Music guide
dB to Volume Ratio: Power, Amplitude, and Perceived Loudness
Convert decibel changes into power and amplitude ratios for mixing, mastering, and understanding audio gain.
Written by James — Founder & Builder, BoringToolsKit · Published 2026 · Planning information, not professional advice.
Power and amplitude scale differently
For power, every 10 dB is a tenfold change and every 3 dB is a doubling. For amplitude, every 20 dB is a tenfold change and every 6 dB is a doubling. A +3 dB gain doubles acoustic power but is only about 1.41 times the amplitude, which is why +3 dB sounds noticeably but not dramatically louder.
What decibels mean in a mix
Gain staging uses dB to describe level changes between stages of a signal chain. Small boosts like +1 to +3 dB shape tone, while larger changes reshape dynamics. Understanding the ratio behind a dB value lets you predict how much louder or quieter a fader move actually is.
Perceived loudness is not linear
The ear hears loudness logarithmically, so equal dB steps are perceived as roughly equal increments. A +6 dB amplitude doubling feels like a solid step up, while +10 dB feels roughly twice as loud. This calculator gives the precise power and amplitude math behind those perception rules.