Science
Decibel power ratio
Convert a decibel difference into power and equal-impedance amplitude ratios.
Calculators / Science / Sound intensity level
Sound intensity level calculator
Convert an acoustic intensity and reference intensity into a decibel level.
On this page
Intensity level60dB
Calculator controls
How to calculate
Convert an acoustic intensity and reference intensity into a decibel level.
Intensity level = 10*ln(i/r)/ln(10) dB
Worked example
Sound intensity (W/m²): 0.000001; Reference intensity (W/m²): 1e-12.
Intensity level: 60 dB.
Assumptions and limits
This is an intensity ratio, not an A-weighted sound-level reading or hearing-safety assessment. Reference intensity must be positive.
Results are rounded for display; calculations use unrounded values. Read our calculation methodology.
Understanding the result
Convert an acoustic intensity and reference intensity into a decibel level.
When this tool is useful
Intensity level = 10*ln(i/r)/ln(10) dB
Understanding your inputs
| Input | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Sound intensity (W/m²) | Enter a number of at least 1e-12 and no more than 1000000000000. |
| Reference intensity (W/m²) | Enter a number of at least 1e-12 and no more than 1000000000000. |
Frequently asked questions
What assumptions does this calculation use?
This is an intensity ratio, not an A-weighted sound-level reading or hearing-safety assessment. Reference intensity must be positive.
How is the result calculated?
Intensity level = 10*ln(i/r)/ln(10) dB