Last Updated: August 16, 2025
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dBm or decibel-milliwatt is an electrical power unit in decibel (dB), referenced to one milliwatt (mW).
dBm:- A mathematical Interpretation.
dBm definition
dBm or decibel-milliwatt is an electrical power unit in decibels (dB), referenced to 1 milliwatt (mW).
The power in decibel-milliwatts (P(dBm)) is equal to 10 times base 10 logarithm of the power in milliwatts (P(mW)):
P(dBm) = 10 · log10( P(mW) / 1mW )
The power in milliwatts (P(mW)) is equal to 1mW times 10 raised by the power in decibel-milliwatts (P(dBm)) divided by 10:
P(mW) = 1mW · 10(P(dBm) / 10)
1 milliwatt is equal to 0 dBm:
1mW = 0dBm
1 watt is equal to 30dBm:
1W = 1000mW = 30dBm
How to convert mW to dBm
How to convert power in milliwatts (mW) to dBm.
The power in dBm is equal to the base 10 logarithm of the power in milliwatts (mW):
P(dBm) = 10 · log10( P(mW) / 1mW )
For example: what is the power in dBm for power consumption of 100mW?
Solution:
P(dBm) = 10 · log10( 100mW / 1mW ) = 20dBm
How to convert dBm to mW
How to convert power in dBm to milliwatts (mW).
The power in milliwatts (P(mW)) is equal to 10 raised by the power in dBm (P(dBm)) divided by 10?
P(mW) = 1mW · 10(P(dBm) / 10)
For example: what is the power in milliwatts for power consumption of 20dBm?
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