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

# How loud is a washing machine?

**Typical loudness: 70 dB**

A powered drum that washes clothes, loading either from the top or through a front door.

> CDC lists a washing machine or dishwasher at about 70 dB.

## How that compares

*Washing machine against things of a similar loudness.*

- Hair dryer: 75–95 dB
- Lawn mower: 80–85 dB
- Leaf blower: 65–92 dB
- Air compressor: 60–92 dB
- Vacuum cleaner: 62–85 dB
- Washing machine: 70 dB
- Generator: 52–82 dB
- Air conditioner: 50–70 dB

## How long you can safely listen

Safe for a full day, though prolonged exposure is tiring.

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 washing machine

- [How much does a washing machine weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/washing-machine/) — 55–115 kg
- [How much does a washing machine cost?](https://atoneplace.net/cost/washing-machine/) — 400–1,800 $
- [How long does a washing machine last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/washing-machine/) — 8–14 yr
- [Washing machine vs Refrigerator](https://atoneplace.net/vs/refrigerator-vs-washing-machine/) — Side by side
- [Washing machine vs Oven](https://atoneplace.net/vs/oven-vs-washing-machine/) — Side by side
- [Washing machine vs Water heater](https://atoneplace.net/vs/washing-machine-vs-water-heater/) — Side by side
- [Washing machine vs Freezer](https://atoneplace.net/vs/freezer-vs-washing-machine/) — Side by side
- [Washing machine vs Clothes dryer](https://atoneplace.net/vs/clothes-dryer-vs-washing-machine/) — Side by side
- [Washing machine vs Dishwasher](https://atoneplace.net/vs/dishwasher-vs-washing-machine/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How loud is a washing machine?

A washing machine reaches 70 dB. CDC lists a washing machine or dishwasher at about 70 dB.

## Related pages

- [How much does a washing machine weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/washing-machine/)
- [How much does a washing machine cost?](https://atoneplace.net/cost/washing-machine/)
- [How long does a washing machine last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/washing-machine/)
- [How loud is a air conditioner?](https://atoneplace.net/loud/air-conditioner/)
- [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/)
- [Washing machine vs Refrigerator](https://atoneplace.net/vs/refrigerator-vs-washing-machine/)
- [Washing machine vs Oven](https://atoneplace.net/vs/oven-vs-washing-machine/)
- [Washing machine vs Water heater](https://atoneplace.net/vs/washing-machine-vs-water-heater/)
- [Washing machine vs Freezer](https://atoneplace.net/vs/freezer-vs-washing-machine/)
- [Washing machine vs Clothes dryer](https://atoneplace.net/vs/clothes-dryer-vs-washing-machine/)
- [Washing machine vs Dishwasher](https://atoneplace.net/vs/dishwasher-vs-washing-machine/)

## 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)]