Contact & Support

If you're having trouble getting the noise meter to work, the most common cause is that your browser hasn't been granted microphone permission. When you open the tool and press Start, your browser should display a permission prompt. You need to select "Allow" for the measurement to begin.

On mobile devices, make sure no other app is currently using the microphone (such as a voice recorder or video call). Some browsers require you to reload the page after granting permission for the first time.

If you're seeing unusually low or high readings, keep in mind that phone microphones are uncalibrated consumer components. Readings can be affected by wind, phone cases covering the microphone, reflections from nearby surfaces, and automatic audio processing applied by your operating system.

Snap Decibel Meter uses the Web Audio API built into modern browsers to analyze the audio signal from your device's microphone in real time. The signal is converted into an estimated decibel reading and displayed alongside a sound classification and session statistics.

All processing happens locally on your device. No audio is recorded, stored, or transmitted to any server. The measurement session exists only while the page is open and is cleared completely when you close or refresh the tab.

Our How It Works page provides a detailed technical walkthrough of the measurement pipeline, including how RMS amplitude is calculated and converted to an estimated dB value.

Before reaching out, we recommend checking our FAQ page. It covers the most common questions we receive, including topics like measurement accuracy, device compatibility, browser support, and the difference between this tool and professional sound level meters.

You'll also find answers about whether the app works offline, how the sound classification feature determines environment types, and what the minimum and maximum dB values shown in the statistics panel represent.

If your question relates to data privacy, microphone usage, or how your information is handled, our Privacy Policy covers this in detail. In short: the microphone signal is processed entirely within your browser and is never transmitted, recorded, or stored in any form.

The website does not require account creation, does not collect personal identifiers, and does not use cookies for advertising or cross-site tracking. We may use minimal analytics to understand general site usage patterns, but this never includes audio data or measurement results.

If you're wondering about the accuracy of readings or whether this tool can be used for professional purposes, our Disclaimer page explains the technical limitations in detail. It also explains why an uncalibrated reading is a signal level rather than a sound pressure level, and what the optional local calibration does and does not change.

The tool is designed for general awareness and educational purposes. It should not be used for occupational safety assessments, legal noise compliance, medical hearing evaluations, or any other context where certified measurements are required.

Our Terms of Service outline the conditions under which you may use Snap Decibel Meter, including acceptable use, intellectual property, limitation of liability, and the nature of the service as a free informational tool. If you have questions about your rights or responsibilities as a user, this is the place to start.

Our Cookie Policy describes the limited cookies used on this website, including essential cookies for site functionality and optional analytics cookies. We do not use advertising cookies, retargeting pixels, or cross-site tracking technologies. You can manage your cookie preferences at any time through the cookie consent banner or your browser settings.

We publish a growing library of articles about sound measurement, noise exposure, hearing protection, and the science of acoustics. If you're looking for information about safe decibel levels, how noise affects health, or tips for reducing noise exposure, our articles section is a comprehensive resource.

These articles are written for general audiences and cover topics ranging from understanding the decibel scale to practical advice for protecting your hearing in everyday situations.