Decibel Gain
Convert a gain ratio into decibels for level planning.
About Decibel Gain
Decibels compress huge ratio ranges onto a log scale, using twenty times the logarithm for amplitude and ten times for power. Consoles, plugins and meters all speak in decibels, so translating a linear ratio into dB makes level changes comparable everywhere.
Formula
Decibel Gain
dB = 20 x log10(ratio) for amplitude; 10 x log10(ratio) for power
- dB
- Decibels, a logarithmic measure of relative level
Worked example
With the default values below, Decibel Gain returns Gain of 6.02. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.
Inputs used
- Gain ratiominimum 0
- 2
- Measureone of Amplitude (voltage), Power
- Amplitude (voltage)
Results
- Gain
- 6.02 dB
- Percentage Increase
- 1.0%
- Character
- Amplification
Step by step
- 1Values used
- 2Decibel Gain
- 3Gain= 6.02 dB
- 4Percentage Increase= 1.0
- 5Character= Amplification
Assumptions and limits
- The result is derived only from the 2 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
How is Decibel Gain calculated?
dB = 20 x log10(ratio) for amplitude; 10 x log10(ratio) for power Decibels compress huge ratio ranges onto a log scale, using twenty times the logarithm for amplitude and ten times for power.
Why does Decibel Gain matter?
Consoles, plugins and meters all speak in decibels, so translating a linear ratio into dB makes level changes comparable everywhere.
What values do I need to enter?
This calculator takes 2 inputs: Gain ratio, Measure. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.