Sound pressure is reported on a logarithmic scale called sound-pressure level, expressed in decibel (dB) referenced to the weakest audible 1 000 Hz sound pressure of 2*10-5 Pascal (20 mP). Sound level meters contain filters that simulate the ear's frequency response. The most commonly used filter provides what is called 'A' weighting, with the letter 'A' appended to the dB units, i.e. dBA.

The source level is the acoustic power (sound pressure) in decibels (dB) referenced to 1.0 microPascal measured at 1 meter from the sound source transmitted through a unit area in a specified direction.
The unit of intensity is watt per square meter, but source level is commonly given as a relative intensity in dB.