Microstrip Patch Antenna Calculator

What Is a Microstrip Patch Antenna?

A microstrip patch antenna is a type of antenna widely used in:

• Wi-Fi routers (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz)
• Satellite communication
• RFID tags
• 5G and IoT devices
• Aerospace and defense systems

It consists of a flat rectangular (or circular) metal patch on a dielectric substrate with a ground plane beneath it. Because of its low profile, lightweight design, and ease of fabrication, it’s one of the most popular antenna choices today.

Why Use a Calculator?

Designing a patch antenna requires working with formulas that involve:

• Speed of light (c)
• Operating frequency (fr)
• Effective dielectric constant (εeff)
• Substrate height (h)

Without a calculator, you’d need to carefully solve multiple equations step by step. The Microstrip Patch Antenna Calculator automates this process, saving you time while minimizing errors.

Inputs You Provide

To use the calculator, you’ll need:

1. Operating Frequency (fr in GHz) – Example: 2.4 GHz for Wi-Fi.
2. Dielectric Constant (εr) – Example: 4.4 for FR-4 material.
3. Substrate Height (h in mm) – Example: 1.6 mm.

Outputs You Get

After calculation, the tool provides:

• Patch Width (W) – The horizontal size of the patch.
• Patch Length (L) – The vertical size, corrected for fringing effects.
• Ground Plane Width (Wg) – Ensures stable antenna performance.
• Ground Plane Length (Lg) – Required for proper wave propagation.

All results are shown in millimeters, ready for use in PCB design software or prototyping.

Example Calculation

Let’s assume:

• Frequency: 2.4 GHz
• Dielectric constant: 4.4 (FR-4)
• Substrate height: 1.6 mm

The calculator outputs values like:

• Patch Width (W): ~38 mm
• Patch Length (L): ~29 mm
• Ground Plane Width (Wg): ~57 mm
• Ground Plane Length (Lg): ~48 mm

These numbers can directly guide your antenna design.

Benefits of Using This Tool

Fast – No manual formula solving.
Accurate – Based on standard antenna design equations.
Beginner-Friendly – Requires only three inputs.
Practical – Outputs ready-to-use dimensions.
Free – Accessible for students, engineers, and hobbyists alike.

Important Note

This calculator provides theoretical results. In real-world applications:

• Manufacturing tolerances, connector placement, and PCB layout may slightly affect performance.
• Always verify results using electromagnetic simulation software (such as CST, HFSS, or ADS) before mass production.