dBm to Volt-Ampere (VA) Converter
Power · unit-converter
Convert dBm to Volt-Ampere (VA) with a fixed input and output unit, step-by-step formula line, and reference tables. Linear units use SI watt definitions; mechanical hp uses 550 ft·lbf/s; BTU/h uses the IT BTU; dBm/dBW are logarithmic relative to 1 mW and 1 W. The full Power Converter also includes PS/CV, TR, kVA/MVA, and ft·lb/s.
Calculator
From: dBm (dbm)
To: Volt-Ampere (VA) (va)
About dBm
dBm is a logarithmic power level relative to 1 mW: P(W) = 10^((dBm − 30)/10). It is standard in RF and telecommunications; it is not a linear multiple of the watt.
About Volt-Ampere (VA)
Volt-amperes describe apparent power in AC circuits. At unity power factor, VA matches real power in watts; this tool uses that 1:1 mapping for conversion.
How to convert decibels relative to 1 mw (dbm) to volt-amperes (va, unity pf)
dBm/dBW are logarithmic power levels. P_W = 10^((dBm − 30) / 10), P_W = 10^(dBW / 10), and inverse mappings use 10 × log₁₀(·) with P_W > 0.
To reach Volt-Ampere (VA), convert dBm → W, then divide by the watt factor for va (1 W per 1 va).
Examples
Example #1: Convert 10 dbm to volt-ampere (va)
10 dbm → 0.01 va
Example #2: Convert 30 dbm to volt-ampere (va)
30 dbm → 1 va
Summary
To convert dBm to Volt-Ampere (VA), first convert dBm to watts: P_W = 10^((dBm − 30)/10). Then divide by the watt factor for va: value_va = P_W / 1.
Relationship context
You are converting between logarithmic RF levels (dBm) (Decibels relative to 1 mW (dBm)) and apparent power at unity PF (VA) (Volt-Amperes (VA, unity PF)). Log units (dBm/dBW) use base-10 definitions relative to 1 mW or 1 W; linear units map through watts first, then to or from the selected log unit. Only strictly positive power in watts maps to a real dB power value.
Conversion tables
| dBm (dbm) | Volt-Ampere (VA) (va) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.001023293 |
| 1 | 0.0012589254 |
| 2 | 0.0015848932 |
| 3 | 0.0019952623 |
| 4 | 0.0025118864 |
| 5 | 0.0031622777 |
| 6 | 0.0039810717 |
| 7 | 0.0050118723 |
| 8 | 0.0063095734 |
| 9 | 0.0079432823 |
| dBm (dbm) | Volt-Ampere (VA) (va) |
|---|---|
| 10 | 0.01 |
| 20 | 0.1 |
| 30 | 1 |
| 40 | 10 |
| 50 | 100 |
| 60 | 1,000 |
| 70 | 10,000 |
| 80 | 100,000 |
| 90 | 1,000,000 |
| 100 | 10,000,000 |