How to compare keyboard noise in a shared workspace
Compare keyboards with the same typing, microphone position, and room conditions, then understand what a browser decibel reading can and cannot tell you.
One keyboard may sound quiet at your desk but carry across a shared room. Another may have a lower reading yet produce sharp clicks that people still notice. To compare them fairly, keep the room, microphone, and typing pattern as similar as you can.
The Noise Meter uses your device microphone to show a sound level in decibels. Use it to compare the keyboards on the same device, not as a certified measurement of workplace noise.
Compare the keyboards
- Open the Noise Meter and allow microphone access when your browser asks. Use the same computer or phone and microphone for both keyboards.
- Place the microphone about 12 inches (30 cm) from the keyboard, at the same height and angle for each test. Keep it still, and avoid covering its opening.
- Wait in silence for about 15 seconds. Note the displayed reading while you are not typing. This is your room baseline, which helps you spot fans, conversations, or other steady noise affecting the comparison.
- Type the same passage for 30 seconds at a comfortable, steady pace. Note the typical reading while typing, and any brief high readings you notice.
- Repeat the test with the second keyboard, keeping the microphone position, room, and typing pace the same. Run each keyboard a second time if the readings jump around.
If you are comparing a laptop keyboard with an external keyboard, keep the laptop and microphone in the same place. Move only the external keyboard as needed, and try to keep the distance from the microphone consistent.
What the results mean
One keyboard reads lower in both runs
If the room is quiet and the same keyboard stays lower across repeated tests, it is probably the quieter choice in that setup. Check that the difference is larger than the normal variation you see when repeating the same keyboard test.
The readings are close or keep changing
The two keyboards may be similar in overall level, or background noise may be masking the difference. Repeat the test when the room is quieter. If you can, use a stable microphone stand or mark the microphone position so it does not shift between runs.
The room baseline is already high
A loud fan, nearby conversation, or other activity can make keyboard readings harder to separate from the background. The meter hears all sound near the microphone, not just keystrokes. Pause other noise where practical, or compare the keyboards at a quieter time.
The numbers are similar, but one keyboard sounds sharper
A decibel reading describes sound level, not the character of the sound. A high-pitched click can be distracting even when the overall reading is close to a softer keyboard. Listen from the same position as well as comparing the numbers.
Decibels use a logarithmic scale, so a change in the number is not a simple percentage change. Microphone sensitivity and automatic processing can also affect the displayed value. Treat the readings as a comparison from your setup, not proof that a keyboard meets a particular noise limit.
Make the comparison more reliable
- Keep the room steady. Test both keyboards in the same place, with doors and windows in the same position. Pause nearby music or appliances if you can, and avoid comparing one keyboard during a conversation and the other in silence.
- Check microphone access. If the meter does not respond, allow microphone use in the browser's site permissions and reload the page. On Windows 11, check Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone. On macOS, check System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone and allow your browser.
- Use the same input device and level. On Windows 11, open Settings › System › Sound and check the selected input and its volume. On macOS, open System Settings › Sound › Input and select the same microphone for both tests. Do not change its level between keyboards.
- Repeat a consistent typing pattern. Use the same passage, duration, and approximate pace. If you type much harder or faster on one keyboard, the test compares your typing as well as the keyboards.
- Separate keyboard noise from desk vibration. A hard desk can amplify vibrations from the keyboard case. If you use a desk mat, keep it under both keyboards for the entire comparison, or test both without it.
Compare the sound people actually hear
The microphone reading is only one part of a useful comparison. Ask a coworker to listen from a typical nearby seat, with their agreement, while you type the same passage on each keyboard. Keep the listener's position fixed and avoid recording people without permission.
If one keyboard is more noticeable, a desk mat may reduce vibration traveling through the desk. Typing with a lighter touch can also help. If you are choosing hardware, try a quieter keyboard design or switches made for quieter typing, then repeat the same comparison before deciding.
