Wi-Fi calculator
How many access points do you need?
Estimate the access points and budget for your building by type, size, construction and device count, then confirm with a site survey.
The short answer
As a starting point, plan one access point per 2,500 sq ft in open offices, one per 1,500 sq ft in schools and one per 8,000 sq ft in warehouses, then add more for dense walls, metal racking or many connected devices. Installed commercial access points typically cost $800 to $2,000 each.
Calculator
Estimate your access point count
The calculator checks both coverage (square footage adjusted for building type and construction) and capacity (connected devices), and uses whichever needs more access points.
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See your access point count
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Estimated access points
A budget estimate based on Southern California projects. A site survey sets the final count and placement.
Reference
Access point density by building type
| Building type | Sq ft per access point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| K-12 school | 1,500 | 1:1 devices and block walls between classrooms |
| Healthcare | 1,800 | Dense walls, shielded rooms and many medical devices |
| Private offices | 2,000 | More walls than open offices |
| Higher education | 2,000 | Lecture halls, dorms and libraries |
| Government | 2,000 | Hardened construction and mixed uses |
| Multi-tenant office | 2,200 | Different needs in each suite |
| Open office | 2,500 | Few obstructions, predictable density |
| Hotel | 2,500 | Walls between every room |
| Retail | 3,500 | Open floors, fewer devices |
| Manufacturing | 5,000 | Machinery and metal interference |
| Warehouse | 8,000 | High ceilings, racking, scanners |
Starting points only. Final counts come from a wireless site survey.
Wi-Fi design
Coverage, capacity and what changes the count
Coverage
Enough signal in every part of the building. Works for low-density spaces like warehouses and retail.
Capacity
Enough access points for the number of devices. Schools, hospitals and busy offices usually need more APs for capacity than for coverage.
Construction
Drywall barely matters; concrete, metal racking and shielded rooms can nearly double the count.
FAQ
Wi-Fi access point questions
How many wireless access points do I need?
Start with about one access point per 2,500 sq ft for open offices, 2,000 for private offices, 1,500 for schools, 5,000 for manufacturing and 8,000 for warehouses. Add more for dense walls, metal or many connected devices. The calculator checks both coverage and capacity.
Why does building type matter?
Walls, ceilings, metal and device counts change how far Wi-Fi reaches and how many devices each access point must handle. A generic square-foot rule gets many buildings wrong.
How much does commercial Wi-Fi cost?
Typically $800 to $2,000 per access point installed, including hardware, cabling and setup. A 25,000 sq ft office with about 10 access points often runs $8,000 to $20,000. See the Wi-Fi cost guide.
Do I need a site survey?
For more than about 8 to 10 access points, or any critical environment such as healthcare, schools or warehouses, yes. An Ekahau survey sets the count and placement from your actual building.
What's the difference between coverage and capacity?
Coverage means signal everywhere. Capacity means enough bandwidth for every device. Most dense environments are limited by capacity, not coverage.
Are access points E-Rate eligible?
Yes. For schools and libraries, wireless access points, the switches that power them and the cabling are E-Rate Category 2 eligible. Cameras and access control are not.
Related
Related guides and services
Get a recommendation
Get a real access point count
An Ekahau survey turns this estimate into an installation-ready design.