VSWR ↔ Return Loss ↔ Reflection Coefficient

Enter any value to instantly convert between all three impedance mismatch metrics.

Mismatch Converter

VSWR Voltage Standing Wave Ratio

: 1

Return Loss larger = better match

Reflection Coefficient (|Γ|) 0 = perfect, 1 = open/short

|Γ|

Reflection Coefficient in dB

Mismatch Loss power lost due to mismatch

Transmitted Power

Formulas

VSWR → Γ

|Γ| = (VSWR − 1) / (VSWR + 1)

Γ → VSWR

VSWR = (1 + |Γ|) / (1 − |Γ|)

Γ → Return Loss

RL = −20 × log₁₀(|Γ|) [dB]

Return Loss → Γ

|Γ| = 10^(−RL / 20)

Mismatch Loss

ML = −10 × log₁₀(1 − |Γ|²) [dB]

VSWR ≥ 1 always. Perfect match = VSWR 1:1, RL = ∞ dB, |Γ| = 0.

Return Loss is positive by convention (higher = better).

Mismatch Loss is the power absorbed by the source reflected wave — different from Insertion Loss.

Quick Reference

VSWR	RL (dB)	\|Γ\|
1.0 : 1	∞	0
1.5 : 1	13.98	0.200
2.0 : 1	9.54	0.333
3.0 : 1	6.02	0.500
∞ : 1	0	1