5G networks are being deployed around the world and one of the biggest differences between 4G and 5G is the range specially when it comes to mmWave frequencies.
In this post we use the 5G range calculator to compute the distance that a 5G signal will reach. Let’s get into the details
Table of Contents
What are the frequency bands for 5G?
This table shows the frequencies that Verizon uses for 5G.
| Band | Frequency |
|---|---|
| n2 | 1900 MHz |
| n5 | 850 MHz |
| n66 | 1700/2100 MHz |
| n77 | 3.7 GHz |
| n260 | 39 GHz |
| n261 | 28 GHz |
Note that Verizon uses a number of bands for 5G – the lowest being 850 MHz and the highest is 39 GHz. The benefit of the higher frequency range is that it can support a larger bandwidth. There isn’t enough available spectrum in the lower frequency ranges to support wide band operation.
As a result faster throughput can be achieved at mmWave frequencies.
📶 ⚡ Use a 5G signal booster to improve coverage
What is the distance covered by 5G?
Let’s calculate this using the free space path loss calculator. Although it represents an ideal condition (i.e. that of free space) the range comparisons will be valid.
5G Range Calculator
At 850 MHz and a receiver sensitivity of -90 dBm, the range is 6.3 km or 3.9 miles. By comparison, at 39 GHz, the range is only 0.14 km or 0.09 miles.
Assumptions
- 0 dBi transmit and receive antenna gains
- 3 dB cable and RF loss
- +20 dBm transmit power
📊 The 3 Types of 5G and Their Ranges
| 5G Type | Frequency Band | Typical Range | Speed | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low-Band 5G | 600–900 MHz | 📡 Up to 10–20 miles | 📶 Moderate | Rural areas, wide coverage |
| Mid-Band 5G | 1–6 GHz (e.g. 2.5 GHz) | 📡 1–3 miles | ⚡ Fast | Urban/suburban, general use |
| High-Band 5G | 24–40+ GHz (mmWave) | 📡 A few hundred meters | 🚀 Very Fast | Stadiums, dense urban spots |
🟪 Low-Band 5G: Great Range, Lower Speed
- Examples: T-Mobile Band 71 (600 MHz), AT&T Band 5 (850 MHz)
- Range: Up to 20 miles in ideal conditions
- Pros: Covers large rural areas, penetrates buildings well
- Cons: Slower speeds, often similar to 4G LTE
🟦 Mid-Band 5G: Balance of Speed and Range
- Examples: T-Mobile’s n41 (2.5 GHz), Verizon C-Band (3.7 GHz)
- Range: Typically 1 to 3 miles
- Pros: Faster than LTE, good for suburban and urban zones
- Cons: Doesn’t travel as far or penetrate as well as low-band
🟥 High-Band 5G (mmWave): Lightning Fast, Short Reach
- Examples: Verizon’s n260 (39 GHz), AT&T’s n261 (28 GHz)
- Range: Often 200 to 500 feet
- Pros: Gigabit speeds, ultra-low latency
- Cons: Easily blocked by walls, trees, even rain
🧱 Factors That Affect 5G Range
- Obstacles: Buildings, glass, foliage reduce high-band effectiveness
- Weather: Rain and fog affect mmWave signals
- Antenna placement: Higher and unobstructed antennas increase reach
- Network congestion: High traffic can limit performance, regardless of signal range
📍 Real-World 5G Coverage Examples
- T-Mobile 5G Extended Range (Band 71): Covers vast rural stretches
- Verizon C-Band 5G: Now reaching 200+ million people with better building penetration
- AT&T mmWave 5G+: Targeted in airports, stadiums, and business zones
🛠️ What Can You Do to Improve 5G Signal?
- Use a 5G-compatible phone with support for all relevant bands
- Install a 5G signal booster if you’re in a low-band or mid-band area
- For mmWave: Stay close to line-of-sight with the tower
🏁 Final Thoughts
5G doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all range.
- Low-band 5G is the coverage king
- Mid-band 5G is the performance sweet spot
- High-band 5G (mmWave) is blazing fast, but short-ranged
The range or distance covered by 5G signals at mmWave frequencies is 97% lower relative to that at sub-1 GHz frequencies. At lower frequencies, the available bandwidth or throughput is much smaller.
Due to the lower signal transmission range there will have to be more mmWave 5G towers to cover the same area as a sub-6 GHz deployment.
This is the trade-off between mmWave and sub-6 GHz frequency operation of 5G networks.
