How to convert watts per square meter to decibels
dB SIL = 10 × log₁₀(W/m² × 1,000,000,000,000)Express the quantity as a ratio to the reference level, take the base-10 logarithm, then multiply by 10.
Worked examples
- 1 watt per square meter1 W/m² → 120 dB SIL
- 5 watts per square meter5 W/m² → 126.9897 dB SIL
- 10 watts per square meter10 W/m² → 130 dB SIL
- 20 watts per square meter20 W/m² → 133.0103 dB SIL
- 100 watts per square meter100 W/m² → 140 dB SIL
Watts per square meter to decibels conversion table
Values are calculated by the conversion engine using the full formula and rounded to 8 significant figures.
| Watts per square meter (W/m²) | Decibels (dB SIL) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 W/m² | 110 dB SIL |
| 0.25 W/m² | 113.9794 dB SIL |
| 0.5 W/m² | 116.9897 dB SIL |
| 1 W/m² | 120 dB SIL |
| 2 W/m² | 123.0103 dB SIL |
| 3 W/m² | 124.77121 dB SIL |
| 4 W/m² | 126.0206 dB SIL |
| 5 W/m² | 126.9897 dB SIL |
| 6 W/m² | 127.78151 dB SIL |
| 7 W/m² | 128.45098 dB SIL |
| 8 W/m² | 129.0309 dB SIL |
| 9 W/m² | 129.54243 dB SIL |
| 10 W/m² | 130 dB SIL |
| Watts per square meter (W/m²) | Decibels (dB SIL) |
|---|---|
| 12 W/m² | 130.79181 dB SIL |
| 15 W/m² | 131.76091 dB SIL |
| 20 W/m² | 133.0103 dB SIL |
| 25 W/m² | 133.9794 dB SIL |
| 30 W/m² | 134.77121 dB SIL |
| 40 W/m² | 136.0206 dB SIL |
| 50 W/m² | 136.9897 dB SIL |
| 75 W/m² | 138.75061 dB SIL |
| 100 W/m² | 140 dB SIL |
| 250 W/m² | 143.9794 dB SIL |
| 500 W/m² | 146.9897 dB SIL |
| 1,000 W/m² | 150 dB SIL |
About the units
Watt per square meter (W/m²)
The watt per square meter (W/m²) is a unit of sound intensity level in the International System of Units (SI).
Decibel (dB SIL)
The decibel (dB SIL) is a unit of sound intensity level. It is a logarithmic level: 0 dB SIL corresponds to 1×10⁻¹² W/m².
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula to convert watts per square meter to decibels?
dB SIL = 10 × log₁₀(W/m² × 1,000,000,000,000). Express the quantity as a ratio to the reference level, take the base-10 logarithm, then multiply by 10.
What is 5 watts per square meter in decibels?
5 W/m² = 126.9897 dB SIL.
Is this W/m² to dB SIL converter accurate?
Yes. Both units are defined exactly in terms of SI units, so the conversion factor is exact; results are shown to 12 significant figures by default and you can change precision in the converter. Calculations run in your browser using the same tested engine that generated this page.