Classroom noise monitor questions, answered plainly.
Short answers for the decisions teachers actually make: whether the tool records, whether the number is a real decibel, which device to use, and how to keep the cue from becoming a dare.
Is RoomTone a free classroom noise monitor?
Yes. The four noise games, activity presets, teacher settings, fullscreen projection, and optional local chime are free. There is no account, no trial clock, and no paid upgrade. Open classroomnoise.live, press Start, and allow the microphone if you want the meter to run.
Does RoomTone record students or classroom conversations?
No. After you press Start, the browser reads short waveform snapshots locally, calculates loudness, and discards the samples. RoomTone does not create an audio file, does not transcribe speech, does not upload microphone data, and does not store a history of classroom noise. Pause the monitor or close the tab to stop the microphone track.
Is the number on screen a real decibel reading?
It is a device-relative classroom level based on the microphone signal, shown as a relative reading and a 0 to 100 scale. It is not calibrated sound pressure level (dB SPL). Different laptops in the same room can disagree. Use the silent, partner, and group presets as starting points, then tune yellow just above the sound you actually want. Do not use RoomTone for hearing-safety, OSHA, or facilities reports.
Which browsers and devices work?
Current Chrome, Edge, Safari, and Firefox on classroom laptops and Chromebooks are the expected path. iPad Safari can work if microphone permission is allowed. The site needs HTTPS, JavaScript, and a microphone the operating system will share. Internet Explorer and locked-down WebView shells that strip permissions will not run the meter. See the browser and devices guide for Chromebook HDMI and iPad mirroring notes.
The browser blocked the microphone. What now?
Open site settings for classroomnoise.live and set the microphone to Allow, then reload and press Start again. On Windows and macOS, also check the operating system privacy toggles for the browser. On a shared cart, a previous user may have blocked the mic. District policy can disable microphones entirely; the website cannot override that. The microphone setup guide walks through stuck levels and false reds.
Why does the display stay red or yellow when the class sounds fine?
Usually the device is too close to one table, a projector fan, or an HVAC vent, or the preset is too strict for this room. Move the laptop, lower sensitivity, or raise yellow. Leave a gap before red so a chair scrape is not an event. Recalibrate after you move the machine or change activity. An empty room that is already yellow is a placement or building problem, not a student problem.
Why does nothing happen when students talk?
The input may be muted, set to a disconnected webcam, or so far from the class that talk never rises above the floor. Check the OS input device and the physical mute key. Confirm you pressed Start and that the permission is allowed. If automatic gain is flattening the signal, try another browser. Raising sensitivity is a last step, not the first.
Should I turn on the alarm chime?
Start with visual-only. The chime plays locally on the device, is rate-limited, and is off by default. Use it only when students cannot see the display. Keep it off for tests, read-alouds, and sensory-sensitive groups. A chime that fires constantly trains everyone to ignore it.
Can I use this for hearing safety or OSHA compliance?
No. RoomTone is a classroom feedback tool, not a calibrated sound-level meter, occupational monitor, or audiology instrument. For regulatory or exposure decisions, use appropriate calibrated equipment and professional guidance.
Will students try to set it off on purpose?
They might, especially if a Live Reaction is fun to trigger. Pause Sleepy Cat, switch to a calmer Goal Challenge such as Quiet Garden, shorten that goal, and put the tool away if it becomes a dare. Do not add extra public punishments to a red light; that makes the dare bigger. RoomTone never removes earned goal progress, which removes one reason to treat the display as a scoreboard.
Does it work without the internet after it loads?
You need a network connection to load the site. The loudness math then runs in the browser on that device. If the tab cannot reach the network later, the meter can still run until you reload. We do not offer a separate offline app.
How do I pick a starting noise level?
Silent work starts at yellow 30 and red 48. Partner talk starts at 44 and 66. Group work starts at 58 and 80 with a slightly longer recovery. Let students make the volume you want for 10 to 15 seconds, then park yellow just above that range. Details are in the classroom noise levels guide.
Can several classes share the same computer?
Yes. Settings live in that browser's local storage: theme, preset, thresholds, and whether the chime is on. Reset Goal Challenge progress between classes so it does not become a comparison. Sleepy Cat has no saved goal. Clearing site data removes the saved settings. There are no class accounts to switch.
Is this website directed at children?
RoomTone is built for teachers and other adults who run a classroom display. Students may see the projected game, but they do not create accounts and we do not try to collect their personal information. The site is not directed at children under 13. Do not type student names, emails, or other personal data into URLs or messages.
Do you use cookies or ads?
The microphone path does not use cookies. The website may use cookies and similar identifiers for preferences, optional analytics, and advertising (including Google AdSense). You can accept or reject non-essential cookies in the consent banner. The privacy policy explains cookies, third-party ads, and how to change your choice.
What happens to earned progress when the room gets loud?
In a Goal Challenge, progress pauses and never reverses. Waypoints reached, stars revealed, and plant stages grown stay. Sleepy Cat is different: it is a Live Reaction with no earned progress, so Miso reacts immediately and then settles gradually after the room quiets.
Can I use RoomTone on a projector or interactive board?
Yes. Fullscreen the game so tabs disappear. Check that the back row can read the status word, not only the color. Confirm the microphone is still the laptop or tablet input after you plug in HDMI. Some interactive-board browsers block microphones; use Chrome or Safari if that happens. See the projector setup guide.
Longer walkthroughs live in the guide library. Privacy, cookies, and advertising are documented on the privacy policy.
Open the free classroom noise monitor