If you are on a computer running Mac OS X, you can also get the RSSI without installing any additional applications: The number you are looking for is the RSSI, which means Received Signal Strength Indicator. You can use a Wi-Fi scanner application to measure the received signal strength at a specific location and time. The chances of even connecting are very low at this level. Unreliable signal strength, will not suffice for most services. The minimum for any service depending on a reliable connection and signal strength, such as voice over Wi-Fi and non-HD video streaming.

Maximum signal strength, you are probably standing right next to the access point.Īnything down to this level can be considered excellent signal strength.

So what should we consider a good, acceptable, or poor Wi-Fi signal strength? Signal Strength Wireless signal strength is measured in dBm (decibel milliwatts) and is, somewhat confusingly, expressed only as negative values. Its measurement depends on the receiving device.A quick overview of the required Wi-Fi signal strength for different online activities. There is a point at which trying to obtain more signal delivers diminishing returns, because the quality of the connection is defined by more values than just RSSI. The closer to 0 dBm, the stronger the signal. However, -70 dBm and higher values usually equate to the modem being in an excellent coverage area. The exact numbers vary between cellular carriers. The higher the number, the better the signal. This value relates to the signal strength of the cellular signal from the tower to the modem. The RSSI is indicated by a negative dBm value. In telecommunications, Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) is a measurement of the power present in a received radio signal.

Rssi signal strength