How loud is a gunshot? Gunfire noise can reach levels well over the threshold of pain. Even a single shot can expose your ears to more than 150 dB, enough to cause permanent hearing loss.

Shotguns noise averages 150–156 dB
Rifles range from 155–163 dB
Pistols noise can spike as high as 164.5 dB

Use the gun decibel charts below, based on research by Dr. William Clark and Dr. Krammer, to compare noise levels by firearm type.

Click to download a detailed PDF chart of gunshot decibels.

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Below we have listed critical data describing peak sound pressure levels produced by firearms used in shooting and hunting sports.

A serious byproduct of this exposure is sensory-neural hearing loss, which cannot be restored to normal. With the introduction of MUZZLE BRAKES and PORTING, the risks of hearing loss dramatically increase.

Use this chart as a reference guide for promoting the need of using adequate hearing protection.

Notations – Decibel Reference Levels

Keep in mind that conversational speech is approximately 60-65 dB, and the threshold of pain is considered to be 140 dB.

According to Dr. William Clark, Ph.D. senior research scientist in charge of the NOISE LABORATORY at the Central Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis, the damage caused by one shot from a .357 magnum pistol, which can expose a shooter to 165 dB for 2msec, is equivalent to over 40 hours in a noisy workplace.

How loud is a shotgun?

Dr. Krammer, Ph.D., Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana has documented the following pressure levels (in dB) for various types of shotguns.

Table-1-SHOTGUN-NOISE-DATA-DECIBEL-AVERAGES

.410 Bore	28" barrel	150dB
	26" barrel	150.25dB
	18 1/2" barrel	156.30dB
20 Gauge	28" barrel	152.50dB
	22" barrel	154.75dB
12 Gauge	28" barrel	151.50dB
	26" barrel	156.10dB
	18 1/2" barrel	161.50dB

Dr. Krammer continues to say that shotgun noise averaged slightly more that 150dB. This is approximately 14dB beyond the threshold of pain, and more than sufficient to cause acoustic trauma.

How loud is a rifle?

Rifles tested by Dr. Krammer ranged from 155dB to 163dB. Exact decibel levels varied by the caliber of the firearm and the ammunition used:

Table-2-CENTERFIRE-RIFLE-DATA

.223, 55GR. Commercial load 18 1/2" barrel	155.5dB
.243 in 22" barrel	155.9dB
.30-30 in 20" barrel	156.0dB
7mm Magnum in 20" barrel	157.5dB
.308 in 24" barrel	156.2dB
.30-06 in 24" barrel	158.5dB
.30-06 in 18 1/2" barrel	163.2dB

How loud is a pistol?

Krammer found that sound pressure levels for the various pistols and ammunition tested yielded an average mean of 157.5 dB, which is greater than those previously shown for shotgun and rifle noise levels.

There was also a greater range, from 152.4dB to 164.5dB, representing 12 dB difference, or more than 10 time as much acoustic energy for the top end of the pistol spectrum. It should be noticed that this figure of 164.5 dB approaches the practical limit of impulse noise measurement capability inherent in most modern sound level meters.

Table-3-CENTERFIRE-PISTOL-DATA-2019-10-29.csv

.25 ACP	155.0 dB
.32 LONG	152.4 dB
.32 ACP	153.5 dB
.380	157.7 dB
9mm	159.8 dB
.38 S&W	153.5 dB
.38 Spl	156.3 dB
.357 Magnum	164.3 dB
.41 Magnum	163.2 dB
.44 Spl	155.9 dB
.45 ACP	157.0 dB
.45 COLT	154.7 dB

The above averages are for all types of ammunition used in these firearms, and should be considered fairly representative. No wonder we hear numerous reports about hearing loss as a result of firearms including acoustic traumas that take hearing completely as a result of one shot. Imagine what the noise levels must be when we incorporate muzzle brakes or porting into firearms, or have a gun explode near the ear due to malfunction.

Prevent Gunshot Noise From Causing You Hearing Loss

OUR WARNING IS SIMPLE AND IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF EACH SHOOTER. AS THE SOUND PRESSURES INCREASE, SO DOES THE RISK OF PERMANENT HEARING LOSS.

IF YOU INCORPORATE A PROCEDURE INTO YOUR SHOOTING THAT INCREASES THE SOUND LEVEL, YOU ALSO INCREASE THE RISK OF HEARING LOSS TO YOURSELF AND POSSIBLY THOSE WHO STAND NEAR YOU. BE SURE TO USE ADEQUATE EAR PROTECTION WHEN USING A FIREARM AND BE CAREFUL OF THOSE NEARBY.

LAWSUITS HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR GUNFIRE NOISE THAT HAS RESULTED IN HEARING LOSS.

ALWAYS CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL AUDIOLOGIST, OTOLOGIST, OR OTOLARYNGOLOGIST WITH YOUR HEARING PROBLEMS.

Hearing loss is not fun and can be prevented.

Download Gunfire Noise Level Flyer–PDF (154k).