How loud is a jackhammer?
A percussive breaker that drives a chisel into concrete or rock, powered by compressed air, electricity or hydraulics.
At the operator, compiled from manufacturer declarations and occupational surveys. Well past the level where hearing protection is required.
How that compares
Jackhammer against things of a similar loudness.
How long you can safely listen
About 5 minutes a day before damage risk begins.
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 jackhammer
- How much does a jackhammer weigh? 10–42 kg
- How much does a jackhammer cost? 300–3,500 $
- Jackhammer vs Air compressor Side by side
- Jackhammer vs Lawn mower Side by side
- Jackhammer vs Pressure washer Side by side
Common questions
- How loud is a jackhammer?
- A jackhammer reaches 95–115 dB. At the operator, compiled from manufacturer declarations and occupational surveys. Well past the level where hearing protection is required.
Related pages
- How much does a jackhammer weigh? 10–42 kg
- How much does a jackhammer cost? 300–3,500 $
- How loud is a lawn mower? 80–85 dB
- How loud is a chainsaw? 100–115 dB
- How loud is a generator? 52–82 dB
- How loud is a leaf blower? 65–92 dB
- How loud is a pressure washer? 75–95 dB
- How loud is a air compressor? 60–92 dB
- Jackhammer vs Air compressor Side by side
- Jackhammer vs Lawn mower Side by side
- Jackhammer vs Pressure washer Side by side
Sources
- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place
- What Noises Cause Hearing Loss? — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Public domain (US Government))
- Occupational Noise Exposure — Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Public domain (US Government))