Tools / db-linear-converter

dB ↔ Linear Converter (Decibel to Linear Ratio Calculator)

Tool to convert decibels (dB) to linear ratio and linear ratio to dB. This converter is widely used in RF engineering, telecommunications, signal processing, and wireless network design.

Result

Enter a value and convert.

dB and Linear Conversion Formula

Power Ratio

• Linear = 10^(dB / 10)
• dB = 10 * log10(Linear)

Amplitude / Voltage Ratio

• Linear = 10^(dB / 20)
• dB = 20 * log10(Linear)

Use power ratio for gain, loss, and power budget calculations. Use amplitude ratio for voltage, current, or field-strength style comparisons.

dB ↔ Linear Conversion

Understanding how to convert between logarithmic (dB) and linear values is essential for tasks such as link budget calculations, amplifier gain analysis, and signal-to-noise ratio evaluation.

What is dB (Decibel)?

The decibel (dB) is a logarithmic unit used to express the ratio between two power or amplitude values.

It is commonly used in:

• RF and microwave engineering
• Wireless communication (5G, LTE, Wi-Fi)
• Audio systems
• Signal processing
• Antenna gain calculations

Because many systems operate over very large dynamic ranges, using logarithmic units like dB makes calculations easier.

dB to Linear Conversion Formula

To convert decibels to linear power ratio, use:

Linear = 10^(dB / 10)

Where:

• dB = value in decibels
• Linear = power ratio

Example:

If gain = 10 dB

Linear = 10^(10 / 10) = 10

This means the output power is 10x larger than the input power.

Linear to dB Conversion Formula

To convert linear ratio to decibels, use:

dB = 10 * log10(Linear)

Example:

If power ratio = 100

dB = 10 * log10(100) = 20 dB

Voltage and Current Conversion

For voltage or current ratios, the formula is slightly different because power is proportional to the square of voltage.

Voltage / Current Ratio

dB = 20 * log10(V2 / V1)

and

V2 / V1 = 10^(dB / 20)

This is used in:

• amplifier design
• audio systems
• analog signal processing

Common dB ↔ Linear Conversion Table