Free tools for your next audio edit
dB to gain calculator. Translate a level change.
Convert a gain change in decibels to an amplitude multiplier, or work backward from a positive ratio. Compare the formulas and reference values before using a result in your editor. No audio file or account needed.
Decibels to linear gain
Free · no uploadEnter −120 to +120 dB. A negative value attenuates; 0 dB leaves amplitude unchanged.
0.50118723× amplitude
Multiply every sample by this ratio for the ideal fixed gain. It is not a measured audio level.
Linear amplitude ratio to dB
Enter 0.000001 to 1,000,000. Use a positive magnitude ratio, not a power ratio.
-6.0205999 dB
0.5× output amplitude relative to the input.
No audio is opened, uploaded, generated or modified. Select the displayed result to copy it. Each calculation is independent and resets when the page is reloaded.
Choose the direction
Convert decibels to an amplitude multiplier
- 01 / ENTER
Start with a gain change
Enter a gain in dB to find its linear amplitude ratio. For example, −6 dB is about 0.50118723×, slightly more than half amplitude.
- 02 / REVERSE
Work backward from a ratio
Use the reverse input when you know output amplitude divided by input amplitude. A ratio of 0.5 is about −6.0205999 dB; 2 is about +6.0205999 dB. These are amplitude ratios, not percentages of perceived loudness.
- 03 / CHECK
Apply and measure elsewhere
This calculator changes numbers only. If you apply gain in an editor, check the actual exported recording for peaks, distortion and the delivery level you need.
The calculation
Why amplitude uses 20 log₁₀
amplitude ratio = 10^(gain dB / 20)gain dB = 20 × log₁₀(amplitude ratio)The Web Audio specification defines these conversions between decibels and linear gain. The ratio is dimensionless: 1× means equal input and output amplitude. A GainNode multiplies samples by its linear gain value.
Power uses a different conversion: power ratio = 10^(dB / 10). Do not enter a power ratio into the amplitude input. When power is proportional to amplitude squared under the same reference conditions, doubling amplitude corresponds to four times power. This page is not an amplifier-power or electrical-impedance calculator.
Zero amplitude relative to a nonzero reference tends to −∞ dB. The finite-range inputs deliberately reject zero rather than invent a numerical floor. A negative sample multiplier also reverses polarity; its sign cannot be represented by a positive amplitude ratio alone.
Reference values
dB to linear gain table
Amplitude multipliers rounded to eight significant digits. The calculation retains floating-point precision before display rounding.
| Gain change | Amplitude multiplier |
|---|---|
| -60 dB | 0.001× |
| -20 dB | 0.1× |
| -12 dB | 0.25118864× |
| -6 dB | 0.50118723× |
| -3 dB | 0.70794578× |
| 0 dB | 1× |
| +3 dB | 1.4125375× |
| +6 dB | 1.9952623× |
| +12 dB | 3.9810717× |
| +20 dB | 10× |
Keep the reference clear
0 dB gain is different from 0 dBFS
0 dB gain means a multiplier of 1: no amplitude change. dBFS instead describes a digital level relative to full scale. A recording at −12 dBFS sample peak stays at that peak after 0 dB gain, in the ideal unchanged signal path.
For a simple fixed-gain example, a −12 dBFS sample peak plus +6 dB gain predicts −6 dBFS sample peak before rounding or other processing. This does not predict true peak between samples. Mixing, filtering, resampling or lossy encoding can change the final peaks; a later integer export may clip out-of-range values.
Neither input measures sound pressure in a room, playback volume, perceived loudness or LUFS. A +6 dB gain is not a promise that a listener hears twice the loudness. For a recording, use the loudness meter or read the peak and loudness normalization guide.
Use the result
Choose a file-processing tool when you need an export
The peak normalizer applies a fixed gain toward a sample-peak target. The loudness normalizer instead starts from measured integrated loudness and limits gain by its sample ceiling. Those tools have their own format and duration limits; this numeric calculator does not process or certify an audio file.
For AI source separation, Saturalabs uses a separate uploaded-recording workflow with account and download credits. Converting a dB value does not start an AI job or isolate a sound.
A few useful answers
dB to gain calculator questions
How do I convert dB to linear gain?
For an amplitude multiplier, use 10 raised to the power of dB divided by 20. For example, +20 dB is 10× amplitude, while −20 dB is 0.1×. This calculator accepts −120 to +120 dB.
Is −6 dB exactly half amplitude?
No. −6 dB is about 0.50118723× amplitude. Exactly half amplitude corresponds to about −6.0205999 dB. Display rounding does not change that distinction.
Does 0 dB mean silence?
0 dB gain means unity: the output amplitude equals the input amplitude. Zero output amplitude relative to a nonzero reference has no finite dB value and tends to negative infinity. The reverse input accepts only positive ratios within its stated range.
Is this a power, dBFS or loudness calculator?
It converts a gain change and a linear amplitude ratio. Power ratios use 10 log10 rather than 20 log10. dBFS needs a full-scale reference, while LUFS requires a loudness measurement. No room sound pressure, perceived volume or recording level is measured here.
Will this apply gain to my audio?
No. It calculates numbers locally and never opens or uploads audio. Use an audio editor or a suitable normalization tool to create an export, then check that actual file. No sign-up, credits or payment are required for this calculator.
After preparing your audio