Convert dBm, dBW or a level relative to a custom power reference into milliwatts, watts or kilowatts, or convert positive power back to the selected decibel reference.
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dB to Watts Formula
| dB (dBm) to Power | Power to dB (dBm) |
|---|---|
| -60 dBm = 1 nW | 1 mW = 0 dBm |
| -50 dBm = 10 nW | 5 mW = 6.9897 dBm |
| -40 dBm = 100 nW | 10 mW = 10 dBm |
| -30 dBm = 1 µW | 25 mW = 13.9794 dBm |
| -20 dBm = 10 µW | 50 mW = 16.9897 dBm |
| -10 dBm = 100 µW | 100 mW = 20 dBm |
| 0 dBm = 1 mW | 250 mW = 23.9794 dBm |
| 3 dBm = 1.995 mW | 500 mW = 26.9897 dBm |
| 6 dBm = 3.981 mW | 1 W = 30 dBm |
| 10 dBm = 10 mW | 2 W = 33.0103 dBm |
| 13 dBm = 19.95 mW | 5 W = 36.9897 dBm |
| 20 dBm = 100 mW | 10 W = 40 dBm |
| 23 dBm = 199.5 mW | 20 W = 43.0103 dBm |
| 30 dBm = 1 W | 25 W = 43.9794 dBm |
| 33 dBm = 1.995 W | 50 W = 46.9897 dBm |
| 40 dBm = 10 W | 75 W = 48.7506 dBm |
| 43 dBm = 19.95 W | 100 W = 50 dBm |
| 46 dBm = 39.81 W | 250 W = 53.9794 dBm |
| 50 dBm = 100 W | 500 W = 56.9897 dBm |
| 60 dBm = 1 kW | 1000 W (1 kW) = 60 dBm |
| Formulas (reference = 1 mW): P(mW) = 10^(dBm/10) and dBm = 10·log10(P(mW)). Unit note: 1 W = 1000 mW. | |
The following formula is used to convert dBm to watts.
- Where W is the power in watts
- dBm is the decibel-milliwatts
For dBm, subtract 30 from the level, divide by 10 and raise 10 to that power to obtain watts. For dBW, use P(W) = 10^(dBW/10). For a custom reference, use P = Pref × 10^(L/10), with both powers in the same unit. The reverse is L = 10 log10(P/Pref); power and reference must be positive.
Db to Watts Definition
A decibel level expresses a power ratio and needs a reference before it determines an absolute power in watts. dBm references 1 milliwatt, dBW references 1 watt, and a custom reference uses the positive power you enter. Thus 0 dBm = 1 mW, 0 dBW = 1 W and dBm = dBW + 30.
Db to Watts Example
How to convert dB to watts?
- First, determine the total number of dBm.
Calculate or measure the total decibel-milliwatts. This is a measure of power of the system.
- Next, calculate the watts.
Convert the dBm into watts using the equation above.
FAQ
Watts are a measure of power which is a unit that describes energy over time.
