{
  "slug": "db-attenuation",
  "title": "dB Attenuation Calculator",
  "heading": "Decibel Attenuation Calculator",
  "category": "other",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/db-attenuation",
  "summary": "Convert dB change into a power or voltage ratio, or reverse it.",
  "description": "Decibels are logarithmic, so a 'small' number like -10 dB actually means one-tenth the power, and -6 dB roughly halves the voltage/amplitude. This calculator converts a dB change into the resulting ratio for either power or voltage/amplitude quantities — the two follow different formulas because power is proportional to voltage squared, which trips up a lot of people mixing up fader levels with actual signal reduction.",
  "formula": "Power ratio = 10^(dB/10); voltage/amplitude ratio = 10^(dB/20).",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-30",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=db-attenuation",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "db",
      "label": "dB change",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": -6,
      "unit": null,
      "min": -100,
      "max": 100
    },
    {
      "id": "quantityType",
      "label": "Quantity type",
      "kind": "select",
      "hint": null,
      "default": "voltage",
      "options": [
        {
          "value": "voltage",
          "label": "Voltage / amplitude / SPL"
        },
        {
          "value": "power",
          "label": "Power"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "ratio",
      "label": "Resulting ratio (multiplier)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "percentChange",
      "label": "Percent change",
      "format": "percent",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "inverseDb",
      "label": "dB change to reverse this",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "dB change: -6",
      "Quantity type: Voltage / amplitude / SPL"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Resulting ratio (multiplier): 0.5012",
      "Percent change: -49.9%",
      "dB change to reverse this: 6"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter db change.",
      "Enter quantity type.",
      "Read your resulting ratio (multiplier) on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "db": -4,
        "quantityType": "voltage"
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "db": -6,
        "quantityType": "voltage"
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "db": -10,
        "quantityType": "voltage"
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.",
    "Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.",
    "Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Why is -6 dB roughly half and -10 dB a tenth, using different exponents?",
      "a": "Power dB uses 10×log10(ratio) because power relates directly to energy, while voltage/amplitude dB uses 20×log10(ratio) because power is proportional to voltage squared — doubling voltage quadruples power, so the exponent doubles to keep both scales consistent for the same physical event. That's why -6 dB voltage ≈ half amplitude, but -3 dB power ≈ half power."
    },
    {
      "q": "Which one should I use for a fader or gain knob?",
      "a": "Mixing console faders and most plugin gain controls are calibrated in voltage/amplitude dB, so use that setting for gain staging, trim, and EQ questions. Use power dB when working with acoustic power, RF, or amplifier wattage output ratings."
    },
    {
      "q": "How does this relate to perceived loudness?",
      "a": "Human hearing perceives roughly a 10 dB increase as 'twice as loud' subjectively, even though that's a 10x power increase — loudness perception is its own logarithmic curve on top of the physical dB scale, which is why small dB moves can sound bigger or smaller than the math suggests."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/speaker-spl-distance",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/pa-power-sizing"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — dB Attenuation Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/db-attenuation)"
}