How loud is a lawn mower?
A petrol lawn mower typically measures 85 to 95 decibels at the operator's ear. Electric and battery mowers usually sit 10 to 15 dB lower. At 90 dB the safe daily exposure is under three hours, so ear defenders are sensible for a long mow.
Written by [NAME] · Reviewed by [NAME] · Last reviewed: [DATE]
Typical sound level
| Sound | Typical level | Measured at |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol walk-behind mower, operator position | 85–95 dB | At the handle, operator's ear height |
How it compares to other sounds
| Level | Typical sound | Safe daily exposure |
|---|---|---|
| 70 dB | Vacuum cleaner, busy office, shower | No exposure limit |
| 85 dB | Heavy traffic, noisy restaurant, gas lawn mower | 8 hours |
| 90 dB | Hair dryer at close range, blender | 3 hours |
| 95 dB | Motorcycle, subway train | 48 minutes |
Rows are taken from the full decibel chart. Safe exposure follows the NIOSH recommended exposure limit of 85 dBA for eight hours with a 3 dB exchange rate.
Can this level affect your hearing?
Yes, with sustained use. Mowing is one of the most common ways people exceed the 85 dBA eight-hour limit at home. A single 30-minute cut at 90 dB uses a large share of the day's safe dose, and adding a strimmer or leaf blower afterwards easily pushes past it.
Sources
NIOSH, Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Noise Exposure — 85 dBA / 8 hours limit.
OSHA, Occupational Noise Exposure — US workplace limits and hearing protection.
Exact measured mower levels by model type: [NEEDS SOURCE LINK: published lawn mower sound level measurement]