If you’re concerned about WiFi router radiation safe distance and want to know if it can have a negative impact on your health.
Scientific studies have shown a link between WiFi radiation and health concerns like cancer, male infertility, and DNA damage.
Let’s learn more.
Experts recommend that you keep a distance of at least 40 feet from your WiFi router to minimize any risk. Keeping at these distances will have minimal impact on your health as routers produce low-energy radio frequency.
Before we discuss the harmful impacts of being too close to your WiFi router, here are a few things you should know about home WiFi router radiation.
Things to Know With Home WiFi Router Radiation Safe Distance
Research shows that WiFi routers have a negative effect on our health. They give off electromagnetic radiation, which is considered potentially dangerous by the World Health Organization.
Your exposure to WiFi radiation contributes to a long list of adverse biological effects. While it may be difficult to manage at home, it’s nothing correct router placement cannot fix.
- Your WiFi router emits low-level radio frequencies
- As long as you keep a good distance, the radiation is unlikely to cause harm
- It’s better to minimize your risk, especially if you live in a small apartment
- Distance is your friend when it comes to router safety
There you have it – everything you need to know about WiFi router radiation safe distance at home.
By maintaining a safe distance, you can be protected from harmful radio waves.
All You Need to Know: WiFi Router Radiation Safe Distance
Before we give you the available options to minimize your exposure to your WiFi router, you need to know the importance of getting your meter.
It helps identify all the sources of WiFi radiation in your home and from your neighbors so that you can avoid its harmful effects.
Below is additional information that can help keep you, your family, and your pets safe and protected from WiFi radiation.
Does My WiFi Router Produce Radiation
WiFi routers produce radiation. They emit a type called radiofrequency or RF radiation. It’s a form of radiation in most communication signals, including WiFi, Bluetooth, cell tower signals, and radio.
Whenever your router is powered up and connected to other devices, it will generate this type of radiation.
According to the FCC, they generally consider the radiation produced by WiFi routers very low.
It’s also way below established safety limits and guidelines for minimizing radiation exposure.
Here are the general guidelines to protect yourself from the radiation produced by your router:
- Maintain a safe distance of at least 6 feet from your router.
- Position your router in a well-ventilated area.
- Avoid unnecessary prolonged exposure to your router’s signal.
Does My Router Produce the Dangerous Type of Radiation
Radiation is a scary term to read whenever you’re dealing with household gadgets like your WiFi router.
Our minds start to think of nuclear reactor meltdowns like Chernobyl. The good news with WiFi routers is that it emits a different type called non-ionizing radiation.
This is basically harmless stuff, as it does not have the energy to damage your body’s cells.
The radiation from your router is similar to radio and TV signals broadcast by stations around you.
Here’s what you need to know about your router and radiation:
- Your router emits low-level radiofrequency radiation.
- A type of electromagnetic radiation like radio and TV signals.
- Very low energy levels that are way below the safety limits.
- Easily absorbed by building materials like concrete, wood, and metal.
Note: The radiation emitted by your router is considered safe and not something you should worry about.
Factors That Can Affect My Exposure
Yes, we know that the radiation produced by your WiFi router is generally safe and harmless. However, it does help to reduce and even limit your exposure.
Since it’s a low-energy radio signal, limiting your exposure is easy. Understanding these factors will help you determine if you need to lower your exposure to these devices around your home.
Here are some of the important factors that can affect your exposure:
- Power of the router
- Distance from the router
- Type of antenna used
- Frequency of the radio waves
How Far Away Should I Be From My WiFi Router
Since we know your router does not produce harmful radiation, you can consider it generally safe whether you are far or close by.
However, it does help to be not so close to it all the time.
Generally, a safe distance from your router is anywhere beyond 6 feet or 2 meters.
The strength of the radio frequency from your router decreases with distance, and getting a good 6 feet between you and the device drops your exposure levels.
Here’s the relationship between the distance from your router and exposure levels:
Distance from Router | Expected Radiation Exposure | Risk |
Within 1 foot | Highest exposure | Low risk |
3-6 feet | Significant exposure | Very low risk |
10-20 feet | Moderate exposure | Very low risk |
30-50 feet | Low exposure | Negligible risk |
Over 50 feet | Negligible exposure | Negligible risk |
Even though it says low risk, even if you’re right by your router, we recommend staying a comfortable distance to limit your exposure and further limit your risk.
A recent study in New Zealand shows that you get significant exposure with the possibility of negative effects when you’re less than 20cm, or over half a foot, from an emitting device like a router.
Note: Your sensitivity to electromagnetic radiation also matters, as some people can be affected more than others.
How Can I Minimize My Exposure with My WiFi Router
Now you realize you can’t avoid exposure to your WiFi router. Although, you can take necessary precautions so you can minimize your exposure.
This way, you can reduce the amount of radiation your body absorbs and minimize any risks that come with it.
Here’s how you can minimize your exposure to your WiFi router:
- Maintain some distance between you and your router.
- Limit the usage of your router by turning it off.
- Use a wired connection if possible.
- Optimize your router placement.
- Use a low-power router.
Note: These steps won't eliminate your risks but can greatly reduce them.
Are There Potential Risks of Being Too Close to a WiFi Router
Again, the radiation from your WiFi router is deemed safe and harmless. However, there is still a lot of discussion and debate regarding this topic.
Prolonged exposure is certainly something that you should closely look into, as it can affect your health.
As long as you take the necessary steps to minimize your exposure, there’s really nothing to worry about.
The best way is to keep a safe distance of around 6 feet, as the signals are significantly weaker.
Some potential risks of too much WiFi exposure are
- Sensitivity to electromagnetic radiation
- Fatigue and headaches
- Insomnia
- Skin and eye irritation
Note: There's nothing to worry about major health risks since your WiFi router does not produce the type of radiation that can cause those.
As long as you follow these distance guidelines, you should be fine and mitigate your exposure and risk from the electromagnetic radiation coming from your WiFi router.
If you have questions about your specific router model, contact the manufacturer to confirm its radiation levels.
Bottom Line
This is your WiFi router radiation safety guide. Follow these, and you should not have to worry about adverse effects on your health and well-being while using your WiFi router on a daily basis.
Be at least 6 feet away from your router. If you can help it, go as far as 20 feet. You can still experience excellent WiFi connectivity at this distance without the added risks.
Read Next: WiFi Router Not Working After Reset?
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.