Power converter
Convert between W, mW, µW, dBW, dBm and dBµW power units.
Formulas
dBm = 10·log₁₀(mW)
dBW = 10·log₁₀(W)
0 dBm = 1 mW
Engineering background
Power uses 10·log₁₀ (not 20·log₁₀) because power is proportional to amplitude squared. dBm references 1 mW and is the most common RF power unit.
Key benefits
01
One-click conversion across W, mW, µW, dBW, dBm and dBµW.
02
Correctly applies 10·log₁₀ for power (versus 20·log₁₀ for voltage), avoiding a common mix-up.
03
Ideal for RF link budgets, signal-generator level setting and receiver sensitivity assessment.
How to use
- 1 Enter a value in any power unit field.
- 2 Other units update in real time.
- 3 Copy the link to share the result.
Use cases
- › RF link budgets: switch between dBm and mW to estimate transmit power and received level.
- › Signal generator setup: convert a design target in mW to the dBm shown on the instrument.
- › EMI receiver sensitivity evaluation.
FAQ
Why does power use 10·log₁₀ while voltage uses 20·log₁₀?
Power is proportional to voltage squared (P = V²/R), so 10·log₁₀(P) equals 20·log₁₀(V) minus the impedance term.
How many watts is 0 dBm?
0 dBm = 1 mW = 0.001 W.