| Feature | Sones | Decibels (dB) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Perceived loudness (how your brain interprets sound) | Sound pressure level (physical energy of sound waves) | | Scale | Linear (2 is twice as loud as 1) | Logarithmic (10 dB increase sounds roughly twice as loud) | | Best for | Comparing product noise (fans, hoods, appliances) | Scientific measurement, hearing safety |
A fan rated at 4 sones sounds exactly twice as loud as a fan rated at 2 sones. But a 50 dB fan does not sound twice as loud as a 40 dB fan (it takes about a 10 dB increase to perceive a doubling of loudness). The Sones to Decibels Conversion (Approximate) Since sones and decibels measure different things, conversion isn’t exact. However, for typical fan noise (mid-to-high frequencies), this table is widely accepted: sones definition
If you’ve ever shopped for a bathroom exhaust fan, a range hood, or an industrial blower, you’ve probably seen a specification labeled “sones.” But unlike decibels (dB), which most people have heard of, sones remain a mystery to many. | Feature | Sones | Decibels (dB) |
Have a question about a specific product’s sone rating? Drop it in the comments below. for typical fan noise (mid-to-high frequencies)