Earth Bondhon
Creators
Md Jony Islam Author
Md Jony Islam
CalculatorToolsProjectExpert
Reviewers
Małgorzata Koperska, MD Steven Wooding
Last updated: October 26, 2025

Effective Radiated Power (ERP) Calculator | dBm, Watts, Gain

🇺🇸
English
Default
🇪🇸
Español
Spanish
🇫🇷
Français
French
🇩🇪
Deutsch
German

Effective Radiated Power Calculator

Easily calculate the Effective Radiated Power (ERP) of an antenna system using transmitter power, cable loss, and antenna gain in watts or dBm.

Effective Radiated power calculator:

The Effective Radiated Power (ERP) Calculator is fast in estimating the power emitted in a certain direction by an antenna system. It is a combination of transmitter power, antenna gain, and line losses to provide correct ERP values in watts or dBm. ERP is employed by engineers, broadcasters, and RF technicians to assess the coverage of signals, improve antenna systems, and meet the broadcast power regulations. The tool simplifies the intricate radio engineering computations to be simplified into simple outputs.

effective radiated power tool Formula:

The Effective Radiated Power (ERP) Calculator is a calculator used to compute the power transmitted effectively by an antenna in a given direction. ERP takes into account the output power of the transmitter, antenna gain, and system losses (e.g., cable losses, connector losses, etc.).
The basic ERP formula is:

\[ ERP(W) = \textrm{Transmitter Power (W)} \times \textrm{Antenna Gain (linear)}\times \textrm{System Efficiency} \]

or in decibels:

\[ ERP(dBm) = \textrm{P_tx (dBm)} + \textrm{G_antenna (dBd)} - \textrm{L_cable (dB)} \]

This calculator assists engineers and radio operators in measuring the broadcasting range, regulatory compliance, as well as system performance. ERP value is applicable whether you are designing radio, TV, or communication systems; the transmission power will be in performance and safety standards.

Work & Installation — Input to Output Summary

The ERP calculator uses the transmitter output power (W or dBm), antenna gain (dBd), and system loss (dB) to calculate the ERP. The calculator will compute the Effective Radiated Power (ERP), the actual transmitted power, which has taken into consideration its losses. It is applicable in any RF, microwave, or wireless communications. The output assists in setting up amplifiers, cable runs, and the type of antennas to allow optimal radiation output and signal coverage.

Testing and Final Adjustments

Test. After computing ERP, test your results with an RF power meter. Test for high cable losses, or the cable may have different impedances, which will lower the ERP. Achieve this by tweaking your system by reducing connector losses and optimizing the positioning of the antennae to have better coverage. Compare the transmission strength of the test signal at different distances to guarantee good transmission strength. Proper ERP measurement would make sure that it adheres to the regulations of the communication authority and does not interfere with other systems.

Frequently Asked Questions - Effective Radiated Power Calculator:

What is Effective Radiated Power (ERP)?

ERP is the actual power radiated by an antenna system after accounting for antenna gain and system losses.

How is ERP calculated?

ERP (dBm) = P_tx (dBm) + G_antenna (dBd) − L_cable (dB).

What is the difference between ERP and EIRP?

EIRP uses gain relative to an isotropic radiator, while ERP uses gain relative to a dipole antenna.

Why is ERP important?

ERP determines transmission strength, range, and compliance with broadcast limits.

Can I calculate ERP in watts?

Yes, the calculator can convert ERP between watts, kilowatts, and dBm.

What causes power loss in RF systems?

Cable losses, connectors, and mismatched impedance reduce transmitted power.

What unit is antenna gain measured in?

Antenna gain is measured in dBd (dipole reference) or dBi (isotropic reference).

How do I convert dBm to watts?

Watts = 10^((dBm - 30)/10).

Is ERP used for FM broadcasting?

Yes, ERP is the standard for FM and TV broadcast power ratings.

What is a typical ERP range?

ERP can range from a few watts in small systems to hundreds of kilowatts in broadcast transmitters.

Md Jony Islam

Md Jony Islam

CalculatorToolsProject

Founder of Earthbondhon.com

a free online tools website designed to make everyday and engineering-related calculations easier for students, professionals, and hobbyists. The site offers a wide range of basic calculators across key categories, including Electrical Calculators, Electronic Calculators, and Time & Date Calculators.