Cable Run Calculator
Calculate maximum cable length and signal loss for audio cable runs.
Inputs
ft
Results
Total Resistance
1.61 Ω
Max Recommended Length300 ft
Within Spec (1=Yes)1
Signal Loss (analog)1.5 dB
Power Loss (speaker)0%
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter Cable Length, Type (0=XLR, 1=Unbal, 2=Speaker, 3=USB), and Wire Gauge (AWG).
- Review the Total Resistance (Ω) result.
- Use Max Recommended Length (ft) and Within Spec (1=Yes) to inform your decision.
How the result changes with Wire Gauge (AWG)
| Wire Gauge (AWG) | Total Resistance |
|---|---|
| 12 | 0.16 Ω |
| 16 | 0.4 Ω |
| 20 | 1.61 Ω |
| 24 | 2.57 Ω |
What each input means
- Cable Length
- Total cable run length in feet.
- Type (0=XLR, 1=Unbal, 2=Speaker, 3=USB)
- 0 = XLR/balanced, 1 = unbalanced 1/4", 2 = speaker, 3 = USB.
- Wire Gauge (AWG)
- Wire gauge in AWG. Lower number = thicker wire = less resistance.
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input ParametersCable Length = 50, Type (0=XLR, 1=Unbal, 2=Speaker, 3=USB) = 0, Wire Gauge (AWG) = 22 = 3 input(s) provided
- Calculate Total ResistanceTotal Resistance1.614 = 1.614
- Calculate Max Recommended LengthMax Recommended Length300 = 300
- Calculate Within SpecWithin Spec1 = 1
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