How far can I connect to my Wi-Fi

From a technical point of view, the range of a WiFi computer network depends primarily on the number and type of wireless access points used to build it.

Traditional home network with router –common in almost all homes – can cover a single family homebut often no more. Corporate networks with access points can cover large office buildings.

And some cities have built wireless access points covering several square miles. The WiFi signal range of any access point also varies considerably from device to device. The factors that determine the range of an access point are:

• The specific 802.11 protocol it runs
• Your device’s transmitter power
• Nature of physical obstructions and/or radio interference in the vicinity

A general rule of thumb in home networks is that Wi-Fi routers operating on the traditional 2.4GHz band reach 150 feet indoors and 300 feet outdoors.

Older 802.11a routers that ran on The 5 GHz bands reach about a third of these distances. Newer 802.11n and 802.11ac routers operating on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands have the same range.

Physical obstructions in homes, such as brick walls and metal frames or siding, reduce Wi-Fi range by 25% or more. According to the laws of physics, 5GHz Wi-Fi connections are more susceptible to interference than 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connections.

Radio interference from microwave ovens and other equipment also negatively impacts WiFi range. Because 2.4 GHz connections are commonly used in home appliances, these Wi-Fi connection protocols are more susceptible to interference inside residential buildings.

Finally, the distance at which someone can connect to the access point depends on the orientation of the antenna. That is, we can achieve different levels of WiFi coverage by simply turning the device at different angles.