How loud is a starter pistol?
Starter pistols firing blanks produce mean peak levels of about 148 to 165 dB at the shooter's ear, according to a 2017 review. In a study of two .22 calibre starter pistols, peak levels exceeded 164 dB at all measurement positions around the gun.
- Level
- 148–165 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 at the shooter's left ear for starter pistols firing blanks (review range about 148 to 165 dB); a NIOSH-led study of .22 starter pistols found peaks above 164 dB at all measurement positions around the gun.
Starter pistols have a blocked barrel, so the gas escapes sideways near the cylinder, close to the official's hand and head. The study found the .22 starter pistol was 22.5 dB higher at the cylinder microphone than a .22 revolver firing the same blanks.
In a simulated running track, both the shooter and the nearest athlete positions exceeded the 140 dB peak limit used by NIOSH.
How dangerous is a 148–165 dB peak?
A peak of 165 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 |
Children
Young athletes on the start line are close to the gun; electronic start systems avoid the impulse altogether.
Protecting your hearing
Officials should wear hearing protection; electronic start systems with loudspeakers behind each lane remove the hazard.
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 loud is a starting gun?
About 148 to 165 dB peak at the shooter's ear for blank-firing starter pistols.
Sources
- Prevention of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss from Recreational Firearms, Seminars in Hearing (2017), open access via PMC. Supports: dB_low/high: 148-165 dB peak.
Starter pistols (blanks) ∼148–165
Checked 2026-11-03. - Impulse noise generated by starter pistols, International Journal of Audiology (2013), author manuscript via PMC. Supports: body: above 164 dB.
Peak levels exceed 164 dB SPL for both firearms at all measurement positions.
Checked 2026-11-03. - Impulse noise generated by starter pistols, International Journal of Audiology (2013), author manuscript via PMC. Supports: body: 22.5 dB higher.
The peak SPL measured at the chamber/cylinder microphone was 22.5 dB higher for the .22 starter pistol shooting blanks than for the .22 revolver firing the same ammunition
Checked 2026-11-03. - Impulse noise generated by starter pistols, International Journal of Audiology (2013), author manuscript via PMC. Supports: body: exceeded 140 dB.
both the shooter and the nearest athlete positions exceeded impulse noise limits as specified by NIOSH (140 dB SPL peak )
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.