RF Exposure Calculator
Calculate power density at distance for FCC RF exposure compliance. Checks controlled and uncontrolled environment MPE limits.
Inputs
Results
Power Density
0.07057 mW/cm²
% of Uncontrolled Limit
35.28 %
Uncontrolled compliant
Yes
Min Safe Distance (Uncontrolled)
1.78 m
≈ 12 smartphones
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter transmitter output power (W) and antenna gain (dBd or dBi).
- Set the distance from the antenna to the nearest person (meters) and operating frequency (MHz).
- Enter your duty cycle (%) — the fraction of time actually transmitting.
- Review power density (mW/cm²) and compare to FCC MPE limits for controlled and uncontrolled environments.
- Ensure you are below 100% of the uncontrolled MPE limit for general public areas.
How the result changes with Distance to Person
| Distance to Person | Power Density | % of Uncontrolled Limit | Uncontrolled compliant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 0.00635 mW/cm² | 3.18 % | Yes |
| 35 | 0.00052 mW/cm² | 0.26 % | Yes |
| 65 | 0.00015 mW/cm² | 0.08 % | Yes |
| 90 | 0.00008 mW/cm² | 0.04 % | Yes |
What each input means
- Transmitter Power
- Transmitter output power in watts (PEP for SSB)
- Antenna Gain
- Antenna gain in direction of exposure point
- Distance to Person
- Distance from antenna to nearest person in meters
- Frequency
- Operating frequency in MHz (different limits by frequency band)
- Duty Cycle
- Average duty cycle (SSB voice ~40%, FM ~100%, CW ~50%, digital ~100%)
How this is calculated
Formula
S = (P × G × D%) / (4πd²); FCC OET Bulletin 65Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersTransmitter Power = 100, Antenna Gain = 3, Distance to Person = 3, Frequency = 146 = 5 input(s) provided
- Calculate Power DensityPower Density0.07057 = 0.07057
- Calculate % of Uncontrolled Limit% of Uncontrolled Limit35.28 = 35.28
- Calculate Uncontrolled compliantUncontrolled compliantYes = Yes
- Calculate MPE LimitMPE Limit1 = 1
- Calculate MPE LimitMPE Limit0.2 = 0.2
Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.
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