The purpose of this study was to evaluate acoustic noise in echo plannar imaging(EPI) at various magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) centers, and to compare EPI acoustic noise with that in other principal pulse sequences. We measured the maximum clinical acoustic noise[A-weighted root-mean-square sound pressure levels(Leq)and peak impulse sound pressure levels(Lpeak)]for FPI under the same conditions in five clinical superconducting MRI systems(0.5-1.5T). We also compared the sound pressure levels for EPI and nine different pulse sequences, and analyzed the acoustic noise spectra. There was no signification difference between acoustic noise levels in EPI and other pulse sequences, and these values were within Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines at all centers. However, of all the pulse sequences, EPI has the greatest proportion of high-frequency acoustic noise(>1,000 Hz). Single-shot EPI was subject to higher-pitched noise than multi-shot EPI. Even among centers using the same magnet and gradient coil systems, there was considerable difference in acoustic noise levels(maximum differences in Leq and Lpeak were 7.0 dBA and 7.7 dB, respectively).