Wi-Fi Signal Strength Information
Understanding dB levels and signal quality across different frequencies
2.4 GHz Wi-Fi
Signal Strength (dB) | Quality |
---|---|
-30 to -50 | Excellent |
-50 to -60 | Good |
-60 to -70 | Fair |
-70 to -80 | Poor |
-80 to -90 | Very Poor |
Less than -90 | No Signal |
Range: Longer range, better wall penetration
Speed: Slower speeds (up to 600 Mbps)
Congestion: More prone to interference
Typical Devices: Older devices, IoT devices
Safe Level: Generally, any signal strength above -70 dB is considered safe for most applications across all frequencies.
Maximum Level: The theoretical maximum is 0 dB for all frequencies, but in practice, anything above -30 dB is extremely rare and would indicate you're very close to the Wi-Fi source.
Note: Wi-Fi signal strength is typically measured in negative numbers. The closer to 0, the stronger the signal, regardless of the frequency band.
Frequency Differences: While the dB levels for signal quality are similar across frequencies, the actual range and performance can vary significantly. Higher frequencies (5 GHz and 6 GHz) offer faster speeds but have shorter range and less ability to penetrate walls compared to 2.4 GHz.