Decibels sound power to microwatts
Type a value in dB SWL to get it in µW instantly.
1,000µW
That's 3.2× as loud as a vacuum cleaner, while a pneumatic drill is 100× louder. That is about 0.001 acoustic watts.
What it means
How much sound is that?
The one-metre figure assumes a source radiating equally in all directions in free space. Near a wall or a floor the level is higher.
The math
How to convert dB SWL to µW
Sound power level is referred to one picowatt: dB SWL = 10 × log₁₀(W ÷ 10⁻¹²). The pressure level at one metre in free space is 11 dB lower.
Example: 90 dB SWL = 1,000 µW.
Every unit
Your sound power in every unit
Tables
dB SWL to µW conversion table
| dB SWL | µW |
|---|---|
| 20 dB SWL | 1×10⁻⁴ µW |
| 40 dB SWL | 0.01 µW |
| 60 dB SWL | 1 µW |
| 70 dB SWL | 10 µW |
| 80 dB SWL | 100 µW |
| 90 dB SWL | 1,000 µW |
| 100 dB SWL | 10,000 µW |
| 110 dB SWL | 100,000 µW |
| 120 dB SWL | 1,000,000 µW |
| 140 dB SWL | 100,000,000 µW |
µW to dB SWL conversion table
| µW | dB SWL |
|---|---|
| 20 µW | 73.0103 dB SWL |
| 40 µW | 76.0206 dB SWL |
| 60 µW | 77.7815 dB SWL |
| 70 µW | 78.451 dB SWL |
| 80 µW | 79.0309 dB SWL |
| 90 µW | 79.5424 dB SWL |
| 100 µW | 80 dB SWL |
| 110 µW | 80.4139 dB SWL |
| 120 µW | 80.7918 dB SWL |
| 140 µW | 81.4613 dB SWL |
Quick answers
Quick answers
- How many µW is 1 dB SWL?
- 1 dB SWL is 1.259×10⁻⁶ µW.
- How many µW is 10 dB SWL?
- 10 dB SWL is 1×10⁻⁵ µW.
- How many µW is 90 dB SWL?
- 90 dB SWL is 1,000 µW.
The units
About these units
Decibels sound power (dB SWL)
The standard rating, referred to one picowatt.
Microwatts (µW)
For quiet sources.
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