The conversion of 26 dBm to watts results in approximately 0.3981 watts.
Table of Contents
To convert from dBm to watts, the formula used is Watts = 10^((dBm – 30) / 10). For 26 dBm, subtract 30 to get -4, then raise 10 to the power of -4 divided by 10, which simplifies to 10^(-0.4), resulting in about 0.3981 watts. This calculation helps translate the logarithmic dBm measure into an actual power value in watts.
What is the conversion from 26 dBm to watts?
Result in watts:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert dBm to watts is Watts = 10^((dBm – 30) / 10). This formula works because dBm is a logarithmic measurement of power relative to 1 milliwatt. By subtracting 30, we adjust from milliwatts to watts, then raise 10 to that power to get the actual wattage. For example, for 26 dBm:
- Subtract 30 from 26: 26 – 30 = -4
- Divide by 10: -4 / 10 = -0.4
- Raise 10 to the power of -0.4: 10^(-0.4) ≈ 0.3981 watts
Conversion Example
- Convert 20 dBm to watts:
- Subtract 30: 20 – 30 = -10
- Divide by 10: -10 / 10 = -1
- Calculate 10^(-1): 0.1 watts
- Convert 40 dBm to watts:
- Subtract 30: 40 – 30 = 10
- Divide by 10: 10 / 10 = 1
- Calculate 10^1: 10 watts
- Convert 0 dBm to watts:
- Subtract 30: 0 – 30 = -30
- Divide by 10: -30 / 10 = -3
- Calculate 10^(-3): 0.001 watts
- Convert 15 dBm to watts:
- Subtract 30: 15 – 30 = -15
- Divide by 10: -15 / 10 = -1.5
- Calculate 10^(-1.5): approximately 0.0316 watts
- Convert 50 dBm to watts:
- Subtract 30: 50 – 30 = 20
- Divide by 10: 20 / 10 = 2
- Calculate 10^2: 100 watts
Conversion Chart
The below table shows dBm values from 1.0 to 51.0 and their equivalent in watts. Use this chart to quickly find the power in watts for specific dBm values without doing calculations.
| dBm | Watts |
|---|---|
| 1.0 | 0.0008 |
| 2.0 | 0.0016 |
| 3.0 | 0.002 |
| 4.0 | 0.0032 |
| 5.0 | 0.004 |
| 6.0 | 0.0063 |
| 7.0 | 0.0099 |
| 8.0 | 0.0158 |
| 9.0 | 0.0251 |
| 10.0 | 0.0316 |
| 11.0 | 0.0398 |
| 12.0 | 0.0501 |
| 13.0 | 0.0631 |
| 14.0 | 0.0794 |
| 15.0 | 0.1 |
| 16.0 | 0.126 |
| 17.0 | 0.158 |
| 18.0 | 0.2 |
| 19.0 | 0.251 |
| 20.0 | 0.316 |
| 21.0 | 0.398 |
| 22.0 | 0.501 |
| 23.0 | 0.631 |
| 24.0 | 0.794 |
| 25.0 | 1.0 |
| 26.0 | 1.26 |
| 27.0 | 1.58 |
| 28.0 | 2.0 |
| 29.0 | 2.51 |
| 30.0 | 3.16 |
| 31.0 | 3.98 |
| 32.0 | 5.01 |
| 33.0 | 6.31 |
| 34.0 | 7.94 |
| 35.0 | 10.0 |
| 36.0 | 12.6 |
| 37.0 | 15.8 |
| 38.0 | 20.0 |
| 39.0 | 25.1 |
| 40.0 | 31.6 |
| 41.0 | 39.8 |
| 42.0 | 50.1 |
| 43.0 | 63.1 |
| 44.0 | 79.4 |
| 45.0 | 100 |
| 46.0 | 126 |
| 47.0 | 158 |
| 48.0 | 200 |
| 49.0 | 251 |
| 50.0 | 316 |
| 51.0 | 398 |
Related Conversion Questions
- How many watts is 26 dBm equal to in real power terms?
- What is the watt equivalent of 26 decibel-milliwatts?
- Can I convert 26 dBm to watts without a calculator?
- How do I convert a 26 dBm signal into watts for RF power analysis?
- What is the power in watts for a device transmitting at 26 dBm?
- Is 26 dBm considered a high or low power level in watts?
- How does changing dBm to watts affect signal strength calculations?
Conversion Definitions
dbm
dbm is a logarithmic measurement expressing power level relative to 1 milliwatt. It indicates signal strength in radio, audio, and other electronic systems, with each 10 dBm representing a tenfold increase in power from the previous level.
watts
Watts is the SI unit of power measuring the rate of energy transfer per second. It quantifies the actual power output or consumption of devices, with larger values indicating higher power levels in electrical and mechanical systems.
Conversion FAQs
What does 26 dBm mean in terms of actual power?
26 dBm translates to approximately 0.3981 watts, meaning the power output is just under half a watt, suitable for many RF and communication applications where moderate power levels are needed.
How accurate is the conversion from dBm to watts?
The conversion uses a logarithmic formula which is precise mathematically. However, practical measurements can vary slightly due to device calibration and environmental factors, but the formula itself provides a reliable estimate.
Can I use this conversion for all frequency ranges?
Yes, but keep in mind that power in watts relates to the actual energy transferred, whereas dBm is a relative measure. The conversion applies regardless of frequency, but the context of the signal might influence how you interpret the results.
Why is the formula subtracting 30 from dBm?
Because dBm is referenced to 1 milliwatt, subtracting 30 converts the measurement from milliwatts to watts, as 10 log(watts) = dBm minus 30 for the power calculation.
How do I convert a different dBm value to watts?
Simply replace the dBm value in the formula Watts = 10^((dBm – 30) / 10). For example, for 40 dBm, calculate 10^((40 – 30)/10) = 10^1 = 10 watts.