1 dBm equals approximately 0.0012589 watt.
Table of Contents
This conversion is based on the formula where 1 dBm is a measure of power relative to 1 milliwatt. To convert from dBm to watt, you exponentiate 10 raised to the power of (dBm divided by 10), so for 1 dBm, it’s 10^(1/10) * 0.001, resulting in roughly 0.0012589 watt.
Conversion Result
Converting 1 dBm to watt gives about 0.0012589 watt. This means that a power level of 1 dBm is just over a thousandth of a watt.
Conversion Tool
Result in watt:
Conversion Formula
The conversion from dbm to watt uses the formula: watt = 10^(dBm / 10) * 0.001. It works because dBm is a logarithmic measure of power relative to 1 milliwatt. For example, for 1 dBm: watt = 10^(1/10) * 0.001 ≈ 0.0012589 watt, showing how each 10 dBm increase multiplies power by 10.
Conversion Example
- Convert 3 dBm:
- Step 1: Divide 3 by 10: 3/10 = 0.3
- Step 2: Calculate 10^0.3 ≈ 2.0
- Step 3: Multiply by 0.001: 2.0 * 0.001 = 0.002 watt
- Convert -10 dBm:
- Step 1: Divide -10 by 10: -10/10 = -1
- Step 2: Calculate 10^-1 = 0.1
- Step 3: Multiply by 0.001: 0.1 * 0.001 = 0.0001 watt
- Convert 20 dBm:
- Step 1: Divide 20 by 10: 20/10 = 2
- Step 2: Calculate 10^2 = 100
- Step 3: Multiply by 0.001: 100 * 0.001 = 0.1 watt
Conversion Chart
| dBm | Watt |
|---|---|
| -24.0 | 0.0000015 |
| -20.0 | 0.0000100 |
| -16.0 | 0.0000631 |
| -12.0 | 0.000398 |
| -8.0 | 0.002512 |
| -4.0 | 0.01585 |
| 0.0 | 0.001 |
| 4.0 | 0.00631 |
| 8.0 | 0.0398 |
| 12.0 | 0.2512 |
| 16.0 | 1.58 |
| 20.0 | 10.0 |
| 24.0 | 63.1 |
| 26.0 | 125.9 |
This chart shows dBm levels from -24 to 26, with their corresponding watt values. To use, find your dBm value in the first column, then read across to see the watt equivalent.
Related Conversion Questions
- What is the watt equivalent of -10 dBm?
- How many watts are in 5 dBm?
- Can I convert 1 dBm to milliwatts directly?
- What is the power in watts of 10 dBm?
- How does changing dBm affect watt measurement?
- Is 0 dBm equal to 1 milliwatt?
- How do I convert dBm to watts for RF signals?
Conversion Definitions
dbm
dbm is a logarithmic unit expressing power levels relative to 1 milliwatt, used mainly in radio and telecommunications to measure signal strength or power output in a standardized way.
watt
Watt is a base SI unit of power measuring the rate of energy transfer or conversion per second, commonly used to quantify electrical, mechanical, or thermal power in various devices and systems.
Conversion FAQs
How do I convert 1 dBm to watts manually?
To convert 1 dBm to watt, divide 1 by 10, then raise 10 to that power and multiply by 0.001. So, 10^(1/10) * 0.001 ≈ 0.0012589 watt, which is the exact value for 1 dBm.
What is the significance of 0 dBm in power measurement?
0 dBm equals exactly 1 milliwatt, serving as the reference point in the dBm scale, indicating a power level of 1 mW which is often used as a standard in radio and signal strength measurements.
Can the conversion from dbm to watt be approximated for small values?
Yes, for small dBm values near zero, the conversion approximates to watt ≈ 10^(dBm/10) * 0.001, but for precise calculations, the exact formula should be used, especially at higher or lower levels.