Whether you work with sound professionally or as a hobbyist, it is increasingly common to ask yourself: How to measure decibels with your mobile phoneUsing your smartphone as a tool to detect ambient noise levels can not only help you prevent discomfort or damage to your hearing, but it is also very useful for knowing if an environment is healthy, especially at home, in the office, or even for gathering evidence in the face of coexistence problems or supporting initiatives to reduce noise. noise pollution.
In this article you will discover everything you need to know about mobile decibel meters, how they work, what apps exist, and which ones best suit your needs. We'll explain the purpose of noise measurement, its limitations, and how you can get the most out of apps, emphasizing the most relevant and practical information. You'll also find helpful tips for interpreting the results and understanding the differences between apps and professional measurement equipment.
What are decibels and why measure noise?
El decibel (dB) It is the unit with which the intensity or acoustic pressure Sound intensity. It's a logarithmic scale used to compare the amplitude of sound relative to a reference level. In everyday practice, decibels are used to assess whether an environment is too noisy. For example, normal conversations are around 60 dB, heavy traffic can reach 85-90 dB, and a nightclub often exceeds 100 dB.
Measuring decibels is crucial because the Prolonged exposure to loud noises can cause irreversible hearing damage.Occupational health regulations indicate recommended maximum levels to prevent injuries, and in daily life, it is also important to control noise to create pleasant, productive, and healthy environments.
- Below 70 dB: The noise level is generally considered safe.
- Between 70-85 dB: Moderate risk, it is advisable to reduce exposure.
- More than 85 dB: potentially dangerous levels if exposure is prolonged.
Therefore, controlling the decibel level helps to prevent health problems, avoid inconveniences and comply with regulations in the work, home or educational environment.
How decibel measurement apps work on mobile phones
Modern smartphones come equipped with microphones capable of capturing voices and even ambient sounds, although their design focuses primarily on the human voice. Decibel measurement apps leverage this microphone to analyze ambient sound in real time, apply calculation algorithms, and display the recorded level on the screen.
These apps, also known as digital sound level meters or sound pressure level (SPL) meters, can display information in different formats: instantaneous value, minimum, maximum, average or even historical graphs and reference bars.
Technical limitations to take into account:
- La precision It depends on the type of microphone and its quality.
- Many phones limit the pickup of loud sounds, so Sounds above about 90 dB may not be detected correctly.
- La calibration of the device greatly influences the results. Some apps allow manual calibration to improve reliability.
- background noise or the mobile phone case may affect the measurement.
- They do not replace a professional sound level meter, especially in legal contexts or where official certification is required.
However, for a home, educational or preliminary diagnostic use, are an excellent free or low-cost tool, very accessible to any user.
When is it useful to measure decibels with a mobile phone?
- Detect domestic noise pollution: Check whether the noise level at home affects your rest, study, or health.
- Use in work environments: Identify hazardous areas or comply with safety recommendations in offices, workshops, factories, or educational centers.
- Gather evidence for a complaint: Apps can be useful for recording the intensity of a disturbing noise (e.g., noisy neighbors), although they do not replace an official measurement.
- Health and prevention: Avoid excessive exposure at concerts, bars or entertainment venues.
- Evaluate sound insulation: Check if a new enclosure, window or door reduces outside noise.
Top decibel measuring apps for Android
Below, we show you a selection of the most reliable, popular, and practical apps for measuring noise levels with your Android phone. All are available on the Google Play Store and have free versions. Remember that accuracy may vary depending on your device.
Sound Level Meter by Splend Apps
This app is one of the most downloaded and rated in the industry. Splend Apps Sound Level Meter It allows you to measure the ambient noise level in decibels using the device's microphone, displaying the numerical value and a graph in real time.
- Offer instantaneous measurement, graphs and displays minimum, maximum and average values.
- Includes practical examples of everyday situations to compare the noise level obtained.
- Su interface is simple and friendly, ideal for users of any level.
- It has banner advertising, which can be removed with a small one-time payment.
Important note: Device microphones are typically calibrated for the human voice, so they may have limitations when measuring particularly loud sounds (over 90 dB). Also, the hardware's automatic gain control system can affect the measurement. Therefore, use it as an approximation or reference tool.
Decibel X by SkyPaw
Decibel X stands out for its intuitive interface and offers more features than most free apps. It allows you to measure sound intensity and generates real-time graphs showing the decibel level in the environment.
- You can Photos and videos with sound levels overlaid captured, which is ideal for documenting incidents or analyzing noise sources.
- It includes calibration and customization modes the appearance of the interface (themes, language, units, etc.).
- Allows the recording and saving of audios associated with measurements.
- Offers a bottom toolbar to quickly access the different functions.
The free version is functional, but a paid subscription unlocks premium features: removing ads, saving recordings, recording for longer periods of time, running the app in the background, and more advanced options.
Sound Meter by ABC Apps
This option is ideal for those looking for a minimalist and simple app. Sound Meter offers the possibility of calibrate the device depending on the environment, showing a graph in real time with the decibel values captured.
