WiFi Coverage Calculator
Estimate wireless coverage range and area for access point deployments.
WiFi Signal Level Reference
| Signal | Quality | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| -50 to -60 dBm | Excellent | 4K Video, real-time apps |
| -60 to -67 dBm | Good | VoIP, HD video streaming |
| -67 to -70 dBm | Fair | Web, email, file transfer |
| -70 to -80 dBm | Marginal | Basic connectivity |
| Below -80 dBm | Poor | Unreliable connection |
WiFi Coverage Planning
Path Loss Model
Path Loss = FSPL + Environment Factor + Penetration Losses
FSPL = 20*log(d) + 20*log(f) - 27.55 (d in meters, f in MHz)
FSPL = 20*log(d) + 20*log(f) - 27.55 (d in meters, f in MHz)
Indoor environments add significant loss beyond free space. Walls, furniture, and building materials all attenuate the signal. 5 GHz and 6 GHz have higher FSPL but better performance in dense environments.
Coverage Tips
- Plan for 15-20% overlap between APs
- Use 2.4 GHz for coverage, 5/6 GHz for capacity
- Consider client device limitations (often 14-17 dBm)
- Account for worst-case scenarios (people, furniture)
- Survey actual environment when possible