Wireless Standards Reference
Compare Wi-Fi 802.11 standards from b/g/n to Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 specifications.
| Standard | Year | Frequency | Max Speed | Range | Key Features | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
802.11b WiFi 1 | 1999 | 2.4 GHz | 11 Mbps | ~35m indoor | First widely adopted standard. DSSS modulation. Compatible with legacy devices. | WirelessStandardsReference.legacy |
802.11a WiFi 2 | 1999 | 5 GHz | 54 Mbps | ~35m indoor | OFDM modulation. Less interference than 2.4 GHz. Higher cost, limited adoption. | WirelessStandardsReference.legacy |
802.11g WiFi 3 | 2003 | 2.4 GHz | 54 Mbps | ~38m indoor | Backward compatible with 802.11b. OFDM at 2.4 GHz. Widely deployed globally. | WirelessStandardsReference.legacy |
802.11n WiFi 4 | 2009 | 2.4 / 5 GHz | 600 Mbps | ~70m indoor | MIMO technology (up to 4 streams). Channel bonding (40 MHz). Dual-band support. | WirelessStandardsReference.current |
802.11ac WiFi 5 | 2013 | 5 GHz | 3.5 Gbps | ~35m indoor | MU-MIMO (downlink). 256-QAM. Up to 8 spatial streams. Wave 2 added MU-MIMO. | WirelessStandardsReference.current |
802.11ax WiFi 6 | 2019 | 2.4 / 5 GHz | 9.6 Gbps | ~35m indoor | OFDMA for multiple users. Target Wake Time (battery saving). BSS Coloring. 1024-QAM. | WirelessStandardsReference.current |
802.11ax WiFi 6E | 2021 | 2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz | 9.6 Gbps | ~35m indoor | Extends WiFi 6 to 6 GHz band. 1200 MHz of additional spectrum. Less congestion. | WirelessStandardsReference.current |
802.11be WiFi 7 | 2024 | 2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz | 46 Gbps | ~35m indoor | Multi-Link Operation (MLO). 4096-QAM. 320 MHz channels. Ultra-low latency. | WirelessStandardsReference.latest |
First widely adopted standard. DSSS modulation. Compatible with legacy devices.
OFDM modulation. Less interference than 2.4 GHz. Higher cost, limited adoption.
Backward compatible with 802.11b. OFDM at 2.4 GHz. Widely deployed globally.
MIMO technology (up to 4 streams). Channel bonding (40 MHz). Dual-band support.
MU-MIMO (downlink). 256-QAM. Up to 8 spatial streams. Wave 2 added MU-MIMO.
OFDMA for multiple users. Target Wake Time (battery saving). BSS Coloring. 1024-QAM.
Extends WiFi 6 to 6 GHz band. 1200 MHz of additional spectrum. Less congestion.
Multi-Link Operation (MLO). 4096-QAM. 320 MHz channels. Ultra-low latency.
About this tool
The Wireless Standards Reference tool helps users understand the evolution and specifications of Wi-Fi technology, from the foundational 802.11b standard through modern Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7. Wi-Fi standards are frequently updated with improvements in speed, range, power efficiency, and frequency bands, making it essential for network administrators, IT professionals, and enthusiasts to compare specifications side-by-side. This tool presents the key technical details of each standard—including data rates, operating frequencies, range, and power consumption—in an easy-to-read comparison format.
Simply select the Wi-Fi standards you want to compare from the list, and the tool displays detailed specifications for each. Typical use cases include planning a network upgrade, choosing appropriate hardware for specific environments, understanding performance differences between standards, or resolving compatibility questions between devices. Whether you're deploying a corporate network, upgrading your home Wi-Fi, or researching the technical foundations of wireless connectivity, this reference provides the critical data you need at a glance.
This tool is particularly valuable for IT professionals evaluating network investments, system administrators managing multi-generational device deployments, and technology enthusiasts staying informed about wireless standards. The comparison focuses on publicly documented specifications and does not cover every optional or proprietary feature; for cutting-edge or vendor-specific implementations, consult manufacturer datasheets and official IEEE documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Code Implementation
import subprocess
import re
def get_wifi_info() -> dict:
"""Get current WiFi connection info (Linux)."""
try:
result = subprocess.run(['iwconfig'], capture_output=True, text=True)
output = result.stdout
info = {}
# Parse SSID
ssid = re.search(r'ESSID:"([^"]+)"', output)
if ssid:
info['ssid'] = ssid.group(1)
# Parse frequency
freq = re.search(r'Frequency:([d.]+) GHz', output)
if freq:
info['frequency_ghz'] = float(freq.group(1))
info['band'] = '2.4 GHz' if float(freq.group(1)) < 3 else '5 GHz'
# Parse bit rate
rate = re.search(r'Bit Rate=([d.]+) Mb/s', output)
if rate:
info['bit_rate_mbps'] = float(rate.group(1))
# Parse signal strength
signal = re.search(r'Signal level=(-d+) dBm', output)
if signal:
info['signal_dbm'] = int(signal.group(1))
# Convert dBm to approximate quality (0-100%)
dbm = int(signal.group(1))
info['quality_pct'] = max(0, min(100, 2 * (dbm + 100)))
return info
except Exception as e:
return {"error": str(e)}
wifi = get_wifi_info()
for key, val in wifi.items():
print(f"{key}: {val}")
# Determine WiFi standard from channel/frequency
def wifi_standard_from_freq(freq_ghz: float, max_mbps: float) -> str:
if freq_ghz >= 6:
return "Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)"
elif freq_ghz >= 5:
if max_mbps > 3500:
return "Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)"
elif max_mbps > 54:
return "Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)"
else:
return "Wi-Fi 2 (802.11a)"
else:
if max_mbps > 100:
return "Wi-Fi 4+ (802.11n)"
elif max_mbps > 11:
return "Wi-Fi 3 (802.11g)"
else:
return "Wi-Fi 1 (802.11b)"
print(wifi_standard_from_freq(5.18, 300)) # Wi-Fi 5/6Comments & Feedback
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