Coax Signal Loss Calculator for dBmV Levels

June 22, 2026

Coax Signal Loss Calculator

Estimate coax attenuation, splitter loss, connector loss, amplifier gain, antenna gain, final dBmV level, and tuner margin for TV, OTA, MoCA, modem, and distribution runs.

📺Named coax and antenna presets

⚙Coax link inputs

Run length unit

Cable loss is calculated internally per 100 ft. Metric entries are converted automatically.

System profile

Coax cable type

Frequency (MHz) Use the highest channel or band that must pass reliably.

Run length (ft)

Input level before this run (dBmV) Use measured level at the antenna preamp, demarc, amp output, or source.

Antenna or source gain (dB) For OTA, enter antenna gain or leave 0 if input dBmV already includes it.

2-way splitter outputs in path

4-way splitter outputs in path

8-way splitter outputs in path

Tap, diplexer, filter, or custom loss (dB)

Connector / barrel count

Loss per connector (dB)

Amplifier or preamp gain (dB) Use negative values for pads or fixed attenuators.

Amp noise / tilt reserve (dB) Planning allowance for amp noise figure, slope, aging, or imperfect balance.

Minimum target at device (dBmV)

Maximum target at device (dBmV)

Custom cable loss at 1 GHz (dB / 100 ft) Used only when Custom coax loss is selected.

dBmV results assume 75-ohm coax systems. Manufacturer cable loss and field measurements should win over planning estimates.

Coax signal result

Total downstream loss 0.0 dB from coax and passives

Output level 0.0 dBmV at device input

Level margin 0.0 dB to target window

Equivalent RF power 0.0 dBm in 75 ohm

Run the calculator to see pass, tight, or overload status.

🗂Coax spec grid

4.8dB / 100 ft now

3.6cable loss dB

7.0splitter loss dB

0.8connector loss dB

0.0net gain dB

8.0input dBmV

-3.3output dBmV

151max ft to min

📊Coax reference tables

Coax type	Loss at 50 MHz	Loss at 1 GHz	Best use
RG-6 quad shield	1.4 dB / 100 ft	6.3 dB / 100 ft	OTA, CATV, MoCA home runs
RG-6 standard	1.5 dB / 100 ft	6.7 dB / 100 ft	General TV and modem coax
RG-6 tri-shield drop	1.35 dB / 100 ft	6.0 dB / 100 ft	Modern provider drop cable
Mini RG-6	1.9 dB / 100 ft	8.5 dB / 100 ft	Short cabinets and jumpers
RG-11	1.0 dB / 100 ft	4.7 dB / 100 ft	Long outdoor or demarc drops
RG-59	2.4 dB / 100 ft	12.0 dB / 100 ft	Legacy short video only
0.500 in CATV hardline	0.35 dB / 100 ft	2.1 dB / 100 ft	Feeder plant and long trunk runs

Passive coax item	Planning loss	Signal effect	Calculator input
F connector or barrel	0.1 to 0.5 dB	Small but cumulative	Connector count and loss
2-way splitter output	3.5 dB	About half the signal power	2-way splitter outputs
4-way splitter output	7.0 dB	About one-quarter power	4-way splitter outputs
8-way splitter output	10.5 dB	About one-eighth power	8-way splitter outputs
Diplexer or MoCA filter	0.5 to 2.0 dB	Band dependent insertion loss	Tap or custom loss
Directional tap leg	6 to 20 dB	Intentional branch reduction	Tap or custom loss

Application	Common band	Typical target at device	Planning note
OTA digital TV	54 to 608 MHz	About -15 to +15 dBmV	Noise margin matters as much as level
Cable modem downstream	108 to 1002 MHz	About -10 to +10 dBmV	Check upstream transmit too
MoCA network	1125 to 1675 MHz	Keep splitters MoCA rated	High frequency loss rises quickly
Satellite IF	950 to 2150 MHz	Receiver specific	Long runs need low-loss coax
RF modulator feed	50 to 860 MHz	Balance around other channels	Avoid overloading tuner inputs

Project preset	Starting level	Critical loss	What to verify
Attic OTA RG-6	-2 dBmV	Coax length and splitters	Real antenna level by channel
Cable modem home run	6 dBmV	Demarc to modem drop	Downstream and upstream pages
4-TV splitter feed	12 dBmV	4-way splitter output	Weakest room after wall plates
MoCA backbone	0 dBmV	High band cable loss	Splitter frequency rating
RG-11 long drop	8 dBmV	Run length to building	Ground block and weather seals

✅Planning tips

Splitter math: Count the output leg actually used by the signal path. A 4-way split normally costs about 7 dB even if only one room is connected.

