A free noise meter for your classroom
Hush Meter listens to the room through your computer's microphone and shows how loud it is on your board. Students watch the bubbles rise and lower their voices on their own, so you spend less time saying “shh” and more time teaching.
It runs in your web browser. There is nothing to install and no account to create.
How to use it
- Open this page on the computer connected to your projector or interactive board, then press Full screen.
- Press Use microphone and allow access when your browser asks. Keep the room quiet for 3 seconds while Hush Meter measures the background noise, such as fans and air conditioning.
- Pick the voice level for the activity. The dashed line shows the limit for that level.
- Choose how often the class earns a star, then let the meter run.
Voice levels 0 to 4
Hush Meter uses the same voice level scale many classrooms already post on the wall. Each level moves the limit line up or down.
| Level | Name | Sounds like | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Silent | No talking | Tests, silent reading |
| 1 | Whisper | Only your partner can hear you | Library time, quiet work |
| 2 | Partner | Two people talking at a table | Partner work, turn and talk |
| 3 | Group | A small group discussing | Group projects, centers |
| 4 | Presenter | Speaking so the whole class hears | Presentations, read-alouds |
Every room and microphone is different. If the meter reads high even when the class is calm, move the Sensitivity slider to the left.
Turn quiet time into stars
While the class stays under the line, the quiet-time bar fills. When it is full, the class earns a star. If the room stays too loud for a second, the bar starts over.
Many teachers trade stars for a class reward, such as extra recess, a class game or choosing the next read-aloud.
A timer with a quiet challenge
Pick 1, 3, 5, 10 or 15 minutes from the Timer row and press Start. A chime plays when time is up. Turn on Quiet challenge to give the class three chances: every time the room gets too loud, they lose one. If they finish with a chance left, they earn a bonus star. Want the timer front and center? Open the classroom timer page.
A new look every month
Bubbles, Balloon and Gauge are always available. A seasonal look arrives each month and opens on its own when the month changes.
In October, a witch's cauldron bubbles up as the room gets louder, and ghosts escape when the class is too loud. In November, the noise becomes wind: an autumn tree sways, leaves pile up toward the limit, and a loud room sends them flying.
Your students' privacy
Sound is measured inside your browser and turned into a single loudness number several times a second. Nothing is recorded, saved or sent anywhere. There are no student accounts, no sign-up and no tracking cookies. Read the privacy policy.
Questions teachers ask
Is Hush Meter free?
Yes. The noise meter and the standard looks are free, with no account or sign-up.
Does it record my class?
No. The audio never leaves your computer. Hush Meter only reads how loud the room is at this moment and throws the sound away immediately.
Why doesn't the microphone work?
Your browser needs your permission to use the microphone on this site. Look for a microphone icon in the address bar and choose Allow. If your computer has more than one microphone, such as a webcam and a board microphone, pick the right one from the Microphone menu that appears once Hush Meter is listening. On school Chromebooks, an administrator may block the microphone; ask your IT team to allow this site.
Can I use it without a microphone?
Yes. Choose Use manual mode under the meter. You set the level yourself with the Quiet, Getting loud and Too loud buttons, or by pressing 1, 2 and 3 on the keyboard, and the class still earns stars for quiet time.
Does it work on Chromebooks and interactive boards?
Yes, in current versions of Chrome, Edge, Safari and Firefox, on any laptop, Chromebook or board that has a microphone.
Will my screen turn off during class?
While the microphone is on, Hush Meter asks the browser to keep the screen awake. Some devices may still follow their own power settings.
The meter rises even when the class is quiet. What can I do?
Hush Meter ignores steady background noise it measured when the microphone started. If a fan, projector or air conditioner switched on later, press Set quiet level while the room is quiet. You can also move the Sensitivity slider to the left, or pick a higher voice level for the activity.