The conversion of 5 dBm equals approximately 3.16 milliwatts (mW). This means that a signal with a power level of 5 dBm is equivalent to about 3.16 mW in linear power terms.
To convert from dBm to mW, you use the formula: Power (mW) = 10^(dBm/10). This formula is based on logarithmic scaling, where each 10 dB increase represents a tenfold increase in power. For 5 dBm, dividing 5 by 10 gives 0.5, and raising 10 to this power results in 3.16 mW.
Conversion Result
5 dBm is equal to roughly 3.16 mW.
Conversion Tool
Result in mw:
Conversion Formula
The conversion from dbm to mw relies on the formula: Power (mW) = 10^(dBm/10). It works because decibels are logarithmic, meaning each 10 dB increase multiplies the power by ten. For example, 0 dBm equals 1 mW, and 10 dBm equals 10 mW. For 5 dBm, dividing 5 by 10 gives 0.5, then raising 10 to the 0.5 power results in 3.16 mW.
Conversion Example
- Convert 10 dBm to mW:
- Divide 10 by 10, which gives 1.
- Calculate 10^1, which is 10.
- Result: 10 mW.
- Convert -10 dBm to mW:
- Divide -10 by 10, which gives -1.
- Calculate 10^-1, which is 0.1.
- Result: 0.1 mW.
- Convert 0 dBm to mW:
- Divide 0 by 10, which stays 0.
- Calculate 10^0, which is 1.
- Result: 1 mW.
- Convert 20 dBm to mW:
- Divide 20 by 10, which gives 2.
- Calculate 10^2, which is 100.
- Result: 100 mW.
- Convert -20 dBm to mW:
- Divide -20 by 10, which gives -2.
- Calculate 10^-2, which is 0.01.
- Result: 0.01 mW.
Conversion Chart
| dBm | mW |
|---|---|
| -20.0 | 0.01 |
| -15.0 | 0.0316 |
| -10.0 | 0.1 |
| -5.0 | 0.3162 |
| 0.0 | 1 |
| 5.0 | 3.16 |
| 10.0 | 10 |
| 15.0 | 31.62 |
| 20.0 | 100 |
| 25.0 | 316.23 |
| 30.0 | 1000 |
Use this chart to quickly see the approximate power in milliwatts for specific dBm values. Find your dBm value in the first column and read across to find the corresponding mW value.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many milliwatts is 5 decibels in power level?
- What is the equivalent wattage for 5 dBm?
- How do I convert 5 dBm to mW manually?
- Is 5 dBm considered a high or low power signal?
- What is the dBm to mW conversion formula for 5 dBm?
- Can I convert 5 dBm to other units like microwatts or watts?
- What is the typical power output of 5 dBm in wireless devices?
Conversion Definitions
dbm
Decibel-milliwatts (dBm) measures power relative to 1 milliwatt on a logarithmic scale, indicating signal strength in wireless and audio systems, where positive values are higher power and negative values are lower power.
mw
Milliwatt (mW) is a unit of power equal to one-thousandth of a watt, used to express the actual power level of signals or electrical devices in linear terms.
Conversion FAQs
What does 5 dBm mean in terms of power output?
5 dBm corresponds to about 3.16 milliwatts, indicating the power level of the signal is 3.16 times the threshold of 1 milliwatt, a common measurement in wireless communications and audio equipment.
How accurate is the conversion from dBm to mW?
The conversion formula is mathematically precise, based on logarithmic calculations. Minor rounding differences may occur, but generally, the calculated mW value closely reflects the actual power level.
Can I use this to convert other dBm values to mW?
Yes, the same formula applies to all dBm values. Simply input the value into the calculator or manually compute using 10^(dBm/10).
Is there a simple way to estimate mW for small positive dBm numbers?
For small values like 5 dBm, you can approximate the mW by raising 10 to the power of dBm divided by 10, which in this case is 10^0.5, roughly 3.16 mW.
What is the significance of converting dBm to mW in practical applications?
Converting to mW provides a linear measurement of power, useful for calculations involving signal strength, amplifier design, and power budgeting in electronic and wireless systems.