5 dBm equals approximately 3.16 milliwatts (mW).
The conversion from dBm to mW involves using a logarithmic formula where 5 dBm is transformed into a linear power measurement. Since dBm is a logarithmic unit, we convert it by reversing the logarithmic calculation, which gives us the actual power in milliwatts.
Result of 5 dBm to mW
The power in milliwatts for 5 dBm is 3.16 mW.
Conversion Tool
Result in mw:
Conversion Formula
The conversion from dbm to mw uses the formula: mw = 10^(dBm/10). This formula works because dBm is a logarithmic measure of power relative to 1 milliwatt. Raising 10 to the power of dBm divided by 10 converts the logarithmic value back to linear power.
For example, to convert 5 dBm to mw: 10^(5/10) = 10^0.5 = 3.1623 mw.
Conversion Example
- Convert 10 dBm:
- Divide 10 by 10: 10/10 = 1
- Calculate 10^1: 10^1 = 10 mw
- Convert -10 dBm:
- Divide -10 by 10: -10/10 = -1
- Calculate 10^-1: 10^-1 = 0.1 mw
- Convert 0 dBm:
- Divide 0 by 10: 0/10 = 0
- Calculate 10^0: 10^0 = 1 mw
- Convert 20 dBm:
- Divide 20 by 10: 20/10 = 2
- Calculate 10^2: 10^2 = 100 mw
- Convert 15 dBm:
- Divide 15 by 10: 15/10 = 1.5
- Calculate 10^1.5: 10^1.5 ≈ 31.6228 mw
Conversion Chart
This chart shows how different dBm values convert to milliwatts. To use it, find your dBm value in the first column, then read across to see the corresponding milliwatt value. It helps quickly estimate power levels without calculations.
| dBm | mW |
|---|---|
| -20.0 | 0.0001 |
| -15.0 | 0.00032 |
| -10.0 | 0.001 |
| -5.0 | 0.00316 |
| 0.0 | 1 |
| 5.0 | 3.16 |
| 10.0 | 10 |
| 15.0 | 31.62 |
| 20.0 | 100 |
| 25.0 | 316.23 |
| 30.0 | 1000 |
Related Conversion Questions
- What is the equivalent of 5 dBm in mW and how do I calculate it?
- How can I convert 5 dBm to milliwatts manually?
- What does 5 dBm mean in terms of power output in mW?
- Is 5 dBm considered a high or low power level in mW?
- Can I convert 5 dBm to microWatts directly?
- What is the formula for changing dBm to mW and why does it work?
- How do I quickly find the mW value for 5 dBm without a calculator?
Conversion Definitions
dbm: A unit for measuring power levels relative to 1 milliwatt, expressed in logarithmic form, used in telecommunications and radio to describe signal strength, with higher values indicating stronger signals.
mw: Milliwatt is a basic unit of power measurement in the metric system, representing one-thousandth of a watt, used to quantify small amounts of electrical power, especially in electronic devices and communication systems.
Conversion FAQs
How accurate is converting dbm to mW using this formula?
The conversion is mathematically exact based on the logarithmic relationship. Minor discrepancies may occur due to rounding off the decimal result, but overall, the formula provides precise conversions for practical purposes.
Can I use this method to convert any dBm value to mW?
Yes, the formula works for all dBm values, whether positive or negative. It accurately converts from logarithmic to linear power, making it suitable for a wide range of signal levels in electronics and radio communication.
What happens if I input a negative dBm value in the tool?
Entering negative dBm values will show a result less than 1 milliwatt, reflecting lower power signals. The calculation still stays correct because the same logarithmic formula applies regardless of the sign.
Is there a limit to the dBm values I can convert?
Theoretically, no. The formula works for any real number, but extremely high or low values may lead to very large or tiny results, which could be impractical to interpret without scientific notation or additional context.
How does the logarithmic nature of dBm affect power calculations?
Since dBm is logarithmic, small changes in dBm can lead to large differences in mW. This makes it easier to compare very different power levels but requires careful conversion to understand the actual power differences.
Last Updated : 21 June, 2025
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.