Sound Intensity Level (dB IL) Converter
Convert sound intensity between watts per square meter and decibels (dB IL), with microwatts and picowatts per square meter.
Convert sound intensity level (db il)
Result
Sound Intensity Level (dB IL) units
Every unit below converts to every other one in the calculator. Values are relative to the base unit, the watt per square meter (W/m²).
| Unit | Symbol | System | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watt per square meter | W/m² | SI | Base unit |
| Microwatt per square meter | µW/m² | SI | = 0.000001 W/m² |
| Picowatt per square meter | pW/m² | SI | = 1e-12 W/m² |
| Decibel IL (re 1 pW/m²) | dB IL | other | W/m² = 1e-12 × 10^(dB IL ÷ 10) |
More sound intensity level (db il) conversions
About sound intensity level (db il) units
Sound intensity is the power that a sound wave carries through each square meter of area, in watts per square meter (W/m²). As a level it is 10 times the base-10 logarithm of the intensity divided by the reference intensity of 1 pW/m² (10⁻¹² W/m²), roughly the threshold of hearing at 1 kHz. So 0 dB IL is 1 pW/m² and 120 dB IL is 1 W/m².
Because intensity is a power quantity, each 10 dB multiplies it by 10. In air under normal conditions the intensity level and the sound pressure level are nearly equal numerically, but they are different quantities and depend on the medium, so this page does not convert between them.
Frequently asked questions
- How many W/m² is 120 dB IL?
- 120 dB IL is exactly 1 W/m², because 120 dB is 10¹² times the reference intensity of 1 pW/m².
- What is the difference between dB IL and dB SPL?
- dB IL is based on sound intensity (power per area) with a 10 log scale and a 1 pW/m² reference. dB SPL is based on sound pressure with a 20 log scale and a 20 µPa reference. They are close in air but are different measurements.
- Does 3 dB really double the intensity?
- Almost: +3 dB multiplies the intensity by 10^0.3, about 1.995. The exact doubling is +3.0103 dB, which is why 3 dB is a common rounded figure.