At One Place

How loud is a dishwasher?

Typical loudness
38–62 dB

A built-in cabinet that washes dishes with heated water and detergent on a timed cycle.

Manufacturer dBA ratings for current built-in models. CDC lists older dishwashers at around 70 dB.

How that compares

Dishwasher 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 a dishwasher

Common questions

How loud is a dishwasher?
A dishwasher reaches 38–62 dB. Manufacturer dBA ratings for current built-in models. CDC lists older dishwashers at around 70 dB.

Related pages

Sources

  1. Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place
  2. What Noises Cause Hearing Loss? — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Public domain (US Government))
  3. Occupational Noise Exposure — Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Public domain (US Government))

How these figures are compiled and checked