Add multiple decibel levels correctly using logarithmic addition. Enter sound levels in dB to calculate the combined total level, energy sum, loudest source, correction amount, and step-by-step calculation.
Enter levels:
Type two or more dB levels separated by commas, spaces, or new lines.
Convert to linear energy:
Each level is converted using 10 raised to the dB divided by 10.
Add and convert back:
The linear values are added together, then converted back to decibels using 10 × log10.
Decibels use a logarithmic scale, so they do not add like regular numbers. A 60 dB sound plus another 60 dB sound equals about 63 dB because the acoustic energy doubles, not because the dB numbers are added directly.
This calculator is useful for combining multiple sound sources, equipment noise levels, machine noise levels, speaker levels, environmental noise estimates, and acoustic comparisons.
The standard formula for adding multiple decibel levels is:
Total dB = 10 × log10(Σ 10^(Li ÷ 10))
Convert each dB value to linear energy using 10^(dB ÷ 10), add the linear values, then convert back using 10 × log10(total energy).
60 dB plus 60 dB equals about 63 dB, because two equal sound sources add about 3 dB.
Decibels are logarithmic. Adding two equal 60 dB sources doubles the energy, which is a 3 dB increase, not a direct arithmetic sum.
Yes. Enter multiple levels separated by commas, spaces, or new lines. The calculator will add all valid dB values using logarithmic addition.