Projector Noise Meter — Measure Fan dB(A)
Free in-browser sound-level meter calibrated for projector fan noise measurement. Uses your phone or laptop microphone with A-weighting (the perceptual loudness curve used by industry SPL meters), updates 60 times per second, and tracks peak / average / minimum dB readings throughout the session. Reference levels show how the reading compares to whispers, libraries, fridges and conversations.
How to measure
Turn off other fans, AC, traffic. Background should be 25–30 dB(A).
Place phone exactly 1 metre from projector air outlet. This is the standard measurement distance for AV reviewers.
Normal brightness, normal zoom — not Eco mode unless that's how you watch.
Some projectors' fans cycle. Get a representative average.
Find out how loud your projector's fan really is
- 20–30 dB — whisper at 1 m
- 30–40 dB — quiet library
- 40–50 dB — fridge / quiet office
- 50–60 dB — office / restaurant
- 60+ dB — loud, intrusive in cinema
Measure with the projector at typical zoom and brightness, microphone 1 m from the unit. Calibration is approximate — for absolute accuracy you need a calibrated SPL meter, but relative comparison between projectors is reliable.
