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Transmissibility Calculator

Calculate vibration transmissibility, isolation percentage, and dB attenuation for single-degree-of-freedom isolation systems.

A vibration isolation system attenuates floor excitation only above √2 times its natural frequency f₀; below that crossover the payload motion is amplified, and at resonance the transmitted vibration peaks near Q = 1/(2ζ). Transmissibility for a single-degree-of-freedom viscous system is T = √[(1 + (2ζr)²) / ((1 − r²)² + (2ζr)²)], where r = f/f₀ is the frequency ratio. This calculator evaluates T at a single excitation frequency and reports isolation percentage and dB attenuation; displays the full log-log transmissibility curve across r = 0.1 to 20 with reference curves for common damping ratios; and solves the inverse problem of finding the required isolator natural frequency to achieve a specified isolation percentage at a given disturbance frequency. Inputs are natural frequency f₀, damping ratio ζ, and excitation frequency — covering pneumatic isolators (f₀ ≈ 1–2.5 Hz) through stiffer mechanical and elastomeric systems.

Inputs
Results
Transmissibility T
0.03835
Frequency ratio r = f/f₀
6.667
Region
Isolation
Isolation
96.2%
Attenuation
-28.3 dB
Reference Values
√2 crossover frequency
2.121 Hz
Peak magnification (≈ Q)
5.00
Peak T occurs at
1.485 Hz
Abridged Optics — Transmissibility Calculator v1.0Based on the single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) viscous damping model. Real isolators may exhibit multi-DOF behavior, frequency-dependent damping, and nonlinear stiffness. Results are most accurate for well-characterized pneumatic and mechanical isolators in the 1–100 Hz range.

All information, equations, and calculations have been compiled and verified to the best of our ability. For mission-critical applications, we recommend independent verification of all values. If you find an error, please let us know.