How loud is a shotgun?
Shotguns produce mean peak sound pressure levels of about 152 to 170 dB at the shooter's ear, according to a 2017 review of recreational firearm measurements. ASHA's chart lists a shotgun at 150 dB peak and a US Army fact sheet groups the shotgun with the M16 rifle at 160 dB.
- Level
- 150–170 dB peakunweighted peak sound pressure level
- Daily limit
- No safe unprotected exposureimpulse noise
What the numbers mean
How it was measured. Mean unweighted peak levels for shotguns at the left ear of a right-handed shooter (about 152 to 170 dB, 2017 review); ASHA chart 150 dBP; US Army fact sheet 160 (weighting not stated).
In the review's ranking, shotguns sit between centre-fire rifles and pistols. The authors note it is much easier to wear plugs and muffs together on a target range than when bird hunting in heavy woodland, where earmuffs catch on brush.
How dangerous is a 150–170 dB peak?
A peak of 170 dB is at or above 140 dB, the impulse limit used by NIOSH and OSHA and the EU and UK exposure limit value. A single exposure at close range can damage hearing.
| Rule | Peak limit | This sound |
|---|---|---|
| UK and EU lower exposure action value | 135 dB(C) | Above |
| UK and EU upper exposure action value | 137 dB(C) | Above |
| UK and EU exposure limit value; NIOSH and OSHA impulse ceiling | 140 dB | Above |
Protecting your hearing
Wear plugs and muffs on the clay range. For hunting, electronic earplugs or muffs preserve awareness while limiting the shot.
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.
Questions
How many decibels is a 12 gauge shotgun?
Shotguns produce about 152 to 170 dB peak at the shooter's ear in published measurements.
Sources
- Prevention of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss from Recreational Firearms, Seminars in Hearing (2017), open access via PMC. Supports: dB_high: 170 dB peak; 152.
Shotguns ∼152–170
Checked 2026-11-03. - Loud Noise Dangers (noise chart), asha.org public information page (credited to the Communication Health Support Association). Supports: dB_low: 150 dB peak.
150 dBP = fireworks at 3 feet, firecracker, shotgun
Checked 2026-11-03. - Noise and Hearing Loss, fact sheet 51-001-0902, US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (archived 2004). Supports: 160 (Army fact sheet).
M60 Machine Gun, M16 Rifle, Shotgun — 160
Checked 2026-11-03.
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.