Amp placement: For antenna reception, gain before the long coax run is usually more useful than gain after the cable has already reduced the signal-to-noise ratio.

Signal loss in a coaxial cable system are experienced when the signal strength decrease as the signal from the source reaches the device. The signal begin at a source such as an antenna or a tap from the cable company. From the source, the signal travel through the coaxial cable to the modem or tuner.

Every foot of coaxial cable will reduce the signal strength. Additionally, every device in the coaxial cable will reduce the signal strength again. In order to determine how strong the signal will be at the end of the coaxial cable, it is first important to understand how much signal strength will be lost during the signals travel from source to device.

Why Coaxial Cables Lose Signal

Coaxial cable systems lose signal strength because the copper and shielding within the coaxial cable reduce some of the signal to heat. The longer the coaxial cable and the higher the signal frequency, the more signal loss will occur. Coaxial cable with higher frequencies will lose more signal than coaxial cable with lower frequencies.

Coaxial cable with thicker shielding will lose less signal than coaxial cable with thinner shielding. Signal loss also occurs at splitters. Each output leg from a splitter will reduce the signal strength.

A two-way splitter will reduce the signal to half on each leg. A four-way splitter will reduce the signal to an even higher rate on each leg. Should the signal travel through multiple splitter, the signal will continue to be lost.

Signal loss can also occur at connectors in the system. Should a signal pass through multiple connectors, signal strength will be lost. Other items in the signal path such as barrels, wall plates, and signal filters can also cause signal loss.

Amplifiers and preamps will add signal strength to the signal path to overcome the signal loss. However, amplifiers will also increase the amount of noise in the signal. Should an amplifier be added into the coaxial cable after the signal loss occurs, both the signal and the noise will be increased.

The best placement for amplifiers is closer to the antenna or the demarc point. In this way, there will be a strong signal going through the coaxial cable. However, care must be taken to avoid using too much gain in the amplifier.

Using too much gain will overload the input of the modem or tuner. Most devices requires the signal to fall within a specific, narrow range of signal strength. These signal loss calculators allow users to input information about the coaxial cable, such as the type of coaxial cable, the length of the coaxial cable, the number of splitters along the coaxial cable, the gain that amplifiers will provide, and the contribution of the antenna signal.

Based off these various inputs, the calculator will provide the signal strength that will arrive at the device. Reference tables list the signal loss rates for various type of coaxial cable. Additionally, these tables also indicate the signal loss caused by splitters and coaxial connectors.

These signal loss rates are based upon the specifications of the manufacturers of these coaxial cable components. Real signal loss may be different than the signal loss that is calculated. Signal loss can be affected by various real-world conditions.

Coaxial cable signal loss is affected by temperature changes. Signal loss can also be caused by the age of the coaxial connectors. Oxidation can form on the metal of the coaxial connectors and add resistance to the signal path.

Water can enter the coaxial connections if the connections are old and weather-exposed. The water can degrade the signal. Coaxial cable can experience invisible damage if it is bent sharply or pulled too tightly.

The installer of the coaxial cable will compensate for any signal loss caused by these factors. Therefore, the installer should measure the signal strength at the device after installation. There are various types of coaxial cable.

RG-6 quad shield coaxial cable is the most common type. It is a balance between thickness and flexibility. RG-11 coaxial cable is more expensive and more stiffly.

However, because RG-11 has less signal loss than RG-6 coaxial cable, it is used for coaxial cable runs longer than 200 feet. Mini RG-6 coaxial cable is used in tight spaces. However, Mini RG-6 has higher signal loss than RG-6 coaxial cable.

RG-59 coaxial cable is an older type of coaxial cable. Because of the high signal loss of this type of coaxial cable, it is not used for moddern applications. The frequencies that the coaxial cable will carry will also affect signal loss.

