How Loud is a Gunshot?

Report Highlights: Gunshots produce sounds that vary in volume depending on many factors. On average, gunshots are louder than safe levels.

Gunshots range from 140 to 180 decibels.
Under the right conditions, gunshots can be heard from one to two miles away.
Visual and audial cues are instructive for determining whether a sound is a gunshot or a firework.

Methodology

All data in this article were compiled through review of academic literature, peer-reviewed studies, and industry testing. Decibel (dB) figures represent peak sound pressure level (the loudest point), and were drawn from multiple sources and cross-referenced for accuracy. Industry sources, including suppressor manufacturers, were used where academic data were unavailable.

Measurements, positions, equipment, methodologies, and atmospheric conditions varied across studies, which accounts for differences in reporting across calibers, cartridges, and firearm types. Barrel length is noted where applicable, as it affects reported sound levels.

Distance figures reflect general estimates based on literature and informal tests. The inverse-square law is a theoretical model applied to empirical gunshot data and assumes ideal open-air conditions for sound travel. Real-world results may vary.

How Many Decibels Is a Gunshot?

The sound pressure level of an unsuppressed gunshot ranges from 140 dB to 180 dB depending on sound collection methods, measurement equipment, cartridge, barrel length, atmospheric conditions, and other factors. A .22 LR typically produces the quietest gunshot (around 140 dB), while some reports suggest that .50 BMG is the loudest (up to 180 dB).^{1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

The typical range of a gunshot across academic literature and testing is 150 to 170 dB. The vast majority of modern firearms fall within this range at peak sound pressure level.

Gunshot Decibels by Caliber

On average, handguns produce 157.5 dB. Centerfire rifles average around 160 dB; shotguns, just over 150 dB.²

How Many Decibels Are Handguns?

Pistol cartridges range in sound level from 152 to 169 dB. According to studies and literature, the .32 Long has the quietest report (152.4 dB), followed by .32 ACP (153.5 dB). The .357 Magnum has the loudest sound (up to 169 dB).^{2, 3, 4, 5}

How Many Decibels Are Rifles?

Rimfire and centerfire rifle cartridges range from 140 to 163.6 dB. The .22 LR has the quietest report (around 140 dB), while common hunting rifles range from 159 dB (.308 Winchester) to 163.6 dB (.30-06 Springfield).^{2, 3, 4, 5}

At the extreme end, a 7mm Rem Mag rifle outfitted with a Browning Ballistic Optimizing Shooting System (BOSS) device recorded 166.5 dB. The BOSS is a muzzle brake and compensator which is known to increase the report at the shooter’s ear, compared to a barrel without a muzzle device. Other reports claim that .50 BMG reaches 180 dB, though this figure has not been independently verified in peer-reviewed literature.

How Many Decibels Are Shotguns?

Shotgun shells, including the .410 Bore, range from 150 to 161.5 dB depending on barrel length.^{2, 3, 4, 5}

The smaller .410 Bore ranges from 150 (28″ barrel) to 156.3 dB (18.5″ barrel), while the 20 Gauge ranges from 152.5 (28″ barrel) to 154.75 dB (22″ barrel). 12 Gauge shotguns have the loudest reports of the options listed, ranging from 151.5 (28″ barrel) to 161.5 dB (18.5″ barrel).

How Far Can You Hear a Gunshot?

Under optimal conditions, handgun reports carry up to 1 mile, while rifle and shotgun reports can travel 1 to 2 miles. Cold temperatures, low wind, and flat open terrain may carry sounds even further. Warmer temperatures, high wind, and more pronounced terrain may cause sound to decay faster.^6, 7, 9

In one informal test, the Indiana State Police alongside local journalists reported that both a .45 ACP handgun and an AR-15 pattern rifle could be heard up to 2 miles away.⁶Suppressed gunshots are audible within much shorter distances: typically 22 to 66 yards.⁷

Pääkönen (2008) measured the distances at which gunshots decayed to 65 dBA (A-weighted decibels that account for how the human ears perceive sound, roughly the volume of a normal conversation). According to that study, the .22 LR reached conversation levels at 0.31 miles; pistols at 0.62 miles; tactical rifles at 0.62 miles; and shotguns at 1.24 miles.⁹

The distance over which a gunshot can be heard varies depending on methodology, conditions, and measurement position. Gunshots follow the inverse-square law, which states that a report typically declines by 6 dB every time the distance doubles from 1 meter. For example, under ideal conditions, a 9mm report starting at 163 dB would be 129.8 dB at 50 yards (roughly the sound of a jackhammer).⁸

How to Tell the Difference Between Gunshots and Fireworks?

One way to tell the difference between gunshots and fireworks is the time between explosions. A human finger can only pull a trigger so fast. If the sounds are overlapping, then they’re likely fireworks.

A gunshot produces a sharp, instantaneous crack or pop. Fireworks produce prolonged sounds. Fireworks also have accompanying sounds (whistling, sizzling, or crackling, for example), whereas a gunshot only produces the sound of the initial explosion.

Visual cues are often the most reliable way to confirm what is creating the sound. Fireworks produce visible smoke and bright lights. At a distance, a gunshot’s smoke isn’t visible, and there aren’t bright lights. When auditory and visual cues are combined, distinguishing a gunshot from a firework becomes significantly easier.¹⁰

Wrap-Up

The exact volume of a gunshot depends on a number of factors, including cartridge, barrel length, and atmospheric conditions. Rimfire rifles and some pistols typically produce quieter gunshots than centerfire rifles and shotguns. However, unsuppressed gunshots can still produce sounds above the pain threshold. However, all unsuppressed gunshots produce sounds at or above safe levels.

Under the right conditions, gunfire can be heard 2 miles away. The sound of gunfire decays to conversational levels within 1 to 1.5 miles.

Sources

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Written by Cassandra McBride