---
title: "How loud is a air conditioner?"
description: "An air conditioner reaches 50–70 dB. How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/loud/air-conditioner/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How loud is a air conditioner?

**Typical loudness: 50–70 dB**

A refrigeration circuit that moves heat out of a room, in a window box, a split system or ducted central plant.

> CDC groups an air conditioner with normal conversation at about 60 dB.

## How that compares

*Air conditioner against things of a similar loudness.*

- Air compressor: 60–92 dB
- Vacuum cleaner: 62–85 dB
- Washing machine: 70 dB
- Generator: 52–82 dB
- Air conditioner: 50–70 dB
- Dehumidifier: 42–58 dB
- Dishwasher: 38–62 dB
- Air purifier: 24–60 dB

## How long you can safely listen

No exposure limit — this is below the level that damages hearing.

Decibels are logarithmic, which makes the intuitive arithmetic wrong in a way worth knowing: every 10 dB is ten times the sound energy, and two identical sources together are 3 dB louder than one — not double. So two 70 dB fans are 73 dB, not 140 dB.

> Levels are measured at roughly one metre unless stated otherwise. Sound falls off with distance — about 6 dB per doubling — so the same appliance is noticeably quieter across a room than beside your ear.

## More about an air conditioner

- [How much does a air conditioner weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/air-conditioner/) — 15–60 kg
- [How much does a air conditioner cost?](https://atoneplace.net/cost/air-conditioner/) — 180–1,200 $
- [How long does a air conditioner last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/air-conditioner/) — 8–20 yr
- [Air conditioner vs Dishwasher](https://atoneplace.net/vs/air-conditioner-vs-dishwasher/) — Side by side
- [Air conditioner vs Washing machine](https://atoneplace.net/vs/air-conditioner-vs-washing-machine/) — Side by side
- [Air conditioner vs Dehumidifier](https://atoneplace.net/vs/air-conditioner-vs-dehumidifier/) — Side by side
- [Air conditioner vs Oven](https://atoneplace.net/vs/air-conditioner-vs-oven/) — Side by side
- [Air conditioner vs Refrigerator](https://atoneplace.net/vs/air-conditioner-vs-refrigerator/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How loud is an air conditioner?

An air conditioner reaches 50–70 dB. CDC groups an air conditioner with normal conversation at about 60 dB.

## Related pages

- [How much does a air conditioner weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/air-conditioner/)
- [How much does a air conditioner cost?](https://atoneplace.net/cost/air-conditioner/)
- [How long does a air conditioner last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/air-conditioner/)
- [How loud is a washing machine?](https://atoneplace.net/loud/washing-machine/)
- [How loud is a dishwasher?](https://atoneplace.net/loud/dishwasher/)
- [How loud is a vacuum cleaner?](https://atoneplace.net/loud/vacuum-cleaner/)
- [How loud is a blender?](https://atoneplace.net/loud/blender/)
- [How loud is a hair dryer?](https://atoneplace.net/loud/hair-dryer/)
- [How loud is a dehumidifier?](https://atoneplace.net/loud/dehumidifier/)
- [How loud is a air purifier?](https://atoneplace.net/loud/air-purifier/)
- [Air conditioner vs Dishwasher](https://atoneplace.net/vs/air-conditioner-vs-dishwasher/)
- [Air conditioner vs Washing machine](https://atoneplace.net/vs/air-conditioner-vs-washing-machine/)
- [Air conditioner vs Dehumidifier](https://atoneplace.net/vs/air-conditioner-vs-dehumidifier/)
- [Air conditioner vs Oven](https://atoneplace.net/vs/air-conditioner-vs-oven/)
- [Air conditioner vs Refrigerator](https://atoneplace.net/vs/air-conditioner-vs-refrigerator/)

## Sources

- What Noises Cause Hearing Loss? — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/what_noises_cause_hearing_loss.html) [Public domain (US Government)]
- Occupational Noise Exposure — Occupational Safety and Health Administration (https://www.osha.gov/noise) [Public domain (US Government)]