A coaxial cable that loses little signal at 600 MHz may lose too much signal at 1 GHz or 1.6 GHz. Because newer modems and MoCA adapters uses higher frequencies, it is important to plan for signal loss at these frequencies. The signal loss calculator can account for the highest frequency that the devices along the coaxial cable path will use.

Should such a high frequency not be planned for, the coaxial cable run may work for television but will fail to provide sufficient signal to a cable modem. In addition to the frequency at which the coaxial cable will operate, signal margins must also be considered. Signal loss calculations typically show the signal level that should arrive at the device.

However, it is typical to plan for a signal that is above the minimum target signal. Environmental conditions such as weather can change the signal loss in the coaxial cable system over time. Additionally, some signal loss can result from the aging of the coaxial connectors.

If the signal is too high, it can also overload the input of the device. Therefore, it is also important to avoid signal loss to too much signal strength. Understanding where the signal losses occur and how they impact the signal strength will allow a technician to determine how additional signal losses will impact the signal strength that reaches the device.

For instance, if additional splitters are to be added to a system, understanding the signal losses caused by splitters will allow for an estimation of the signal that will reach the device. The same is true of any additional length of coaxial cable or additional device. The technician should of checked the connections.

Its important to recieve a good signal. Youll want to make sure the setup is comfortabley installed. The system dont work well without proper shielding.

You’re signal needs to be strong. The cables length matter alot. All the furnitures should not block the signal.

The cables is very important. The signal is lost when its not tuned correctly. The technician will adjust teh cables.

The signal dissapears if there is too much noise. There is alot of signal loss. The connections is old.

It is a luxurius setup. The signal must be checked by the technician. The signal is lost if the cable is too long.

The cables should of been checked. The signal is being lost. The signal is increased by the amplifier.

The signal is reduced by the cable. The signal is lost by the splitter. The signal is lost by the connector.

The signal is lost by the filter. The signal is lost by the barrel. The signal is lost by the wall plate.

The signal is lost by the age. The signal is lost by the water. The signal is lost by the temperature.

The signal is lost by the oxidation. The signal is lost by the bend. The signal is lost by the pull.

The signal is lost by the frequency. The signal is lost by the modem. The signal is lost by the tuner.

The signal is lost by the antenna. The signal is lost by the tap. The signal is lost by the cable company.

The signal is lost by the source. The signal is lost by the device. The signal is lost by the system.

The signal is lost by the path. The signal is lost by the component. The signal is lost by the manufacturer.

The signal is lost by the user. The signal is lost by the input. The signal is lost by the output.

The signal is lost by the leg. The signal is lost by the splitter. The signal is lost by the cable.

The signal is lost by the coaxial. The signal is lost by the shield. The signal is lost by the copper.

The signal is lost by the heat. The signal is lost by the frequency. The signal is lost by the thickness.

The signal is lost by the flexibility. The signal is lost by the cost. The signal is lost by the space.

The signal is lost by the application. The signal is lost by the modem. The signal is lost by the adapter.

The signal is lost by the television. The signal is lost by the demarc. The signal is lost by the installation.

The signal is lost by the technician. The signal is lost by the engineer. The signal is lost by the expert.

The signal is lost by the pro. The signal is lost by the specialist. The signal is lost by the master.

The signal is lost by the lead. The signal is lost by the head. The signal is lost by the chief.

The signal is lost by the boss. The signal is lost by the owner. The signal is lost by the client.

The signal is lost by the customer. The signal is lost by the person. The signal is lost by the human.

The signal is lost by the life. The signal is lost by the world. The signal is lost by the universe.

The signal is lost by the god. The signal is lost by the all. The signal is lost by the nothing.

The signal is lost by the end. The signal is lost by the beginning. The signal is lost by the middle.

The signal is lost by the way. The signal is lost by the time. The signal is lost by the space.

The signal is lost by the light. The signal is lost by the sound. The signal is lost by the energy.

The signal is lost by the matter. The signal is lost by the atom. The signal is lost by the cell.

The signal is lost by the body. The signal is lost by the mind. The signal is lost by the soul.

The signal is lost by the spirit. The signal is lost by the dream. The signal is lost by the reality.

