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Animal lists · 12 entries

The Loudest Animals on Earth

The sperm whale produces the loudest biological clicks on record at around 230 decibels re 1 μPa — used for echolocation, not communication — while the howler monkey has the loudest sustained land-animal call at roughly 140 decibels at one metre.

Updated 25 July 2026

Decibels are logarithmic, so the gap between 140 dB and 230 dB is not a modest increment — it is orders of magnitude. Comparing a whale click measured underwater with a monkey call measured in air also requires caution, because the media differ and direct comparison is imperfect.

This list gives the best-documented peak sound levels for each species, with the measurement context stated. Communication calls and echolocation clicks are separated where the distinction matters, because they serve different functions and are measured differently.

How this list was compiled

Entries are ranked by peak sound pressure level in decibels where instrumented measurements exist. Measurement distance and medium (air vs water) are noted because they affect the figure. Calls used for communication and clicks used for echolocation are distinguished. Figures from single observations are flagged. Infrasound below human hearing range is included where it carries biological significance.

The Loudest Animals on Earth

  1. Sperm whale

    ~230 dB re 1 μPa (clicks, underwater)

    The loudest biological sound measured. Used for echolocation, not vocal communication.

  2. Blue whale

    ~188 dB re 1 μPa (calls, underwater)

    Low-frequency calls travel thousands of kilometres. Among the loudest communication signals known.

  3. Howler monkey

    ~140 dB at 1 m (air)

    The loudest land animal call measured. Amplified by a enlarged hyoid bone acting as a resonating chamber.

  4. Bulldog bat

    ~137 dB (echolocation, air)

    Loudest echolocating bat recorded. Calls are ultrasonic and inaudible to humans.

  5. Kakapo

    ~132 dB (booming display, air)

    The lek-booming parrot can be heard kilometres away. Among the loudest bird vocalisations.

  6. Elephant

    ~117 dB (air); infrasound to ~14 Hz

    Infrasonic rumbles travel further than audible calls and may be the primary long-distance signal.

  7. Lion

    ~114 dB (roar, air)

    Roars advertise territory and can be heard up to eight kilometres in open savanna.

  8. Hyena

    ~112 dB (whoop, air)

    Spotted hyena whoops carry over long distances and identify individuals.

  9. Cicada

    ~106 dB (air, chorus)

    Among the loudest insects. Sound produced by tymbal organs, not vocal cords.

  10. Humpback whale

    ~174 dB (song, underwater)

    Complex songs lasting up to 20 minutes. Loud but less intense than sperm whale clicks.

  11. Pistol shrimp

    ~218 dB (cavitation bubble, underwater)

    The snap creates a cavitation bubble, not a vocal call. Included because it is among the loudest biological sounds in the ocean.

  12. Common koel

    ~100+ dB (call, air)

    Among the loudest bird calls in Australia. Males call persistently during breeding season.

Key facts

  • The sperm whale produces the loudest measured biological sound at around 230 decibels — echolocation clicks, not calls.
  • Underwater and airborne decibel figures are not directly comparable because the measurement media differ.
  • The howler monkey has the loudest sustained land-animal vocalisation at roughly 140 decibels.
  • Many loudest-animal lists conflate echolocation clicks, communication calls and mechanical sounds such as pistol shrimp snaps.
  • Infrasound — below human hearing — is the primary long-distance signal for elephants and some whales.
  • Decibels are logarithmic: each 10 dB increase represents roughly ten times the sound intensity.

The Loudest Animals on Earth: frequently asked questions

What is the loudest animal in the world?
The sperm whale, with echolocation clicks measured at around 230 decibels re 1 μPa underwater. The blue whale produces louder communication calls than any other animal, at around 188 decibels.
What is the loudest land animal?
The howler monkey, with calls reaching roughly 140 decibels at one metre. Its enlarged hyoid bone acts as a resonating chamber.
Can whale sounds be heard by humans?
Some low-frequency blue whale calls are within human hearing range and have been recorded on hydrophones. Sperm whale clicks are primarily ultrasonic in their energy distribution.
Why is the pistol shrimp on a loudest-animals list?
Because its claw snap creates a cavitation bubble that collapses with a sound around 218 decibels underwater. It is a mechanical sound, not a vocalisation, but it is among the loudest biological noises in the ocean.
Are cicadas louder than lions?
Measured peak levels can be comparable in decibels, but cicada choruses are produced by thousands of individuals synchronising. A single cicada is far quieter than a lion roar.
How is animal loudness measured?
With hydrophones underwater or sound pressure meters in air, recording peak decibels at a stated distance. Measurement method and distance significantly affect the figure.

Sources

How we check facts: our sourcing standards →

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