Bel (B)
The bel (B) is the base logarithmic unit named for Alexander Graham Bell — rarely used directly; decibels are standard.
Bels appear in formal acoustics texts; most practical work uses decibels instead.
Bel to Decibel
Convert bel to decibel instantly. Type in either field — results update live.
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sound Bel Decibel
1 bel = 10 decibels
Unit
Unit
Conversion table
Selected B values converted to dB using the exact factor from this tool.
| B | dB |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 0.1 |
| 0.1 | 1 |
| 1 | 10 |
| 2 | 20 |
| 3 | 30 |
| 5 | 50 |
| 10 | 100 |
| 20 | 200 |
| 50 | 500 |
| 100 | 1,000 |
| 1,000 | 10,000 |
How to convert
Exact conversion factors in both directions, plus a worked example.
1 B = 10 dB
1 dB = 0.1 B
To convert bel to decibel, multiply by 10.
To convert decibel to bel, multiply by 0.1.
Example: convert 10 B to dB
10 × 10 = 100 dB
About these units
Short background on the units used in this conversion.
Decibel (dB)
The decibel (dB) equals 0.1 bel — one tenth of a bel, the most common logarithmic level unit.
Decibels rate sound pressure level, audio gain, and signal-to-noise ratios — the priority search term for sound conversions.
Frequently asked questions
How many decibels are in one bel?
One bel equals 10 decibels. Multiply your bels value by 10 to convert to decibels.
What is the conversion formula?
dB = B × 10The reverse is
B = dB × 0.1, using the same exact factors as this converter.Is this Bel to Decibel converter private?
Yes. All calculations run locally in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to a server.