Display Formats

The NanoVNA-F V3 offers 13 display formats. Each format presents the same underlying measurement data in a different way, suited to different analysis tasks.

Change the display format

1. Activate the trace you want to change.
2. Tap DISPLAY → FORMAT.
3. Select the desired format from the list.

Format reference

Magnitude and loss

Format	What it shows	When to use it
LOGMAG	Magnitude in dB (logarithmic)	Return loss, insertion loss, filter response — the most common general-purpose format
LINEAR	Magnitude as a linear ratio (0 to 1)	Comparing voltage ratios directly
SWR	Standing wave ratio (1:1 and up)	Antenna matching — quickly see how close to 50 ohm you are

Phase and delay

Format	What it shows	When to use it
PHASE	Phase angle in degrees (-180 to +180)	Phase response of filters, transmission lines
DELAY	Group delay in seconds	Evaluating signal delay through a device or cable

Impedance

Format	What it shows	When to use it
SMITH R+jX	Smith chart with resistance and reactance readout	Impedance matching, tuning networks
SMITH R+L/C	Smith chart with resistance and equivalent inductance or capacitance	Identifying reactive components at a given frequency
RESISTANCE	Real part of impedance (ohms) vs. frequency	Seeing resistive component on a Cartesian plot
REACTANCE	Imaginary part of impedance (ohms) vs. frequency	Seeing reactive component on a Cartesian plot

Complex representation

Format	What it shows	When to use it
POLAR	Magnitude and phase on a polar plot	Visualizing reflection coefficient as a vector
REAL	Real part of the complex S-parameter	Advanced analysis of in-phase component
IMAG	Imaginary part of the complex S-parameter	Advanced analysis of quadrature component

Quality

Format	What it shows	When to use it
Q FACTOR	Quality factor vs. frequency	Evaluating resonator or inductor quality

Tip

You can assign different formats to each of the four traces simultaneously. A common setup is LOGMAG on trace 0 and SMITH R+jX on trace 1, giving you both a dB plot and impedance view of the same measurement.

Caution

SMITH and POLAR formats do not support scale adjustment via DISPLAY → SCALE. Their scale is fixed to the unit circle.