The signal map turns every visible access point into a curve. Position shows channel use. Height shows received signal strength at your Mac. Width reflects the channel footprint.
Curve position
The horizontal axis is the Wi-Fi channel. Curves close together use nearby or overlapping spectrum. On 2.4 GHz, overlapping channels are especially important because most channel centers are not independent.
The 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands provide more channel space, but wide channels can still cover several channel blocks.
Curve height
RSSI is measured in dBm and normally appears as a negative number. A value closer to zero is stronger.
| Approximate RSSI | Practical interpretation |
|---|---|
-30 to -50 dBm | Very strong signal |
-51 to -67 dBm | Strong to usable for most work |
-68 to -75 dBm | Marginal for demanding traffic |
Below -75 dBm | Weak or unstable in many environments |
These ranges are a starting point, not a guarantee. Noise, interference, client hardware, channel width, and access point load all affect performance.
Overlap and competition
A tall neighboring curve on the same channel deserves attention because the competing access point is strongly received at your Mac. A very weak overlapping network may have less impact than its curve count suggests.
Use the map to identify patterns, then inspect the selected networks for channel width, security, and PHY details.
Band filters
Use the band control to isolate 2.4, 5, or 6 GHz. Filtering does not rescan or discard results; it changes the current view so dense environments are easier to compare.