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Decibel Sound Meter

How to record and measure noise from neighbours for a complaint

Record each noise episode with Start Recording, save it with a note and a tag, and film a short clip in the Video tab with the dB level and time on screen. Decibel Sound Meter keeps a dated log with minimum, average and maximum per episode that you can export before talking to the neighbour, landlord or local authority.

4 min read · Updated 2026-09-17

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What makes a noise log useful?

Whoever handles a noise complaint tends to ask the same things: when, for how long, how often and how loud. A log that answers them for every episode is far stronger than just saying the neighbours are loud every night.

  • Date and start time of each episode
  • How long it lasted
  • Average and peak level
  • Where you measured: which room, which wall
  • What it was: music, footsteps, a dog, a party
  • How it affected you: woke you up, stopped you working

How to measure decibels for a noise complaint, step by step

  1. When the noise starts, open the app on the Meter tab. The first time you record, the app asks for location; allow it if you want the place attached to each recording.
  2. Put the phone where you are affected: on the bedside table, or in the middle of the room under an upstairs neighbour. Keep it still and stay quiet.
  3. Tap Start Recording and keep it going for the whole episode, or at least a few minutes. The screen stays awake, and switching apps doesn't stop it.
  4. Tap Stop Recording, then Stop & Save. The Export Report sheet opens; export now or close it.
  5. Open History, tap the session and, in Measurement Details, write what you heard under Notes (Add a note...) and add a tag such as Home or Sleep.
  6. Repeat for every episode. Later, Search notes, locations, tags or Filter by Tag pulls them together.

Add video with the decibel level on screen

A short clip shows what numbers can't: the thumping, the music, the time of night. The Video tab records with the sound level burned into the picture.

  1. On the Video tab, tap the sliders button to open Overlay Settings and check that Current dB Level, Date & Time and Min / Max / Peak are on. They are by default; the same screen is in Settings > Video Recording > Overlay Elements.
  2. Point the camera at a neutral surface such as the ceiling or the shared wall, and record.
  3. When processing finishes, choose Save to Photos, Save to App or Share.

Free videos last up to 15 seconds at 720p with a small watermark. Premium records up to 10 minutes, offers 1080p and removes the watermark.

Export your noise log

Export options for a saved recording
FormatWhat it containsIn the free version
PDF reportDate, duration, device, samples, min/avg/max, chart, location, context, tags, notes and a disclaimer, in EnglishPremium or one ad per export
CSVOne row per sample (time and dB) plus a summaryPremium or one ad per export
Image cardA shareable picture of the measurementPremium or one ad per export
Share SummaryPlain text with the key figuresFree

You'll find them in History > a session: Export as PDF, Export as CSV, Share as Image Card and Share Summary.

How many decibels is too loud for neighbours?

There is no single number. Rules and quiet hours vary by country, city and building, and many authorities judge noise by its character and time of day, not only by decibels. Ask your local authority or landlord what they need before relying on a figure.

For context, the app's Noise Levels reference puts Normal Conversation at 60 dB and a Vacuum Cleaner at 70 dB. Recording a quiet night in the same room also helps: the difference between that and a noisy night is what the neighbours add.

Questions and answers

Can I record my neighbours' noise with my phone?
Measuring the level with the meter saves numbers, not audio. Video records picture and sound, and whether you may record neighbours depends on local law; film neutral surfaces, not people, and check the rules where you live.
Will a phone recording prove my noise complaint?
It helps you describe the problem with dates, durations and levels, but a phone reading is not a measurement by a calibrated instrument. Authorities often ask for a noise diary or take their own measurements; the app's log helps you fill a diary in accurately.
How long should I record each episode?
The whole episode if you can, or at least several minutes, so the average reflects the noise and not one bang. History keeps the last 100 recordings, so export the ones you need to keep.
Does it keep recording at night if I switch apps?
Yes, a running recording continues in the background, and while the app is open the screen stays awake. For a long night, keep the phone on its charger.

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