Live decibel meter for iPhone — dB Pulse

Start with a question you can compare

The most useful first question is specific: does the fan sound quieter on its lower setting, or does closing this door change the reading at my desk? Open the Meter screen, allow microphone access and let the display settle. Put the phone where you actually want to compare the sound, with its microphone uncovered. A reading taken inside a pocket is not interchangeable with a reading at your listening position.

Keep the same position, orientation, microphone and settings when repeating a check. If you move the phone closer to a source at the same time as changing that source, you cannot tell which change caused the different result. Write down the setup before making a before-and-after comparison.

Read more than the large number

The large reading follows the current sound. Minimum, average and maximum give you a broader picture of the measurement period, so a brief passing vehicle does not become your entire description of the room. The approximate sound-reference label adds familiar context; it does not identify the source or prove that a particular machine made the sound.

A maximum answers a different question from an average. One captures a high point; the other describes the accumulated readings. Do not present them as interchangeable. For a useful record, state which value you copied, when you measured and what was happening nearby.

Check the measurement settings

The app exposes frequency-weighting choices in Settings. Use the same choice for comparisons and keep that choice with exported data. Weighting changes the emphasis given to frequencies; it does not remove the limitations of the phone microphone. If two measurements use different settings, a numerical difference may reflect those settings rather than a changed environment.

Calibration can help align a particular setup with a trustworthy reference. Revisit it when changing microphones or accessories. An offset is not a certificate, and matching one reference condition does not prove equal accuracy across all pitches or sound levels.

If readings jump after connecting an accessory, inspect the active input before concluding that the sound source itself became louder.

Choose the right way to keep the result

For a single value, use Copy reading. For a fast check, Quick Measure provides a five-second snapshot. When you need a timeline to review later, start and stop a session using the Meter screen’s session control, then find the saved entry in Sessions. These features answer different needs, so you do not have to create a full report just to remember a reading.

The live meter is free. Pro adds features such as spectrum analysis, advanced alarms, unlimited history and report export. Check the App Store and the app’s purchase screen for current offers rather than treating a feature article as a price quote.

Know when a phone is insufficient

Microphone response, input routing, handling noise and the surrounding space affect the result. A phone is useful for everyday comparisons, but the app is designed for everyday comparisons. It cannot diagnose hearing problems or establish that an exposure is safe. Official workplace or legal measurements need the required equipment and procedure.

Start with the free browser meter if you only need an immediate check. The app is useful when you want native shortcuts, remembered sessions or a more convenient way to revisit the same measurement routine. Neither option turns a consumer microphone into a professional compliance instrument.

Sources

• dB Pulse: Decibel Meter on the App Store
• dB Pulse app privacy policy

Phone and browser readings are estimates. For formal decisions, use the specified equipment and procedure; see the accuracy notes.

Try the next check

Noise dose calculator can help with this question. See the matching dB Pulse feature.