Decibel Apr 2026

: Dedicated Sound Level Meters (SPL meters) use calibrated microphones to provide high accuracy for workplace or legal standards.

: The scale is not linear. An increase of 10 dB represents a 10-fold increase in sound intensity and roughly a doubling of perceived loudness.

: Named after Alexander Graham Bell, a decibel is literally one-tenth of a "Bel". The Bel itself was found to be too large for common precision. Decibel

: Adding a second identical sound source (e.g., two identical 60 dB vacuum cleaners) increases the total level by only 3 dB , resulting in 63 dB, not 120 dB.

The is a logarithmic unit used to express the ratio between two values, most commonly sound intensity or electrical power. Unlike linear scales (like inches or pounds), the decibel scale compresses vast ranges of numbers into manageable figures, reflecting how human senses—specifically hearing—actually perceive change. Core Concepts : Dedicated Sound Level Meters (SPL meters) use

: A decibel always requires a reference point. In acoustics ( dB SPL ), the reference is

: If one sound is significantly louder than another (by 10 dB or more), the quieter sound barely affects the total decibel reading. Measuring Decibels : Named after Alexander Graham Bell, a decibel

, the threshold of human hearing. In digital audio, (Full Scale) measures signal level relative to the maximum a system can handle before clipping. Examples of Common Decibel Levels