The power of 16 dBm equals approximately 0.0398 watts.
Converting decibel-milliwatts (dBm) to watts involves understanding that dBm is a logarithmic measure of power relative to 1 milliwatt, and calculating watts from it requires an exponential operation based on the 10 times the ratio between power levels. For 16 dBm, the conversion calculates as 10^(16/10) * 0.001, which results in about 0.0398 watts.
Conversion Result
16 dBm is approximately 0.0398 watts.
Conversion Tool
Result in watts:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert dBm to watts is Watts = 10^(dBm / 10) * 0.001. This works because dBm is a logarithmic measure of power relative to 1 milliwatt, so exponentiating 10 to the power of dBm divided by 10 gives power in milliwatts, then multiplied by 0.001 converts to watts. For example, 16 dBm: 10^(16/10) * 0.001 = 10^1.6 * 0.001 ≈ 39.81 * 0.001 = 0.0398 watts.
Conversion Example
- Convert 10 dBm to watts:
- Calculate 10/10 = 1
- Exponentiate: 10^1 = 10
- Multiply by 0.001: 10 * 0.001 = 0.01 watts
- Convert 0 dBm to watts:
- Calculate 0/10 = 0
- Exponentiate: 10^0 = 1
- Multiply by 0.001: 1 * 0.001 = 0.001 watts
- Convert -10 dBm to watts:
- Calculate -10/10 = -1
- Exponentiate: 10^-1 = 0.1
- Multiply by 0.001: 0.1 * 0.001 = 0.0001 watts
- Convert 20 dBm to watts:
- Calculate 20/10 = 2
- Exponentiate: 10^2 = 100
- Multiply by 0.001: 100 * 0.001 = 0.1 watts
Conversion Chart
| dBm | Watts |
|---|---|
| -9.0 | 0.0001259 |
| -8.0 | 0.0001585 |
| -7.0 | 0.0001995 |
| -6.0 | 0.0002512 |
| -5.0 | 0.0003162 |
| -4.0 | 0.0003981 |
| -3.0 | 0.0005012 |
| -2.0 | 0.000631 |
| -1.0 | 0.0007943 |
| 0.0 | 0.001 |
| 1.0 | 0.0012589 |
| 2.0 | 0.0015849 |
| 3.0 | 0.0019953 |
| 4.0 | 0.002512 |
| 5.0 | 0.0031623 |
| 6.0 | 0.0039811 |
| 7.0 | 0.0050119 |
| 8.0 | 0.0063096 |
| 9.0 | 0.0079433 |
| 10.0 | 0.01 |
| 11.0 | 0.012589 |
| 12.0 | 0.015849 |
| 13.0 | 0.019953 |
| 14.0 | 0.025119 |
| 15.0 | 0.031623 |
| 16.0 | 0.039811 |
| 17.0 | 0.050118 |
| 18.0 | 0.063096 |
| 19.0 | 0.079432 |
| 20.0 | 0.1 |
| 21.0 | 0.1259 |
| 22.0 | 0.1585 |
| 23.0 | 0.1995 |
| 24.0 | 0.2512 |
| 25.0 | 0.3162 |
| 26.0 | 0.3981 |
| 27.0 | 0.5012 |
| 28.0 | 0.6309 |
| 29.0 | 0.7943 |
| 30.0 | 1 |
| 31.0 | 1.2589 |
| 32.0 | 1.5849 |
| 33.0 | 1.9953 |
| 34.0 | 2.512 |
| 35.0 | 3.1623 |
| 36.0 | 3.9811 |
| 37.0 | 5.0119 |
| 38.0 | 6.3096 |
| 39.0 | 7.9433 |
| 40.0 | 10 |
| 41.0 | 12.589 |
Use this chart to quickly find watts equivalent for dBm values, matching the closest number in the first column to the corresponding watt value in second.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many watts is 16 dBm in real power measurement?
- What is the watt equivalent of 16 decibel-milliwatts?
- Can I convert 16 dBm to watts without a calculator?
- What is the formula to turn 16 dBm into watts?
- How does 16 dBm compare to 0.04 watts?
- Is 16 dBm a high or low power level in watts?
- What is the power in watts for 16 dBm in RF applications?
Conversion Definitions
dbm
dbm is a logarithmic measure of power level relative to 1 milliwatt, expressed in decibels. It indicates the strength of a signal, with higher values representing stronger power relative to 1 milliwatt, used in radio, audio, and communication systems.
watts
Watts are a basic unit of power in the International System, measuring the rate of energy transfer or conversion per second. They quantify electrical power, light, heat, and other forms of energy, with 1 watt equal to one joule per second.
Conversion FAQs
Why does dBm use a logarithmic scale instead of a linear one?
The logarithmic scale of dBm compresses a wide range of power levels into manageable numbers, making it easier to compare very large or small values. It simplifies calculations in RF and audio systems where power levels can vary exponentially.
Can I convert watts back to dBm directly?
Yes, converting watts to dBm involves taking the logarithm base 10 of the power in watts divided by 0.001, then multiplying by 10. The formula is dBm = 10 * log10(P / 0.001). This reverses the process of converting dBm to watts.
What does a negative dBm value indicate?
Negative dBm values indicate power levels below 1 milliwatt, meaning the signal is weaker. For example, -10 dBm equals 0.0001 watts, showing a low power signal often used in sensitive radio or sensor applications.
Is 16 dBm a high power level for wireless transmission?
In wireless communication, 16 dBm is considered a moderate power level, suitable for many transmission scenarios. It is higher than typical receiver sensitivities but not as high as transmitters with maximum power outputs, balancing range and power consumption.