How to Measure Noise | Quiet The Mowers

This guide walks you through the official Quiet The Mowers measurement protocol. Good data wins arguments.

What You'll Need

A sound level meter (Class 2 recommended; we rent them at /measure/rent)

Or a smartphone with a calibrated app (see /measure/buy for recommendations)

A tape measure or laser distance measurer

A notebook or the measurement form (printable PDF at /measure/protocol)

Optional: a tripod for the meter, a camera for photo documentation

The Protocol

1. Choose Your Measurement Location

Measure from a location that represents typical exposure:

**Property line**: The boundary between your property and the noise source

**Indoor equivalent**: A window facing the noise source (note: indoor readings are typically 10-15 dB lower)

**Multiple positions**: For stronger data, measure from 2-3 positions (e.g., property line, 50 ft away, inside near a window)

2. Set Up Your Equipment

Place the sound level meter on a tripod at **ear height (approx. 5 ft / 1.5 m)** above ground

Point the microphone toward the noise source

Set the meter to **A-weighting (dBA)** and **Slow response**

If using a smartphone app, calibrate before each session using the app's calibration tool

Start with the meter in the **MAX** or **recording** mode to capture peak levels

3. Record the Measurement

For each noise event, record:

Field | Description

------- | -------------

Date | YYYY-MM-DD

Time | Local time (HH:MM)

Duration | How long the equipment ran

Equipment type | Gas mower, leaf blower, trimmer, etc.

Peak dB(A) | The highest reading during the event

Average dB(A) | Sustained level (if your meter records this)

Background noise | dB level when equipment is off (baseline)

Distance from source | Estimated or measured in feet

Weather | Wind (affects readings), precipitation

Notes | Anything unusual: multiple machines, echoes, etc.

4. Tips for Good Data

**Measure at different times of day** and on different days to show patterns

**Record baseline readings** — what does your neighborhood sound like when no equipment is running?

**Take photos** of the setup showing the meter position and the noise source

**Record audio or video** as supporting evidence (most smartphones do this well)

**Be consistent** — use the same meter, same position, same settings each time

**Document everything** — good notes make your data usable by campaigns and researchers

5. Upload Your Data

Go to /measure/upload to submit your measurements. You can:

Attach them to an existing campaign

Start a new campaign with your data

Save them as a personal record

Choose your privacy level: public, anonymous-public, or private

Legal Note

Measurements collected using this protocol are intended for advocacy and awareness purposes. They may not meet the standards required for legal evidence. Consult with your campaign or legal advisor if you need court-admissible data.