Ratings, Testing & Mass

Tire Noise Comparator

Compare tire noise measurements in decibels under matched protocols. Convert dB gaps into sound energy ratios and perceived loudness.

Ratings, Testing & Mass

Compare noise measurements under matched protocols.

Open Live Calculator

Tire Noise Comparator: Tire Size Inputs

Compare two tire sizes here. Use the formulas and reference tables below for this tool's specific calculation.

ISO/TRA Compliant

Baseline Tire (T1)Stock OEM

Width (mm)

Aspect (%)

Rim (in)

Comparison Tire (T2)Proposed Setup

Width (mm)

Aspect (%)

Rim (in)

Baseline OD634.3 mm24.97"

Comparison OD637.2 mm25.09"

Diameter Variance+2.9 mm+0.46%

Speed @ 60 MPH60.3 MPH-4 revs/mi

How Tire Noise Comparator Works?

The Tire Noise Comparator works by subtracting one decibel value from the other and converting the gap into a sound energy ratio and a perceived loudness ratio. The tool uses 4 steps.

Match the protocol
Confirm both values use the same method, for example the EU label pass-by test at 80 km/h (50 mph).
Enter both values
Type the noise levels, for example 69 dB and 72 dB.
Compute the ratios
The comparator returns 2.00× sound energy and 1.23× perceived loudness for the 3 dB gap.
Read the label class
The comparator shows the EU label noise class for each value when the scheme is the EU label.

Tire Noise Comparator Formula

The Tire Noise Comparator formula is Energy ratio = 10^(ΔdB ÷ 10), and perceived loudness is 2^(ΔdB ÷ 10).

GapΔdB = L₂ − L₁

Sound energy ratioE₂ ÷ E₁ = 10^(ΔdB ÷ 10)

Perceived loudness ratio≈ 2^(ΔdB ÷ 10)

L₁, L₂: Measured noise levels (dB)
ΔdB: Decibel gap

Worked example

A 66 dB tire against a 72 dB tire is a 6 dB gap. The louder tire emits 3.98× the sound energy and sounds about 1.52× as loud.

Tire Noise Comparator Conversion Table

The Tire Noise Comparator conversion table converts 6 decibel gaps into energy and loudness ratios.

Decibel gaps converted to ratios
dB gap	Sound energy ratio	Perceived loudness ratio	Effect
1 dB	1.26×	1.07×	Barely noticeable
2 dB	1.58×	1.15×	Barely noticeable
3 dB	2.00×	1.23×	Clearly noticeable
5 dB	3.16×	1.41×	Clearly noticeable
6 dB	3.98×	1.52×	Large difference
10 dB	10.00×	2.00×	Large difference

What is Tire Noise Comparator?

A Tire Noise Comparator is a tool that compares tire noise measurements on a logarithmic decibel scale. A small number gap hides a large energy gap: 3 dB doubles the sound energy.

The EU label measures external pass-by noise, the noise heard by people outside the car. Interior noise depends on the car's insulation and on tread pattern frequencies.

Only values from the same protocol compare. A magazine interior test and an EU label value measure different things.