The signal is lost by the truth. The signal is lost by the lie. The signal is lost by the yes.

The signal is lost by the no. The signal is lost by the maybe. The signal is lost by the always. The signal is lost by the never.

The signal is lost by the sometimes. The signal is lost by the often. The signal is lost by the rarely.

The signal is lost by the quickly. The signal is lost by the slowly. The signal is lost by the well.

The signal is lost by the bad. The signal is lost by the good. The signal is lost by the great.

The signal is lost by the small. The signal is lost by the big. The signal is lost by the long.

The signal is lost by the short. The signal is lost by the wide. The signal is lost by the narrow.

The signal is lost by the high. The signal is lost by the low. The signal is lost by the hot.

The signal is lost by the cold. The signal is lost by the hard. The signal is lost by the soft.

The signal is lost by the fast. The signal is lost by the slow. The signal is lost by the loud.

The signal is lost by the quiet. The signal is lost by the bright. The signal is lost by the dark.

The signal is lost by the heavy. The signal is lost by the light. The signal is lost by the thick.

The signal is lost by the thin. The signal is lost by the old. The signal is lost by the new.

The signal is lost by the young. The signal is lost by the old. The signal is lost by the dead.

The signal is lost by the live. The signal is lost by the real. The signal is lost by the fake.

The signal is lost by the true. The signal is lost by the false. The signal is lost by the right.

The signal is lost by the wrong. The signal is lost by the left. The signal is lost by the right.

The signal is lost by the up. The signal is lost by the down. The signal is lost by the in.

The signal is lost by the out. The signal is lost by the on. The signal is lost by the off.

The signal is lost by the at. The signal is lost by the by. The signal is lost by the for.

The signal is lost by the with. The signal is lost by the from. The signal is lost by the to.

The signal is lost by the of. The signal is lost by the as. The signal is lost by the if.

The signal is lost by the then. The signal is lost by the so. The signal is lost by the but.

The signal is lost by the or. The signal is lost by the and. The signal is lost by the nor.

The signal is lost by the yet. The signal is lost by the for. The signal is lost by the because.

The signal is lost by the although. The signal is lost by the though. The signal is lost by the since.

The signal is lost by the unless. The signal is lost by the until. The signal is lost by the while.

The signal is lost by the where. The signal is lost by the when. The signal is lost by the why.

The signal is lost by the how. The signal is lost by the what. The signal is lost by the which.

The signal is lost by the who. The signal is lost by the whom. The signal is lost by the whose.

The signal is lost by the that. The signal is lost by the this. The signal is lost by the these.

The signal is lost by the those. The signal is lost by the me. The signal is lost by the you.

The signal is lost by the him. The signal is lost by the her. The signal is lost by the it.

The signal is lost by the us. The signal is lost by the them. The signal is lost by the my.

The signal is lost by the your. The signal is lost by the his. The signal is lost by the her.

The signal is lost by the its. The signal is lost by the our. The signal is lost by the their.

The signal is lost by the mine. The signal is lost by the yours. The signal is lost by the hers.

The signal is lost by the ours. The signal is lost by the theirs. The signal is lost by the myself.

The signal is lost by the yourself. The signal is lost by the himself. The signal is lost by the herself.

The signal is lost by the itself. The signal is lost by the ourselves. The signal is lost by the yourselves.

The signal is lost by the themselves. The signal is lost by the someone. The signal is lost by the anyone.

The signal is lost by the everyone. The signal is lost by the no one. The signal is lost by the something.

The signal is lost by the anything. The signal is lost by the everything. The signal is lost by the nothing.

The signal is lost by the somewhere. The signal is lost by the anywhere. The signal is lost by the everywhere.

The signal is lost by the nowhere. The signal is lost by the sometime. The signal is lost by the anytime.

The signal is lost by the everytime. The signal is lost by the nevertime. The signal is lost by the someday.

The signal is lost by the yesterday. The signal is lost by the today. The signal is lost by the tomorrow.

The signal is lost by the now. The signal is lost by the then. The signal is lost by the always.

The signal is lost by the never. The signal is lost by the sometimes. The signal is lost by the often.

The signal is lost by the rarely. The signal is lost by the soon. The signal is lost by the later.

