WiFi Range Calculator
Estimate your WiFi coverage range based on router specifications, frequency band, transmit power, antenna gain, wall materials, and environment type. See visual range circles and get practical recommendations to extend your wireless coverage.
How the WiFi Range Calculator Works
The WiFi Range Calculator is a free browser-based tool that estimates your wireless router's coverage area using the Free Space Path Loss (FSPL) formula. This physics-based equation models how radio signals weaken as they travel through space and encounter obstacles. The calculator takes your router's transmit power, antenna gain, operating frequency, and environment conditions to compute the maximum distance at which devices can maintain a reliable connection.
FSPL is expressed as: FSPL (dB) = 20 log10(distance) + 20 log10(frequency) + 20 log10(4 pi / c). By rearranging this formula and subtracting losses from walls, obstacles, and environmental absorption, the tool solves for the maximum distance at two signal strength thresholds: -70 dBm for a good connection suitable for video calls and streaming, and -80 dBm for a usable connection adequate for web browsing and email.
Factors That Affect WiFi Range
Several factors determine how far your WiFi signal can reach. Frequency band is the most significant: 2.4 GHz signals travel roughly twice as far as 5 GHz signals because lower frequencies experience less atmospheric absorption and diffract better around obstacles. Transmit power and antenna gain directly increase the signal budget available, while receiver sensitivity determines the minimum signal a device can decode.
Physical obstacles cause the most unpredictable losses. Drywall attenuates roughly 3 dB per wall, brick walls absorb about 6 dB, concrete walls block 10 dB or more, and metal surfaces can reflect or block signals almost entirely at 15 dB loss. The number of walls between router and device accumulates these losses quickly. Environmental factors like furniture, appliances, and other WiFi networks add interference that further reduces effective range.
WiFi Range by Frequency Band
Each WiFi frequency band offers different tradeoffs between range and speed. The table below summarizes typical indoor ranges for a standard router (20 dBm, 2 dBi antenna) in a typical home environment.
| Band | Typical Indoor Range | Max Speed | Interference | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | 35-50 m (115-165 ft) | Up to 600 Mbps | High (crowded band) | Coverage, IoT devices |
| 5 GHz | 15-30 m (50-100 ft) | Up to 3.5 Gbps | Low | Streaming, gaming |
| 6 GHz | 10-20 m (33-66 ft) | Up to 9.6 Gbps | Very low (new band) | High-density, AR/VR |
WiFi 6E and WiFi 7 routers operating on the 6 GHz band deliver the fastest speeds but cover the smallest area. For whole-home coverage, most users benefit from a dual-band or tri-band router that uses 2.4 GHz for distant devices and 5 GHz or 6 GHz for nearby high-bandwidth tasks.
Tips to Extend Your WiFi Coverage
If your calculated range does not cover your entire space, several strategies can help. Place your router in a central, elevated location away from walls and metal objects. Upgrading to a higher-gain external antenna can add 3-10 dBi to your signal budget. Mesh WiFi systems use multiple access points to blanket large homes with seamless coverage, typically adding 100-200 square meters per node.
WiFi extenders and repeaters can push coverage into dead zones, though they reduce throughput by half since they share bandwidth between receiving and retransmitting. Powerline adapters with WiFi provide an alternative by using your home electrical wiring to carry the signal to distant rooms. For multi-floor buildings, consider placing an access point on each floor connected by ethernet backhaul for the best performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far does WiFi reach indoors?
A typical home WiFi router on the 2.4 GHz band reaches 30-50 meters (100-165 feet) indoors with a few drywall walls. On the 5 GHz band, expect 15-30 meters (50-100 feet). Actual range depends heavily on wall materials, transmit power, and interference from neighboring networks.
Does 5 GHz have less range than 2.4 GHz?
Yes. Higher frequencies experience greater path loss over distance and are absorbed more by walls and obstacles. The 5 GHz band typically covers about half the distance of 2.4 GHz. However, 5 GHz offers faster speeds and less interference because fewer devices and networks use it.
How many walls can WiFi go through?
It depends on the wall material. WiFi can penetrate 4-5 drywall walls before the signal becomes unusable, but only 1-2 concrete or brick walls. Metal walls and foil-backed insulation are nearly impenetrable. Each wall reduces signal strength by 2-15 dB depending on material.
Will a WiFi extender improve my range?
A WiFi extender or repeater can push your coverage 10-20 meters further into dead zones. However, traditional repeaters halve your available bandwidth because they use the same radio to receive and retransmit. Mesh systems with dedicated backhaul channels provide better coverage without the speed penalty.
What is a good WiFi signal strength?
Signal strength is measured in dBm (decibels relative to one milliwatt). -30 to -50 dBm is excellent (very close to the router), -50 to -70 dBm is good for streaming and video calls, -70 to -80 dBm is usable for browsing and email, and below -80 dBm the connection becomes unreliable.
How do I check my WiFi range?
Walk through your space with a WiFi analyzer app on your phone, noting signal strength at different locations. On Windows, the command "netsh wlan show interfaces" displays current signal quality. On macOS, hold Option and click the WiFi icon for detailed signal info. Our Network Connection Info tool can also show your current connection quality.