2.4 GHz Channel Planner
Plan a 2.4 GHz deployment against the only three non-overlapping channels, and see the co-channel contention it creates.
Inputs
Radios Sharing Each Channel
4.00
Usable Channels
3
Co-Channel Neighbours per Radio
3.00
Resulting Channel Utilisation
100.0%
Assessment
Saturated — reduce 2.4 GHz radios or disable the band on some APs
Step by step
Values used
2.4 GHz radios in the coverage area = 12 radios; Non-overlapping channels in your regulatory domain = 3 — channels 1/6/11 (FCC and most of the world); Using 40 MHz channel bonding = No; Airtime demanded per radio = 30 %
2.4 GHz Channel
radios per channel = 2.4 GHz radios ÷ usable channels; channel utilisation = radios per channel × airtime demanded per radio.
Radios Sharing Each Channel
= 4.00
Usable Channels
= 3
Co-Channel Neighbours per Radio
= 3.00
Resulting Channel Utilisation
= 100.0
Assessment
= Saturated — reduce 2.4 GHz radios or disable the band on some APs
How it works
The 2.4 GHz band is 83.5 MHz wide, which fits only three 20 MHz channels without overlap, so every extra radio has to share one of them. Because co-channel radios take turns rather than transmitting simultaneously, their airtime demands add up until the channel is fully busy. 2.4 GHz is the band legacy IoT and guest devices land on, and leaving it enabled on every AP is the most common cause of a Wi-Fi network that tests well and performs badly.
Formula
2.4 GHz Channel
radios per channel = 2.4 GHz radios ÷ usable channels; channel utilisation = radios per channel × airtime demanded per radio.
- usableChannels
- 3 with 1/6/11, halved if 40 MHz bonding is enabled
- airtimeDemand
- Share of airtime one radio's clients ask for
Frequently Asked Questions
How is 2.4 GHz Channel calculated?
radios per channel = 2.4 GHz radios ÷ usable channels; channel utilisation = radios per channel × airtime demanded per radio. The 2.4 GHz band is 83.5 MHz wide, which fits only three 20 MHz channels without overlap, so every extra radio has to share one of them. Because co-channel radios take turns rather than transmitting simultaneously, their airtime demands add up until the channel is fully busy.
Why does 2.4 GHz Channel matter?
2.4 GHz is the band legacy IoT and guest devices land on, and leaving it enabled on every AP is the most common cause of a Wi-Fi network that tests well and performs badly.
What values do I need to enter?
This calculator takes 4 inputs: 2.4 GHz radios in the coverage area, Non-overlapping channels in your regulatory domain, Using 40 MHz channel bonding, Airtime demanded per radio. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.