Samantha NicoleThe conversion of 10 dBm equals approximately 0.010 W.
To convert from dBm to watts, you need to use the formula that relates the logarithmic power level in decibels relative to 1 milliwatt (mW). Since 10 dBm is a measure of power expressed in decibels, converting it involves taking 10 to the power of the dBm divided by 10, then multiplying by 1 milliwatt. This means 10 dBm equals 10 times 1 milliwatt, which is 10 milliwatts or 0.010 W.
Conversion Results
Conversion Tool
Result in watts:
Conversion Formula
The formula for converting dBm to watts is: Watts = 10^((dBm) / 10) * 0.001. This works because decibels are a logarithmic measure, so to find the actual wattage, you raise 10 to the power of the dBm divided by 10, then multiply by 1 milliwatt (0.001 W). For example, for 10 dBm: 10^(10/10) * 0.001 = 10 * 0.001 = 0.010 W.
Conversion Example
- Convert 20 dBm:
- Calculate 20/10 = 2
- Raise 10 to the power of 2: 10^2 = 100
- Multiply by 0.001: 100 * 0.001 = 0.1 W
- Convert -5 dBm:
- Calculate -5/10 = -0.5
- Raise 10 to the power of -0.5: 10^-0.5 ≈ 0.3162
- Multiply by 0.001: 0.3162 * 0.001 ≈ 0.0003162 W
- Convert 0 dBm:
- Calculate 0/10 = 0
- 10^0 = 1
- Multiply by 0.001: 1 * 0.001 = 0.001 W
- Convert 30 dBm:
- Calculate 30/10 = 3
- 10^3 = 1000
- Multiply by 0.001: 1000 * 0.001 = 1 W
Conversion Chart
| dBm | Watts |
|---|---|
| -15.0 | 0.00032 |
| -10.0 | 0.00063 |
| -5.0 | 0.00032 |
| 0.0 | 0.001 |
| 5.0 | 0.0032 |
| 10.0 | 0.010 |
| 15.0 | 0.031 |
| 20.0 | 0.1 |
| 25.0 | 0.316 |
| 30.0 | 1.0 |
| 35.0 | 3.16 |
This table helps you find watt values at different dBm levels. Simply read across the row for your dBm number to see the approximate wattage.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many watts are in 10 dBm?
- What is the watt equivalent of -10 dBm?
- How do I convert 15 dBm to watts?
- What is the power in watts for 0 dBm?
- Can I convert 20 dBm to milliwatts?
- What is the formula to change dBm to watts for any value?
- How does changing dBm affect the watt measurement?
Conversion Definitions
dbm
dbm stands for decibels relative to one milliwatt, measuring power levels in electronic systems. It expresses how much stronger or weaker a signal is compared to 1 milliwatt, using a logarithmic scale, where higher values mean more power.
watts
Watts are the SI unit of power, indicating the rate of energy transfer or consumption. It quantifies how much energy is used or produced per second, and in electronics, it measures the actual power output or input of devices or signals.
Conversion FAQs
Why does a small change in dBm represent a big change in watts?
Because dBm is a logarithmic measurement, each 10 dB increase corresponds to a tenfold increase in power, so small increases in dBm can translate into large increases in wattage, making the relationship exponential rather than linear.
Is 0 dBm equal to 1 milliwatt or 1 watt?
0 dBm equals exactly 1 milliwatt, since the dBm scale is referenced to 1 milliwatt, and 0 dBm indicates the same power level, not 1 watt which is 30 dBm.
Can I convert watts back to dBm easily?
Yes, by reversing the formula: dBm = 10 * log10(watts / 0.001). This allows you to find the dBm value for any watt measurement, which is useful in signal strength calculations.
What is the significance of -10 dBm in power measurements?
-10 dBm represents a power level below 1 milliwatt, used in low-power signal applications, and indicates a weaker signal compared to 0 dBm or positive dBm levels, which are more common in transmission power.
How accurate is the conversion from dBm to watts?
The conversion is mathematically precise based on the formula, but practical factors like measurement errors or device calibration can affect real-world accuracy, so always consider context when applying these numbers.
