How loud is a table saw?
DeWALT declares emission sound pressure levels of 90 to 91 dB(A) for its DWE7485 210 mm table saw and 86 dB(A) for the cordless DCS7485, at the operator in the standard test. In a 2025 field study, hardscapers cutting paving blocks on electric table saws averaged 107.7 dBA, the loudest task among 80 landscaping workers.
- Level
- 86–107.7 dBAA-weighted sound level
- Daily limit
- 2 min 32 s a dayNIOSH, at the loud end
- Versus conversation
- 2,723× energyabout 10.8× as loud
What the numbers mean
How it was measured. Low end: DeWALT-declared LpA for cordless and mains table saws (EN 62841-1). High end: mean task exposure measured with personal dosimeters while hardscapers cut paving blocks on electric table saws with dust capture.
The DWE7485 manual lists LpA 90 to 91 dB(A) and a sound power (LWA) of 107 to 108 dB(A) across its variants. A saw cutting wood in a standard test is not the same as a masonry saw cutting stone: in the landscaping study the electric table saw with dust capture used for paving blocks was the loudest task recorded, at 107.7 dBA, and three hardscapers using these saws had full-shift exposures over 100 dBA.
The study notes that at 107.7 dBA a worker would reach 100% of the NIOSH recommended daily dose in less than 3 minutes.
How long is safe?
NIOSH recommends no more than 2 min 32 s a day at 107.7 dBA (6 h 21 min at 86). OSHA's legal limit is 41 min.
| Level | NIOSH limit (85 dBA, 3 dB rule) | OSHA limit (90 dBA, 5 dB rule) | UK/EU 80 dB(A) action value reached after | UK/EU 85 dB(A) action value reached after |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86 dBA | 6 h 21 min | No limit | 2 h 1 min | 6 h 21 min |
| 107.7 dBA | 2 min 32 s | 41 min | 49 s | 2 min 35 s |
Times are for a whole day’s exposure, with the rest of the day quiet. The workplace limits were written for adults at work, not for children. Work out a mixed day with the noise dose calculator.
Protecting your hearing
Wear hearing protection for any sustained cutting. Sharp blades and the right blade for the material help; for masonry, keep others well back and limit cutting time.
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).
- Symphony orchestra (86–102 dBA): this has about 1.9× its sound energy and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Strimmer (string trimmer) (87.9–101.5 dBA): this has about 1.6× its sound energy and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Circular saw (89–110.4 dBA): it has about 1.9× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.2× as loud.
- Hand dryer (80–121 dBA max): it has about 2.3× the sound energy of this and sounds about 1.3× as loud.
- Normal conversation (55–70 dBA): this has about 2,723× its energy and sounds about 10.8× as loud.
Questions
How loud is a table saw in decibels?
Declared emission levels for DeWALT table saws are 86 to 91 dB(A) at the operator. Cutting paving blocks on electric table saws averaged 107.7 dBA in a field study.
How long can I use a table saw without ear protection?
At the 107.7 dBA measured when cutting paving blocks, the study says a worker would reach 100% of the NIOSH daily recommended dose in less than 3 minutes.
Sources
- DeWALT DCS7485 cordless table saw instruction manual, DeWALT (manufacturer). Supports: dB_low: LpA 86 dB(A).
(emission sound pressure level) dB(A) 86
Checked 2026-11-03. - DeWALT DWE7485 210 mm table saw instruction manual, DeWALT (manufacturer). Supports: LpA 90-91 dB(A).
(emission sound pressure dB(A) 90 90 91
Checked 2026-11-03. - DeWALT DWE7485 210 mm table saw instruction manual, DeWALT (manufacturer). Supports: body: LWA 107-108 dB(A).
(sound power level) dB(A) 107 107 108
Checked 2026-11-03. - Hazardous exposures and engineering controls in the landscaping services industry, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (2025), open access via PMC. Supports: dB_high: 107.7 dBA; body: dose in under 3 min.
At this level of exposure (107.7 dBA), a worker would reach 100% 8-hr TWA dose according to the NIOSH REL in less than 3min.
Checked 2026-11-03. - Hazardous exposures and engineering controls in the landscaping services industry, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (2025), open access via PMC. Supports: body/conditions: paving blocks, full-shift >100 dBA.
Workers exposed to over 100 dBA included three hardscapers who were using electric table saws with a dust-capturing control (saw with control) to cut paving blocks
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.