How Loud Is a Gunshot? Decibel Levels Explained

Why Are Gunshots So Loud?

A gunshot is one of the loudest sounds most people will ever encounter. When a firearm is discharged, the rapid expansion of propellant gases creates an intense pressure wave that registers between 140 and 165 decibels at the shooter's ear. This happens in a fraction of a second—far too fast for any reflexive response like covering your ears.

To understand the severity, consider that the decibel scale is logarithmic. A gunshot at 160 dB is not merely twice as loud as an 80 dB sound—it represents a sound pressure level roughly 100 million times greater. At this intensity, the hair cells in the cochlea can be permanently destroyed by a single exposure, leading to irreversible hearing loss or chronic tinnitus.

The threshold of pain for human hearing is generally considered to be around 125–140 dB. Every firearm exceeds this threshold, which is why hearing protection is absolutely non-negotiable when shooting.

Decibel Levels by Firearm Type

Different firearms produce different peak sound levels depending on caliber, barrel length, and action type:

• .22 caliber rifle: 140–145 dB — the quietest common firearm, still extremely loud
• 9mm handgun: 157–160 dB — the most popular handgun caliber worldwide
• .45 ACP handgun: 157–162 dB — slightly louder due to larger powder charge
• 12-gauge shotgun: 155–162 dB — varies by load type and barrel length
• .308 rifle: 156–160 dB — common hunting and target rifle
• .357 Magnum revolver: 164–165 dB — among the loudest common handguns

Suppressors (silencers) typically reduce gunshot noise by 20–35 dB. A suppressed 9mm handgun still produces approximately 125–135 dB—still louder than a rock concert and well above safe levels. The idea that suppressors make guns whisper-quiet, as often depicted in movies, is a myth. Even with a suppressor, hearing protection is still recommended.

Critical Hearing Protection for Shooters

Hearing protection is not optional when shooting firearms. The CDC estimates that approximately 50% of recreational shooters have some degree of noise-induced hearing loss. Many hunters report not wearing hearing protection because they need to hear their surroundings, but even a single shot without protection can cause measurable damage.

For maximum protection, many experienced shooters use "double protection"—foam earplugs (NRR 30–33 dB) worn underneath over-ear earmuffs (NRR 25–30 dB). This combination can reduce noise exposure by 36–40 dB, bringing a 160 dB gunshot down to approximately 120–124 dB. Electronic earmuffs are also popular because they amplify normal conversation while instantly cutting off sounds above 85 dB.

If you're setting up a home range or evaluating hearing protection, a sound level meter can help you understand the actual noise levels at different positions around the shooting area. Note that standard sound level meters may not capture the true peak of an impulse sound like a gunshot—you'll need a meter with peak hold or impulse measurement capability.

Measure Ambient Sound Levels

While a phone microphone cannot accurately capture the peak impulse of a gunshot (which would overdrive the mic), you can use our free online decibel meter to measure ambient noise levels at a range, check background noise in your environment, or test other sound sources. For accurate gunshot measurements, a professional-grade impulse sound level meter is required. Check our decibel comparison chart to see where gunshots fall relative to other common sounds.