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METHOD / DETERMINISTICREADY

Whole-home Wi-Fi

Access point count estimator

Get a sensible first-pass AP count without pretending that floor area alone is precise RF simulation.

Your inputs

Calculated result

Start with 2 APs

Using approximately 90 m² per indoor AP for mixed construction, start with 2 APs and verify placement on site.

Planning range

1–3 APs

Rule-of-thumb density

90 m² / AP

This is a planning estimate, not RF simulation. Placement, interference, ceiling height, transmit power, and building materials require on-site verification.

How to use this result

  • • Concrete and masonry usually require denser AP placement than light interior walls.
  • • One AP per floor is a useful minimum starting constraint.
  • • Validate placement with an on-site survey and adjust transmit power after installation.
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How the calculation works

  1. Pick a rule-of-thumb indoor area per access point from wall construction: about 120 m² for light walls, 90 m² for mixed construction and 65 m² for concrete or masonry.
  2. Divide the indoor area by that figure and round up, with at least one access point per floor.
  3. Add one dedicated access point if garden or outdoor coverage is needed.

Worked example

A 180 m² two-floor concrete house

  • 180 m² ÷ 65 m² per AP = 2.8, rounded up to 3
  • At least one per floor: 2
  • The larger value, 3, is used

Start with 3 access points (planning range 2–4) and verify placement on site.

Common questions

Is this a Wi-Fi coverage simulation?

No. It is a conservative planning starting point. Real coverage depends on floor plan, ceiling height, materials, interference and transmit power, which only a site survey or RF model can capture.

Is one powerful access point better than two smaller ones?

Usually not. Walls and floors attenuate signal regardless of transmit power, and client devices transmit weakly, so two well-placed access points generally outperform one stronger unit.

Should access points be wired?

Wired Ethernet backhaul gives the most consistent performance. Wireless mesh backhaul works but typically reduces throughput for clients on the meshed access point.