Decibel level: solve for reference intensity

Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham. Method from NIST / CODATA. Last verified 2026-06-22.

The Decibel level: solve for reference intensity computes decibel level: solve for reference intensity from the relation I0 = I / 10^(dB/10). It takes 2 inputs (intensity in W/m^2, decibels in dB) and returns the reference intensity in W/m^2. Because this is a pure mathematical or physical formula rather than a jurisdiction-specific rule, the result never changes over time: the same inputs always produce the same answer, so you can rely on it whether you are checking homework, sizing a design, or sanity-checking another tool. Enter your values in the fields below and the result updates instantly; you can also share a permalink that pre-fills the exact calculation, which is useful for teaching, reports, or collaboration. For example, with intensity = 1e-12 W/m^2, decibels = 0 dB, the reference intensity works out to 1.000000e-12 W/m^2, and the worked example further down the page shows every step so you can follow the arithmetic and reproduce it by hand. The method is the standard form documented by NIST / CODATA, and the figure above each result carries the date it was last verified. This tool is general information and is not a substitute for professional engineering, medical, financial, or scientific advice; always check critical results against the primary source and your own judgement.