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RF Unit Converter

Convert between RF power units: dBm, dBW, watts, milliwatts, microwatts, and nanowatts. Essential for RF engineering and wireless communication.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter the power value you want to convert.
  2. Select the unit you\'re converting from (dBm, dBW, W, mW, µW, nW).
  3. Select the unit you want to convert to.
  4. The calculator displays the converted value instantly.

RF Power Conversion Formulas

RF power units are converted using logarithmic relationships:

dBm = 10 × log₁₀(P(mW))
dBW = 10 × log₁₀(P(W))
P(W) = 10^((dBm - 30) / 10)
P(mW) = 10^(dBm / 10)
P(µW) = P(mW) × 1000
P(nW) = P(µW) × 1000

Example: 20 dBm = 10^(20/10) = 100 mW = 0.1 W. 1 W = 10 × log₁₀(1000) = 30 dBm. 0 dBm = 1 mW (reference level).

Full Description

RF (Radio Frequency) power is measured in various units depending on the application and context. The most common unit is dBm (decibels relative to 1 milliwatt), which is standard in RF engineering, wireless communication, and test equipment. Understanding and converting between RF power units is essential for RF engineers, technicians, and anyone working with wireless systems.

dBm is a logarithmic unit that makes it easier to work with wide power ranges. Each 3 dB represents a doubling or halving of power. 0 dBm = 1 mW (the reference), 3 dBm = 2 mW, 10 dBm = 10 mW, 20 dBm = 100 mW, 30 dBm = 1 W. dBW is similar but referenced to 1 watt (0 dBW = 1 W, 30 dBW = 1 kW). Linear units (W, mW, µW, nW) are also used, especially for absolute power measurements.

This converter helps you convert between RF power units. Enter a value and select source and target units, and it converts instantly. Use it when working with RF specifications, test equipment, wireless systems, or understanding power levels. RF power conversion is fundamental to RF engineering and communication systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common RF power units?

dBm: Decibels relative to 1 milliwatt (most common in RF). dBW: Decibels relative to 1 watt. mW: Milliwatts. W: Watts. µW: Microwatts. nW: Nanowatts. dBm is the most common unit in RF engineering and wireless communication.

How do I convert between dBm and watts?

dBm to watts: P(W) = 10^((dBm - 30) / 10). Watts to dBm: dBm = 10 × log₁₀(P(W)) + 30. Example: 20 dBm = 10^((20-30)/10) = 10^-1 = 0.1 W = 100 mW. 1 W = 10 × log₁₀(1) + 30 = 30 dBm.

What is a typical power range?

RF power varies widely: Cell phones: 0.1-2 W (20-33 dBm). WiFi routers: 0.1-1 W (20-30 dBm). Radio transmitters: 1-1000 W (30-60 dBW). Receivers: -100 to -50 dBm (very low power). Test equipment: -120 to +20 dBm.

Why use dBm instead of watts?

dBm is logarithmic, making it easier to work with wide power ranges. It's also more intuitive for RF engineers—each 3 dB represents a doubling/halving of power. dBm is standard in RF specifications, test equipment, and communication systems.