A chainsaw makes a loud, roaring, high-pitched whirring noise. The sound ranges from a low growl at idle to a piercing scream at high RPMs as the chain cuts wood. Chainsaw noise often exceeds 120 decibels and can cause hearing damage with prolonged exposure.
What does a chainsaw sound like?
The distinctive sound of a chainsaw can be described as an aggressive mechanical roar that typically registers between 100 to 120 decibels (dB). To put this into perspective, any sound above 85 dB can potentially damage your hearing with prolonged exposure.
Common descriptions of chainsaw sounds
Chainsaws produce a unique combination of sounds often described as a loud buzzing or mechanical roaring. When idle, a chainsaw might emit a distinctive pinging sound as the clutch begins to engage against the clutch drum. At higher speeds during operation, the sound intensifies dramatically, creating what some writers characterize as a “gritting, whirring scream”. Many experienced loggers can even identify specific chainsaw brands from up to half a mile away simply by their distinctive engine roar.
Why chainsaws sound the way they do
The noise primarily comes from two main sources: the combustion engine and the cutting mechanism itself. During operation, the movement and friction of the engine components cause rapid changes in air pressure and frequency. Additionally, the high-speed rotation of the chain against the blades creates significant noise. The sound intensity increases with engine speed – moving from idle to half gas to racing conditions progressively raises the decibel level.
How engine type affects the sound
Gas-powered and electric chainsaws create notably different sounds. Gas models, which rely on internal combustion engines, typically produce noise levels between 106-117 dBA at the operator’s ear. In contrast, electric chainsaws generate significantly lower noise levels, ranging from 90-102 dBA. This substantial difference makes electric models more suitable for residential environments where noise regulations may apply.
For gas chainsaws, the dominant noise sources are the engine exhaust and valve mechanisms. With electric inline saws, however, the primary noise comes from the chain moving around the bar, while direct-drive electric models produce most of their noise from the motor and fan. This fundamental difference explains why electric chainsaws are generally perceived as much quieter during operation.
Chainsaw sounds and onomatopoeia
The world of language has fascinating ways to capture what noise does a chainsaw make. One such linguistic tool is onomatopoeia, which creates words that audibly represent the sounds they describe.
What is onomatopoeia?
Onomatopoeia is a figure of speech where a word imitates the actual sound associated with an object or action. Essentially, it “names” a sound by creating a word that mimics it. The term itself comes from Greek roots meaning “making a name”. This literary device makes writing more vivid by allowing readers to practically hear what’s happening on the page. Rather than describing a sound in lengthy detail, onomatopoeia creates an immediate sensory connection.
Examples: ‘brrrr’, ‘vroom vroom’
For chainsaws specifically, various onomatopoeic expressions exist. The most common representations include:
- “Brrrr” – mimicking the rapid, mechanical revving sound
- “Vroom vroom” – capturing the deep rumble of the chainsaw’s motor
- “Whirrr” – suggesting the continuous rotation of the chain
Other variations include “wher wher wher” and “brum-brum-brum-brrrrrrr”, which attempt to capture the starting sequence and subsequent continuous operation. First, you hear the initial sputter, followed by the full-throttled roar once the machine fully engages.
How writers use chainsaw sounds in language
The distinctive chainsaw sound has found its way into various forms of creative expression. In horror literature and films, writers often describe it as a “gritting, whirring scream” to evoke fear. The chainsaw’s unique, dissonant noise has consequently become a favored background element in horror movies and certain musical compositions.
Some writers even compare the mental state of creative writing to operating a chainsaw: “I started the chainsaw and stepped forward into that particular kind of flow state where you’re thinking and doing at the same time”. This metaphor connects the physical act of sawing with the cognitive process of writing.
In comics, onomatopoeic representations of chainsaw sounds appear frequently in speech bubbles, using words like “zap,” “bang,” and variations of roaring sounds to enhance visual storytelling.
How chainsaw sounds are measured
Scientists and audio engineers measure chainsaw sounds through specialized equipment that captures both volume and frequency characteristics. These measurements provide valuable data about noise exposure risks and help in the development of quieter tools.