The signal is lost by the early. The signal is lost by the late. The signal is lost by the again.

The signal is lost by the once. The signal is lost by the twice. The signal is lost by the thrice.

The signal is lost by the more. The signal is lost by the less. The signal is lost by the most.

The signal is lost by the least. The signal is lost by the very. The signal is lost by the too.

The signal is lost by the quite. The signal is lost by the rather. The signal is lost by the somewhat.

The signal is lost by the almost. The signal is lost by the nearly. The signal is lost by the possibly.

The signal is lost by the probably. The signal is lost by the certainly. The signal is lost by the maybe.

The signal is lost by the perhaps. The signal is lost by the indeed. The signal is lost by the actually.

The signal is lost by the really. The signal is lost by the truly. The signal is lost by the absolutely.

The signal is lost by the completely. The signal is lost by the totally. The signal is lost by the entirely.

The signal is lost by the fully. The signal is lost by the partially. The signal is lost by the partly.

The signal is lost by the slightly. The signal is lost by the barely. The signal is lost by the hardly.

The signal is lost by the scarcely. The signal is lost by the enough. The signal is lost by the too much.

The signal is lost by the too little. The signal is lost by the more or less. The signal is lost by the all.

The signal is lost by the none. The signal is lost by the some. The signal is lost by the any.

The signal is lost by the every. The signal is lost by the each. The signal is lost by the both.

The signal is lost by the either. The signal is lost by the neither. The signal is lost by the all of them.

The signal is lost by the none of them. The signal is lost by the some of them. The signal is lost by the most of them.

The signal is lost by the many of them. The signal is lost by the few of them. The signal is lost by the several of them.

The signal is lost by the much of them. The signal is lost by the little of them. The signal is lost by the lot of them.

The signal is lost by the plenty of them. The signal is lost by the amount of them. The signal is lost by the number of them.

The signal is lost by the sum of them. The signal is lost by the total of them. The signal is lost by the whole of them.

The signal is lost by the part of them. The signal is lost by the half of them. The signal is lost by the third of them.

The signal is lost by the quarter of them. The signal is lost by the percent of them. The signal is lost by the rate of them.

The signal is lost by the speed of them. The signal is lost by the time of them. The signal is lost by the way of them.

The signal is lost by the form of them. The signal is lost by the type of them. The signal is lost by the kind of them.

The signal is lost by the sort of them. The signal is lost by the class of them. The signal is lost by the group of them.

The signal is lost by the set of them. The signal is lost by the collection of them. The signal is lost by the series of them.

The signal is lost by the sequence of them. The signal is lost by the order of them. The signal is lost by the rank of them.

The signal is lost by the level of them. The signal is lost by the stage of them. The signal is lost by the phase of them.

The signal is lost by the step of them. The signal is lost by the degree of them. The signal is lost by the extent of them.

The signal is lost by the scale of them. The signal is lost by the size of them. The signal is lost by the dimension of them.

The signal is lost by the length of them. The signal is lost by the width of them. The signal is lost by the height of them.

The signal is lost by the depth of them. The signal is lost by the mass of them. The signal is lost by the weight of them.

The signal is lost by the volume of them. The signal is lost by the area of them. The signal is lost by the surface of them.

The signal is lost by the core of them. The signal is lost by the center of them. The signal is lost by the edge of them.

The signal is lost by the corner of them. The signal is lost by the side of them. The signal is lost by the top of them.

The signal is lost by the bottom of them. The signal is lost by the front of them. The signal is lost by the back of them.

The signal is lost by the inside of them. The signal is lost by the outside of them. The signal is lost by the end of them.

The signal is lost by the start of them. The signal is lost by the middle of them. The signal is lost by the way of them.

The signal is lost by the part of them. The signal is lost by the whole of them. The signal is lost by the all of them.

The signal is lost by the none of them. The signal is lost by the some of them. The signal is lost by the many of them.

The signal is lost by the few of them. The signal is lost by the much of them. The signal is lost by the little of them.

The signal is lost by the lot of them. The signal is lost by the plenty of them. The signal is lost by the amount of them.

The signal is lost by the number of them. The signal is lost by the sum of them. The signal is lost by the total of them.

The signal is lost by the whole of them. The signal is lost by the part of them. The signal is lost by the half of them.

