dB dBu dBV dBm to volts conversion calculator volt - volts to dBu and dBV dB - convert dB volt calculation online attenuation loss gain ratio reference

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Voltage and voltage level
• dB conversion •
dBu → volts (rms), dBV → volts (rms)
volts (rms) → dBu and dBV

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The reference voltage for dBu is 0.775 volt (0.77459667 V) and for dBV it is exactly 1.0 volt.

The origin of the index of dBu is from "u = unloaded" and of dBV is from "V = 1 volt". Some say:
The "u" in dBu implies that the load impedance is un specified, un terminated, and is likely to be high.

If you need dBm with "m = 1 milliwatt", go to: Conversion: Voltage V to dB, dBu, dBV, and dBm

Conversion of voltage or power ratios to decibels dB - table and chart
Table of Sound Pressure Levels and Corresponding Sound Pressure and Sound Intensity

RMS voltage, peak voltage and peak-to-peak voltage

The parameters of the mains or "power" sine wave form are summarized in the table below:

Average voltage	RMS voltage (V_RMS)	Peak voltage (V_p)	Peak-to-peak voltage (V_p-p)
0 volts	117 volts = V_RMS	165 volts = √2×V_RMS	330 volts = 2×√2×V_RMS
0 volts	230 volts = V_RMS	325 volts = √2×V_RMS	650 volts = 2×√2×V_RMS

	V_rms	V_p	V_p-p
RMS value V_RMS =	-	0.7071 × V_p	0.3535 × V_p-p
Peak value V_p =	1.414 × V_rms	-	0.5000 × V_p-p
Peak to peak V_p-p =	2.828 × V_rms	2.000 × V_p	-

The crest factor means the ratio of the peak voltage to the RMS voltage.

If you need to calculate an attenuator (attenuation calculation) you calculate a voltage divider.

International levels

Level	Level L in dB	Voltage (RMS)
International studio level - USA	+4 dBu	1.228 V
European studio level - ARD broadcast level	+6 dBu	1.55 V
Domestic recording (Consumer units)	-10 dBV	0.3162 V = -7.78 dBu
Sound pressure level (auditory threshold)	dBSPL	0 dBSPL = 2×10^-5 Pa

International reference values

Physical unit	Reference value	Level unit	Note
Voltage	U₀ = 0.775 V	= 0 dBu	Audio technique, no impedance reference!
Voltage	U₀ = 1 V	= 0 dBV	Audio technique, USA
Voltage	U₀ = 1×10^-6 V		HF receiver and amplifier technique
Voltage	U₀ = 0.224 V		HF technique, 1 mW at R = 50 Ω - Reference 1mW
Voltage	U = 1.228 V		Studio level +4 dBu, USA - Reference 0.7746 V
Voltage	U = 1.55 V		Studio level +6 dBu, ARD - Reference 0.7746 V
Voltage	U = 0.3162 V		Home recording level -10 dBV = 7.78 dBu - Reference 0.7746 V
Power	P₀ = 1 W	= 0 dBW
Power	P₀ = 1 mW	= 0 dBm	at R = 600 Ω (telephones) or 50 Ω (antennas)
Electric field strength	E₀ = 1×10^-6 V/m
Sound pressure	p₀ = 2×10^-5 Pa	= 0 dBSPL	Sound Pressure Level SPL, auditory threshold ("Sound field size")
Sound particle velocity	v₀ = 5×10^-8 m/s	= 0 dBSPL
Sound intensity	I₀ = 1×10^-12 W/m²	= 0 dBSPL	Threshold of pain at 1 W/m² ("Sound energy size")

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dBu	dBV	volts (RMS)
↓	↓	↓
dBV	dBu	dBu
volts (RMS)	volts (RMS)	dBV

volts (p-p)	volts (p-p)