Free Space Path Loss Calculator
Calculate the signal attenuation in free space between a transmitter and receiver.
What is path loss?
Like shouting across a field — the farther away someone is, the quieter it sounds. RF signals weaken with distance in the same way. Higher frequencies also fade faster than lower ones.
Why does this matter?
Cell tower engineers use path loss calculations to determine how many towers are needed to cover a city. Too few towers and the signal becomes too weak; too many wastes money. This calculator gives the baseline "best case" loss in open air.
Free-space path loss assumes an unobstructed line-of-sight path with no reflections, absorption, or diffraction. Real-world links have additional losses from terrain, atmosphere, and rain fade.