Understanding 0 dBm: Definition and Conversion

This page explains what 0 dBm is and provides links to dBm vs. Watt and dBm vs. dBW converters. 0 dBm is equivalent to a power of 1 milliwatt (mW), which is also equal to 0.001 Watt or -30 dBW. Let’s explore this further using the equations below.

Understanding dBm, Watts, and dBW

RF engineers commonly use dBm, Watts, and dBW interchangeably for representation and convenience. Here are the key equations that define the relationships between these power units:

• Equation 1: dBm = 10 * Log₁₀(Power in milliwatts)
• Equation 2: Power in milliwatts = 10^{(Power in dBm/10)}
• Equation 3: dBW = dBm - 30

0 dBm is frequently used as a nominal output power level for many RF transmitters.