📘 dBm to Watts Guide
dBm (decibel-milliwatt) is a logarithmic unit used in RF engineering, telecommunications, and fiber optics to express absolute power levels relative to 1 milliwatt. Use this converter to quickly translate between dBm and watts.
❓ FAQ
What is dBm?
dBm is a logarithmic measure of power referenced to 1 milliwatt. 0 dBm = 1 mW, 30 dBm = 1 W. It's widely used in RF and telecommunications because it can represent very large and very small power values compactly.
How do I convert dBm to watts manually?
Use the formula: P(W) = 10^((dBm - 30) / 10). For example, 20 dBm = 10^((20-30)/10) = 10^(-1) = 0.1 W.
Why does +10 dB equal 10× power?
Because dBm is a logarithmic scale using base‑10 logarithms. A 10 dB increase means multiplying the power by 10; a 3 dB increase roughly doubles the power.
What are typical dBm values in Wi‑Fi?
Wi‑Fi access points typically transmit at 20 dBm (0.1 W). Client devices like smartphones often transmit around 10-15 dBm.