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BLE Range Estimate Calculator

Work out ble range estimate instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About BLE Range Estimate Calculator

BLE at 2.4 GHz loses 40 dB in the first metre, so the link budget of roughly 90 dB translates into tens of metres indoors. Every wall adds 5-15 dB, which is why the effective path loss exponent rises from 2 in the open to over 4 through partitions.

Formula

BLE range

budget = Ptx + antenna gain - sensitivity - fade margin; range from log-distance path loss with environment exponent n

Worked example

With the default values below, BLE Range Estimate Calculator returns Estimated range of 89.64. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Transmit power
4 dBm
Receiver sensitivity
-95 dBm
Combined antenna gain
-2 dBi
Environmentone of Line of sight, Open indoor, Office with walls, Through several walls
Open indoor

Results

Estimated range
89.64 m
Link budget
89.00 dB
Path loss exponent
2.50
Expected RSSI at 1 metre
-38.19 dBm

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2BLE range
  3. 3Estimated range= 89.64 m
  4. 4Link budget= 89.00 dB
  5. 5Path loss exponent= 2.50
  6. 6Expected RSSI at 1 metre= -38.19 dBm

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is RSSI at 1 m so useful?

It is the calibration constant for distance estimation and beacon proximity. Measuring it directly is far more reliable than calculating it.

Can BLE really do 100 m?

Only in free space with coded PHY and good antennas. Real indoor deployments with chip antennas and a body in the way see 10-30 m.

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