Road & rail noise map for Reading
Town in Reading, South East
We analysed 4,079 postcodes in and around Reading, Reading against DEFRA's Strategic Noise Mapping (Round 4, 2022). 24% of them (971) have mapped road noise of 55 dB or more by day, and 3% have mapped rail noise. 73% of postcodes have no mapped road or rail noise at all — though that reflects major-source modelling, not guaranteed quiet. The highest modelled level we found is at RG1 3NX (road noise 70.0–74.9 dB by day).
Noise map of Reading
How many postcodes are affected?
Road noise
| Band | Day (LAeq,16h) | Night (Lnight) |
|---|---|---|
| 55.0–59.9 dB day · 50.0–54.9 dB night | 13% (540) | 6% (244) |
| 60.0–64.9 dB day · 55.0–59.9 dB night | 6% (254) | 5% (217) |
| 65.0–69.9 dB day · 60.0–64.9 dB night | 4% (150) | 2% (94) |
| 70.0–74.9 dB day · 65.0–69.9 dB night | <1% (27) | <1% (9) |
| 75.0 dB or more day · 70.0 dB or more night | 0% (0) | 0% (0) |
| Below mapped bands / not mapped | 76% | 86% |
Rail noise
| Band | Day (LAeq,16h) | Night (Lnight) |
|---|---|---|
| 55.0–59.9 dB day · 50.0–54.9 dB night | 2% (95) | 3% (114) |
| 60.0–64.9 dB day · 55.0–59.9 dB night | <1% (27) | <1% (25) |
| 65.0–69.9 dB day · 60.0–64.9 dB night | <1% (11) | <1% (8) |
| 70.0–74.9 dB day · 65.0–69.9 dB night | 0% (0) | 0% (0) |
| 75.0 dB or more day · 70.0 dB or more night | 0% (0) | 0% (0) |
| Below mapped bands / not mapped | 97% | 96% |
Share of the 4,079 postcodes within ~5 km of the Reading centre. Source: DEFRA Strategic Noise Mapping Round 4 (2022), Open Government Licence.
Noisiest postcodes in and around Reading
Check a specific postcode
Example searches: RG1 3LF · RG1 3PE · RG1 3AQ · RG1 3DD · RG1 3NX · RG1 4PS
What this data does — and doesn't — cover
- Modelled, not measured.These are DEFRA's computer-modelled estimates (Round 4, 2022), not microphone readings at your door.
- Major sources only. The model covers major roads, major railways and large urban areas. Smaller local roads, neighbours, pubs, building sites and aircraft are not included.
- No mapped noise ≠ quiet. If a location shows no band, it means it falls outside the mapped contours — not that it is silent.
- 2022 snapshot.New roads, developments or traffic changes since 2022 won't show. The next DEFRA round is due around 2027.
More detail on the methodology page.
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Nearby areas
Frequently asked questions
- How noisy is Reading?
- We analysed 4,079 postcodes in and around Reading, Reading against DEFRA's Strategic Noise Mapping (Round 4, 2022). 24% of them (971) have mapped road noise of 55 dB or more by day, and 3% have mapped rail noise. 73% of postcodes have no mapped road or rail noise at all — though that reflects major-source modelling, not guaranteed quiet. The highest modelled level we found is at RG1 3NX (road noise 70.0–74.9 dB by day).
- Where is the most road noise in Reading?
- The postcodes with the highest modelled daytime levels in and around Reading are RG1 3NX, RG1 5AY, RG6 1JG, based on DEFRA's 2022 model of major roads and railways.