VSWR ↔ Return Loss ↔ Reflection Coefficient
Convert between VSWR, return loss, reflection coefficient and mismatch loss. Edit any field and the others update.
Worked example
VSWR 2 :1, Return loss RL 9.54243 dB, Reflection coeff. |Γ| 0.333333, Mismatch loss 0.511525 dB, Reflected power 11.1111 %
Formula
|Γ| = (VSWR − 1) / (VSWR + 1)
RL = −20·log₁₀|Γ|
Mismatch loss = −10·log₁₀(1 − |Γ|²)
How it works
These four ways of describing impedance mismatch all derive from the reflection coefficient |Γ|. Use them when checking antennas, cables, attenuators and LISNs, or when working out the mismatch term in a measurement-uncertainty budget.
Practical tipReference points: VSWR 1.5 → RL 13.98 dB, VSWR 2 → RL 9.54 dB, VSWR 3 → RL 6.02 dB. A larger return loss means a better match, so do not mix up the sign.
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Results and summaries are for reference. For certification and test reports use the latest official standard text and calibrated instrument data. Last updated: 2026-10-10