- It does not require any additional permissions other than microphone access.
- It doesn't run in the background, so it consumes less power.
- It offers a permanent banner ad at the top, which cannot be removed with a payment.
It is especially useful for quick and hassle-free measurementsWith proper calibration, it is ideal for measuring noise in a room, classroom, or office.
Sound and Decibel Meter by Tools Dev
This app stands out for its overlay interface, which sits on the Android home screen, allowing you to view your measurement while using other apps.
- Allows save and record the results of measurements, as well as pausing and restarting the counter.
- Includes calibration button and examples of common noise levels.
- Ads are more prevalent than in other apps, but you can remove them by watching five video ads, free of charge.
- It can run in the background without a subscription and can be opened from the notification bar for ease of use.
Sound Meter (GameBasic SPL meter)
Another app worth highlighting is sound meter from GameBasic, very popular among Android users. It displays the decibel level using needle-like indicators, a noise reference, minimum, maximum, and average values, as well as a line graph and the elapsed time of the measurement.
- Allows you to calibrate the decibel meter for each device.
- Facilitates the comparison of everyday noises with built-in examples.
- Remember that, like other applications, accuracy depends on the hardware.
Its graphic appearance is organized and high-frequency, which helps to visualize information clearly and quickly.
What limitations do mobile apps have compared to professional equipment?
Although applications to measure decibels are increasingly sophisticated, there are important differences compared to the professional measuring equipment noise, which is worth knowing:
- Limited precision: The apps rely on the phone's microphone, which isn't designed for accurate sound pressure measurement, but rather for capturing the human voice. This results in lower accuracy and a smaller dynamic range (making it difficult to measure both very low and very high sounds).
- Irregular calibration: Professional devices are calibrated regularly and can adapt to environmental conditions, while apps only allow simple or manual calibration and typically don't adapt to changing conditions.
- Restricted dynamic range: While a professional sound level meter can measure sounds from a whisper to extremes, mobile phones often fail to detect sounds above 90 dB or below 30 dB.
- Registration and advanced functionality: Professional devices can store measurements for long periods, record values by frequency band, detect different types of noise (impulse, low frequency, etc.), and present certifiable reports. Apps, on the other hand, are designed for casual use and everyday diagnostics.
- Influence of the environment: The body of the phone itself, the way it is held, or internal noise (vibrations, processor, etc.) can affect the measurement, as can a nearby case or accessories.
So, are decibel measuring apps useful? Yes, they are extremely useful for initial diagnosis, for comparing situations, and for raising awareness about noise pollution, but in situations where complete accuracy or legal validity is required, it is essential to use equipment certified by accredited laboratories.
Tips to improve the accuracy of measurements with your mobile phone
If you want to get the best possible results using your smartphone as a decibel meter, follow these recommendations:
- Keep your phone away from surfaces and objects that can reflect or absorb sound., such as walls, furniture or curtains.
- Avoid covering the microphone or placing your phone on soft surfaces.
- Disable other apps that may be playing or recording sound at the same time.
- Make several measurements at different points and times to obtain a more reliable average.
- Use the function of app calibration if available.
- If you need to measure levels higher than those detected by your phone, consider using a certified external microphone (when the app allows it) or a professional sound level meter.
Are there options to measure noise using a browser or on a PC?
In addition to mobile applications, today there are online decibel meters that work from your computer or tablet's browser. For example, some websites offer online sound level meters that are useful in educational settings, such as online noise traffic light, a tool that acts as an incentive to maintain silence in classrooms, libraries, or meetings, displaying an on-screen alert (similar to a traffic light) based on the level detected. These versions typically include sensitivity adjustments, calibration, and gamified rewards to encourage good acoustic behavior, although, again, they are no substitute for official equipment in terms of accuracy.
When to use professional noise measurement equipment
Mobile apps are perfect for quick measurements, informal checks, or awareness raising. However, if you need to:
- Official studies to comply with labor or environmental regulations.
- Present evidence in legal disputes.
- Analyze noise levels over long periods or by specific frequency bands.
- Measurements in industrial, construction or extreme noise environments.
In these cases, it is essential to resort to authorized laboratories o certified equipment whose calibration is validated according to international regulations.
Key points for choosing the best decibel measurement app
- Verify that the app has a good rating and review in the official store.
- Prefer apps that allow calibration and display graphs of values.
- Look for extra features like the documentation with photos/videos or background recording if you need proof.
- Consider the presence of ads and the possibility of eliminating them.
- Always read the privacy policy before granting microphone and camera permissions.
Currently, most of these apps are specially designed for Android, although there are alternatives for iOS such as the NIOSH Sound Level Meter. If you want to explore more options, we recommend checking out our section on essential apps for Android.
More and more users are turning to their mobile phones to measure sound pressure, whether for curiosity, health, work, or socializing. As you've seen, Android decibel measuring apps offer a quick and easy solution for monitoring ambient noise., helping to take care of hearing health, improve the home environment and contribute to a more respectful coexistence.