Using spectrograms to visualize sound
Spectrograms offer a graphical representation of chainsaw sounds, displaying them as visual patterns. These colorful graphs plot frequency (pitch) from bottom to top and time from left to right, with brightness indicating amplitude (loudness). For instance, the National Park Service uses spectrograms to analyze chainsaw noise at Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, revealing the distinctive buzzing pattern as visual signatures. This visualization technique helps researchers identify specific components of chainsaw noise and how they change throughout operation cycles.
Decibel levels of chainsaws
Modern chainsaws typically produce noise between 100-120 decibels (dB), placing them among the loudest handheld tools. According to OSHA measurements, chain saws typically register at approximately 125 dB. Electric chainsaws tend to be somewhat quieter, with A-weighted sound pressure levels ranging between 83.7 and 96 dB, whereas petrol chainsaws produce between 100.1 and 105.3 dB.
Sound level meters are the primary tools for measuring these noise levels, capable of capturing sounds between 30-130 dB with frequencies from 20-20,000 Hz. Research shows that when a chainsaw operates at idle, the average sound intensity reaching operators’ ears is about 82 dB. This escalates dramatically to 96.5 dB at half throttle and reaches nearly 107 dB at full racing conditions.
Chainsaw sound frequency range
The frequency spectrum of chainsaw noise reveals particularly high energy in specific ranges. Primarily, chainsaw sounds concentrate around 4000 Hz—often called “the most irritating or activating frequency”. Sound pressure measurements show peak levels in the octave bands with center frequencies of 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 4 kHz, corresponding precisely to the range where human hearing is most sensitive.
Throughout detailed analysis, the highest sound pressure levels typically appear in the 2 kHz range, measuring 95.3 dB for electric models and 99.6 dB for petrol chainsaws. As a result, the distinctive chainsaw sound remains particularly intense within the frequency range most noticeable to human ears.
Why chainsaw noise matters
Chainsaw noise poses significant challenges beyond just being a nuisance. Understanding what noise does a chainsaw make helps us grasp its far-reaching effects on both people and environments.
Impact on wildlife and nature
Chainsaw sounds create substantial disturbances in natural habitats. Wildlife responses to human-made noise begin at levels as low as 40 dB, far below the 110+ dB that chainsaws produce. Studies show that chainsaw operations can affect wildlife at distances up to 400 meters, altering animal behavior and habitat use. Although some species like spotted owls showed tolerance to brief exposures, the long-term effects can modify ecosystem structure as birds and pollinator insects relocate, potentially decreasing plant pollination.
Hearing safety and protection
The sound of a chainsaw typically measures at 125 decibels, well above the 85 dB threshold where hearing damage begins. In fact, running a chainsaw without protection for merely 2 minutes can cause permanent hearing loss. Proper protection options include:
- Foam earplugs (NRR of 33 decibels)
- Specialized earmuffs (NRR of 37 decibels)
- Helmet/visor/muff combinations (NRR of 24 decibels)
Chainsaw sound in urban vs rural settings
In urban environments, chainsaw sounds often face stricter regulations due to population density. Rural settings typically have more relaxed noise ordinances but greater ecological impact. Regardless of location, OSHA requires employers to implement hearing conservation programs whenever exposure exceeds 85 dB.
Conclusion
Understanding chainsaw sounds goes far beyond simply recognizing that distinctive mechanical roar. Throughout this guide, we’ve explored how these powerful tools create noise levels between 100-120 decibels—loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage after just two minutes of unprotected exposure. Gas-powered models typically generate significantly louder sounds than their electric counterparts, primarily because of their different mechanical operations and power sources.
Onomatopoeic expressions like “brrrr” and “vroom vroom” attempt to capture the unique acoustic signature of chainsaws, though they hardly convey the full sensory experience. Additionally, scientific analysis through spectrograms reveals how chainsaw sounds concentrate around the 4000 Hz frequency range—precisely where human hearing is most sensitive.
The importance of chainsaw noise extends well beyond personal discomfort. Wildlife can detect and react to these sounds from up to 400 meters away, potentially disrupting natural habitats and altering ecosystem behaviors. Therefore, understanding what noise a chainsaw makes helps us appreciate why proper hearing protection remains essential and why noise regulations exist in various settings.