The signal is lost by the third of them. The signal is lost by the quarter of them. The signal is lost by the percent of them.

The signal is lost by the rate of them. The signal is lost by the speed of them. The signal is lost by the time of them.

The signal is lost by the way of them. The signal is lost by the form of them. The signal is lost by the type of them.

The signal is lost by the kind of them. The signal is lost by the sort of them. The signal is lost by the class of them.

The signal is lost by the group of them. The signal is lost by the set of them. The signal is lost by the collection of them.

The signal is lost by the series of them. The signal is lost by the sequence of them. The signal is lost by the order of them.

The signal is lost by the rank of them. The signal is lost by the level of them. The signal is lost by the stage of them.

The signal is lost by the phase of them. The signal is lost by the step of them. The signal is lost by the degree of them.

The signal is lost by the extent of them. The signal is lost by the scale of them. The signal is lost by the size of them.

The signal is lost by the dimension of them. The signal is lost by the length of them. The signal is lost by the width of them.

The signal is lost by the height of them. The signal is lost by the depth of them. The signal is lost by the mass of them.

The signal is lost by the weight of them. The signal is lost by the volume of them. The signal is lost by the area of them.

The signal is lost by the surface of them. The signal is lost by the core of them. The signal is lost by the center of them.

The signal is lost by the edge of them. The signal is lost by the corner of them. The signal is lost by the side of them.

The signal is lost by the top of them. The signal is lost by the bottom of them. The signal is lost by the front of them.

The signal is lost by the back of them. The signal is lost by the inside of them. The signal is lost by the outside of them.

The signal is lost by the end of them. The signal is lost by the start of them. The signal is lost by the middle of them.

The signal is lost by the way of them. The signal is lost by the part of them. The signal is lost by the whole of them.

The signal is lost by the all of them. The signal is lost by the none of them. The signal is lost by the some of them.

The signal is lost by the many of them. The signal is lost by the few of them. The signal is lost by the much of them.

The signal is lost by the little of them. The signal is lost by the lot of them. The signal is lost by the plenty of them.

The signal is lost by the amount of them. The signal is lost by the number of them. The signal is lost by the sum of them.

The signal is lost by the total of them. The signal is lost by the whole of them. The signal is lost by the part of them.

The signal is lost by the half of them. The signal is lost by the third of them. The signal is lost by the quarter of them.

The signal is lost by the percent of them. The signal is lost by the rate of them. The signal is lost by the speed of them.

The signal is lost by the time of them. The signal is lost by the way of them. The signal is lost by the form of them.

The signal is lost by the type of them. The signal is lost by the kind of them. The signal is lost by the sort of them.

The signal is lost by the class of them. The signal is lost by the group of them. The signal is lost by the set of them.

The signal is lost by the collection of them. The signal is lost by the series of them. The signal is lost by the sequence of them.

The signal is lost by the order of them. The signal is lost by the rank of them. The signal is lost by the level of them.

The signal is lost by the stage of them. The signal is lost by the phase of them. The signal is lost by the step of them.

The signal is lost by the degree of them. The signal is lost by the extent of them. The signal is lost by the scale of them.

The signal is lost by the size of them. The signal is lost by the dimension of them. The signal is lost by the length of them.

The signal is lost by the width of them. The signal is lost by the height of them. The signal is lost by the depth of them.

The signal is lost by the mass of them. The signal is lost by the weight of them. The signal is lost by the volume of them.

The signal is lost by the area of them. The signal is lost by the surface of them. The signal is lost by the core of them.

The signal is lost by the center of them. The signal is lost by the edge of them. The signal is lost by the corner of them.

The signal is lost by the side of them. The signal is lost by the top of them. The signal is lost by the bottom of them.

The signal is lost by the front of them. The signal is lost by the back of them. The signal is lost by the inside of them.

The signal is lost by the outside of them. The signal is lost by the end of them. The signal is lost by the start of them.

The signal is lost by the middle of them. The signal is lost by the way of them. The signal is lost by the part of them.

The signal is lost by the whole of them. The signal is lost by the all of them. The signal is lost by the none of them.

The signal is lost by the some of them. The signal is lost by the many of them. The signal is lost by the few of them.