WiFi Coverage
Estimate WiFi access point coverage radius and area based on power and environment.
About WiFi Coverage
WiFi range is estimated using the free-space path loss (FSPL) model, which relates signal loss to distance and frequency: FSPL(dB) = 20·log10(distance_km) + 20·log10(freq_MHz) + 32.44. Rearranging for distance, given the maximum path loss the link budget allows (transmit power minus receiver sensitivity minus any wall/obstruction attenuation), yields the theoretical range. Higher frequencies (5/6 GHz) attenuate faster over distance than 2.4 GHz, which is why 2.4 GHz networks reach further but 5/6 GHz offer more capacity and less interference at closer range. Real-world range is usually shorter than this free-space estimate due to additional obstructions, multipath, and interference not captured by this simplified model.
Formulas
Free-space path loss
FSPL(dB) = 20·log10(distance_km) + 20·log10(freq_MHz) + 32.44
- d
- Distance in kilometers
- f
- Frequency in MHz
Maximum range from link budget
range = 10^((tx_power − rx_sensitivity − wall_loss − 20log10(f) − 32.44) / 20)
Worked example
With the default values below, WiFi Coverage returns Estimated Range per AP of 75.7. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.
Inputs used
- Number of Access Pointsminimum 1
- 1
- AP Transmit Poweraccepts 0–30 dBm
- 20 dBm
- Frequency Bandone of 2.4 GHz (better range, more interference), 5 GHz (less range, less interference), 6 GHz (shortest range, cleanest spectrum)
- 5 GHz (less range, less interference)
- Client Receiver Sensitivityaccepts -95–-50 dBm
- -70 dBm
- Wall/Obstruction Attenuationaccepts 0–30 dB
- 6 dB
Results
- Estimated Range per AP
- 75.7 m
- Coverage Area per AP
- 17,997 m²
- Total Coverage Area (all APs)
- 17,997 m²
- Max Allowed Path Loss Budget
- 84.0 dB
Step by step
- 1Values used
- 2Free-space path loss
- 3Maximum range from link budget
- 4Estimated Range per AP= 75.7 m
- 5Coverage Area per AP= 17,997 m²
- 6Total Coverage Area (all APs)= 17,997 m²
- 7Max Allowed Path Loss Budget= 84.0 dB
Assumptions and limits
- The result is derived only from the 5 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
- In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax or fees or charges into account.
- Figures are rounded for display to 1 decimal place, 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 does 5 GHz have less range than 2.4 GHz at the same power?
Higher frequency signals attenuate faster over distance and are more easily blocked by obstacles, which is a direct consequence of the FSPL formula's 20·log10(freq_MHz) term — doubling frequency from 2.4 to roughly 5 GHz adds about 6.3 dB of extra path loss at the same distance.
Why is real-world WiFi range usually shorter than the free-space estimate?
The free-space model assumes an unobstructed line-of-sight path with no reflections, interference, or absorption. Real environments have walls, furniture, other WiFi networks sharing spectrum, and multipath fading, all of which reduce effective range below the theoretical free-space number.
What receiver sensitivity should I use for a typical client?
Most consumer WiFi clients need roughly -70 dBm or stronger for a solid, high-throughput connection, though they may still connect (at lower speeds) down to around -85 to -90 dBm. Video calls and high-bandwidth applications generally want -65 dBm or better.
How does adding more access points help coverage?
Each additional AP adds its own coverage cell, so total coverage area scales with AP count assuming cells don't need to overlap much — but AP placement, overlap for roaming, and interference between APs on the same channel all matter in real deployments, which this simplified model doesn't capture.