“RMS power” on amplifiers really means average continuous power. Peak power is the highest instantaneous power on each cycle; for a pure sine wave it is exactly twice the average. Marketing “peak” or “PMPO” figures can be far larger and are not comparable.
How to use the RMS to Watts Converter
- RMS (average) power
- Waveform
- Every result field is editable: type into Peak power and RMS (average) power plus every other field update to match.
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
The average power is multiplied by the square of the waveform’s crest factor (peak voltage ÷ RMS voltage).
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| RMS (average) power | Units: W, mW, kW |
| Waveform | Choose one: Sine wave (crest factor √2), Square wave (crest factor 1), Triangle wave (crest factor √3), Music, typical (crest factor ≈ 4) |
What each result means
- Peak power = [RMS (average) power] × [Waveform]
- Crest factor = sqrt([Waveform])
Example values
How the main result changes when RMS changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| RMS (average) power (W) | Peak power (W) |
|---|---|
| 50 | 100 |
| 75 | 150 |
| 100 | 200 |
| 125 | 250 |
| 150 | 300 |
| 200 | 400 |
Formula
P_peak = P_RMS × crest factor² (sine: × 2)Worked example
Inputs — RMS (average) power: 100 W; Waveform: Sine wave (crest factor √2).
Results — Peak power = 200 W; Crest factor = 1.414.
Frequently asked questions
Is RMS power the same as continuous power?
Yes; it is the average power the amplifier can deliver continuously.
Why is peak power double the RMS power for a sine wave?
Peak voltage is √2 × RMS voltage, and power scales with voltage squared.
What formula does the RMS to Watts Converter use?
P_peak = P_RMS × crest factor² (sine: × 2).