RT60 (Reverberation Time) is the time for sound to decay by 60 dB in a room. It is a primary metric that tells you how “live” or “dead” a room sounds. It can be either high, low, or balanced. Below are the details of each.
High RT60 (> 1.5s): It produces a lot of echo, and speech clarity is greatly destroyed, and music production is almost impossible.
Balanced RT60 (0.6s – 1.5s): Recommended for home theaters, conference rooms, and casual music listening because it provides balanced sound.
Low RT60 (< 0.6s): Such a low RT60 is used by recording studios and critical listening environments. This one is perfect when you want to listen to every little sound.
Below is the room acoustics calculator, where you can input room dimensions, select ceiling type and surface material, and it will tell you reverbation time and more. If you feel any confusion in using this calculator, refer to the guide provided below.
Room Acoustics Calculator
Calculate your room’s reverb time (RT60) and get recommendations for optimal acoustic treatment.
Room Volume: m³
Surface Area: m²
Reverberation Time (RT60): seconds
How to Use This Calculator
Here is a step-by-step guide to using the room acoustics calculator.
- Measure Your Room Dimensions
Enter the room’s length, width, and average height in meters. - Select Your Ceiling Type
There are 4 different ceiling shapes (flat, vaulted, raked, irregular) that affect how sound reflects. Choose the one that best matches your room. - Choose the Surface Material
Materials greatly impact absorption. A carpeted room with curtains absorbs more sound than concrete or tile. - Hit “Calculate Acoustics”
Once you hit calculate, it will display the results.
Results
- Volume (m³)
- Surface Area (m²)
- RT60 (seconds)
- A clear recommendation based on your results
Related: Calculate ceiling speakers placement
Tips for Better Acoustics
A few tips below can help you improve the acoustics of your room and provide you with a lower reverberation time for increased clarity.
- Use acoustic panels on reflective surfaces.
- Add curtains, rugs, or bookshelves for passive sound absorption.
- Consider bass traps for corners, especially in music or mixing rooms.
- Irregular ceiling types often create more reflections, so you should use absorbers strategically.