dBm to Watts Calculator
Convert between dBm (decibel-milliwatts), watts, milliwatts and other power units
Power Converter
Conversion Result
0.001 W
0 dBm = 0.001 W
From: dBm (Decibel-milliwatts) (dBm)
To: Watts (W)
Type: Power conversion
Note: dBm is a logarithmic unit relative to 1 milliwatt
Common dBm to Power Conversions
0 dBm = 1 mW
Reference point
Reference point
30 dBm = 1 W
Standard reference
Standard reference
10 dBm = 10 mW
Common RF power
Common RF power
-30 dBm = 1 μW
Very low power
Very low power
20 dBm = 100 mW
WiFi transmit power
WiFi transmit power
50 dBm = 100 W
High power amplifier
High power amplifier
dBm Applications
RF & Communications
- • Cell phone signals
- • WiFi power levels
- • Radio transmitters
- • Antenna measurements
Test Equipment
- • Signal generators
- • Power meters
- • Spectrum analyzers
- • Network analyzers
Audio & Acoustics
- • Audio equipment
- • Sound level meters
- • Speaker power ratings
- • Microphone sensitivity
Power Unit Reference
Linear Units:
- • Watts (W)
- • Milliwatts (mW)
- • Microwatts (μW)
- • Kilowatts (kW)
Logarithmic Units:
- • dBm (relative to 1 mW)
- • dBW (relative to 1 W)
- • dB (relative ratio)
Key Relationships:
- • 0 dBm = 1 mW
- • 30 dBm = 1 W
- • +10 dB = 10× power
- • +3 dB ≈ 2× power
Understanding dBm and Power Units
What is dBm?
dBm (decibel-milliwatts) is a logarithmic unit of power measurement relative to 1 milliwatt. It's commonly used in RF, telecommunications, and audio applications because it provides a convenient way to express very large or very small power levels.
Why Use dBm?
- •Wide Range: Handles very small to very large power levels
- •Logarithmic Scale: Makes calculations easier
- •Industry Standard: Widely used in RF and telecom
- •Additive: Gains and losses can be added/subtracted
Conversion Formulas
dBm to Watts
P(W) = 1W × 10^(P(dBm)/10) / 1000
P(W) = 10^((P(dBm)-30)/10)
P(W) = 10^((P(dBm)-30)/10)
Watts to dBm
P(dBm) = 10 × log₁₀(P(W) × 1000)
P(dBm) = 10 × log₁₀(P(W)) + 30
P(dBm) = 10 × log₁₀(P(W)) + 30
Key Relations
• 0 dBm = 1 mW = 0.001 W
• 30 dBm = 1 W = 1000 mW
• Each 10 dB = 10× power change
• 30 dBm = 1 W = 1000 mW
• Each 10 dB = 10× power change
dBm to Power Conversion Table
| dBm | Watts (W) | Milliwatts (mW) | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| -30 dBm | 0.000001 W | 0.001 mW | Receiver sensitivity |
| -20 dBm | 0.00001 W | 0.01 mW | Weak signal |
| -10 dBm | 0.0001 W | 0.1 mW | Low power device |
| 0 dBm | 0.001 W | 1 mW | Reference level |
| 10 dBm | 0.01 W | 10 mW | Bluetooth device |
| 20 dBm | 0.1 W | 100 mW | WiFi router |
| 30 dBm | 1 W | 1000 mW | Cell phone |
| 40 dBm | 10 W | 10000 mW | Ham radio |
| 50 dBm | 100 W | 100000 mW | High power amplifier |