---
title: "How loud is a jackhammer?"
description: "A jackhammer reaches 95–115 dB. How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/loud/jackhammer/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How loud is a jackhammer?

**Typical loudness: 95–115 dB**

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.*

- Fire truck: 110–129 dB
- Ambulance: 110–129 dB
- Chainsaw: 100–115 dB
- Jackhammer: 95–115 dB
- Drum kit: 95–115 dB
- Church bell: 90–120 dB
- Motorcycle: 80–110 dB
- Blender: 80–95 dB

## 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?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/jackhammer/) — 10–42 kg
- [How much does a jackhammer cost?](https://atoneplace.net/cost/jackhammer/) — 300–3,500 $
- [Jackhammer vs Air compressor](https://atoneplace.net/vs/air-compressor-vs-jackhammer/) — Side by side
- [Jackhammer vs Lawn mower](https://atoneplace.net/vs/jackhammer-vs-lawn-mower/) — Side by side
- [Jackhammer vs Pressure washer](https://atoneplace.net/vs/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?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/jackhammer/)
- [How much does a jackhammer cost?](https://atoneplace.net/cost/jackhammer/)
- [How loud is a lawn mower?](https://atoneplace.net/loud/lawn-mower/)
- [How loud is a chainsaw?](https://atoneplace.net/loud/chainsaw/)
- [How loud is a generator?](https://atoneplace.net/loud/generator/)
- [How loud is a leaf blower?](https://atoneplace.net/loud/leaf-blower/)
- [How loud is a pressure washer?](https://atoneplace.net/loud/pressure-washer/)
- [How loud is a air compressor?](https://atoneplace.net/loud/air-compressor/)
- [Jackhammer vs Air compressor](https://atoneplace.net/vs/air-compressor-vs-jackhammer/)
- [Jackhammer vs Lawn mower](https://atoneplace.net/vs/jackhammer-vs-lawn-mower/)
- [Jackhammer vs Pressure washer](https://atoneplace.net/vs/jackhammer-vs-pressure-washer/)

## Sources

- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place (/about/)
- 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)]