How loud is a refrigerator?
A running refrigerator is about 40 to 43 dBA, according to a household noise table published in Environmental Health Perspectives. That is roughly the level of a quiet room, well below normal conversation, and nowhere near a level that harms hearing.
- Level
- 40–43 dBAA-weighted sound level
- Daily limit
- No daily limitNIOSH, at the loud end
- Versus conversation
- 1/126 energyabout 4.3× quieter
What the numbers mean
How it was measured. Typical running hum of a household fridge from a compiled table of household sound levels; measuring distance not stated and the table notes the figures are approximate.
Most of a fridge's sound comes from the compressor and the fan that moves air over the coils. Both cycle on and off, which is why the kitchen seems to go suddenly quiet when the compressor stops. The 40 to 43 dBA range comes from a compiled 'Counting Decibels' table in Environmental Health Perspectives, which drew on NIDCD, EPA and Noise Pollution Clearinghouse figures and says its measurements are approximate and may vary by source.
In the same table a quiet room sits at 28 to 33 dBA and a computer at 37 to 45 dBA, so a fridge is in the same band as a desktop computer. Because the hum is low-pitched and constant, it is easy to tune out, but it can be noticeable at night in an open-plan kitchen and living space.
Fridge noise usually rises with age or poor installation: a unit that is not level, a cabinet touching a wall or worktop, or a dusty condenser fan can add rattles and buzzing that are louder than the base hum.
Is it safe?
Below 85 dBA, the level NIOSH allows for a full 8-hour day. At this level, sound is not a hearing risk however long it lasts, though it can still disturb sleep or concentration.
Protecting your hearing
No hearing protection is needed. If a fridge has become noticeably louder, check it is level, pull it a few centimetres away from the wall and clean the condenser coils.
Earplug and earmuff ratings (NRR in the US, SNR in the UK and EU) are lab figures; real-world protection is usually lower. How to read the ratings.
Compared with sounds nearby
Using midpoints of each range. Energy multiplies by 10 every 10 dB; perceived loudness roughly doubles (why).
- Rustling leaves (10–20 dBA): this has about 447× its sound energy and sounds about 6.3× as loud.
- Private office (32–34.8 dBA): this has about 6.5× its sound energy and sounds about 1.8× as loud.
- Open-plan office (49–55 dBA): it has about 11× the sound energy of this and sounds about 2.1× as loud.
- Snoring (45–61.7 dBA max): it has about 15× the sound energy of this and sounds about 2.3× as loud.
- Normal conversation (55–70 dBA): conversation has about 126× the energy of this.
Questions
Is 40 dB loud for a fridge?
No. Around 40 to 43 dBA is typical for a running fridge in the Environmental Health Perspectives table, similar to a quiet computer.
Why does my fridge go quiet and then start humming again?
The compressor cycles on and off to hold the temperature. The hum you hear is mostly the compressor and fan running.
Sources
- Decibel Hell: The Effects of Living in a Noisy World, Environmental Health Perspectives (NIEHS). Supports: dB_low/dB_high: 40 to 43 dBA.
Refrigerator 40–43
Checked 2026-11-02. - Decibel Hell: The Effects of Living in a Noisy World, Environmental Health Perspectives (NIEHS). Supports: caveat on the table.
Measurements are approximate and may vary by source
Checked 2026-11-02.
This page is general information, not medical advice. If you have ringing in your ears, muffled hearing or any change in your hearing, see an audiologist or your doctor.