How does Wi-Fi actually transmit data through the air?

Wi-Fi transmits data by encoding information onto radio waves, typically at 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequencies. Your router converts digital data into radio signals using a technique called OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing), which splits the signal across multiple overlapping subcarriers simultaneously. This makes transmission more efficient and resistant to interference. The data is encoded by varying properties of the radio wave, such as its phase or amplitude, a process called modulation. Your device's wireless adapter receives these waves, decodes the modulation patterns back into digital data, and sends acknowledgment signals to confirm receipt. The router and device constantly negotiate signal strength, channel width, and modulation complexity to maximize speed based on conditions.