Networking
How Many Wi-Fi Access Points Does My Office Need?
Short answer
There is no single number, but as a rough rule an office access point serves about 20 to 30 active devices and covers a few rooms or about 100 to 200 square metres in open space, less with thick walls. Plan by capacity (users and devices) and coverage (area and walls), then confirm with a site survey.
Two things to plan
- Coverage: walls, concrete and metal reduce signal; open areas stretch further.
- Capacity: many users sharing one access point slow each other down.
Rules of thumb (indicative)
| Environment | Approx. per access point |
|---|---|
| Open plan office | 100 to 200 m² and about 25 active devices |
| Private offices with walls | Roughly every 2 to 4 rooms |
| Meeting rooms, training rooms | Their own access point |
| Warehouses | Depends on racking and height; survey needed |
Estimates only. A survey with your actual layout gives the real answer.
Tips
- Mount access points on ceilings, not tucked away.
- Connect them with cable and power them with PoE.
- Count phones, laptops, printers and cameras as devices.
- Separate guest Wi-Fi from staff.
Get a plan
We design and install office networks. See networking and fixing dead spots.
Common questions
Is one powerful access point better than several?
Usually not. Several well-placed access points give better coverage and capacity.
Do I need a site survey?
It is recommended for anything more than a small office.
What is PoE?
Power over Ethernet. It delivers power and data on one cable.