This study evaluated the basic characteristics of a do-it-yourself dosimeter (DIYD) and its applicability in general radiography systems. An ionization chamber (IC), solid-state detector (SSD), and DIYD were placed 100 cm from the X-ray focus. Incident air kerma (\(_^\), \(_^\), \(_^\)) and the rate (\(}_^\), \(}_^\), \(}_^\)) were measured as functions of exposure time, tube current, tube voltage, and dosimeter angles to assess \(_^\) and \(}_^\) linearity, exposure time accuracy, energy dependence, and angular dependence. The \(_^/_^\) and \(}_^/}_^\) were 1.00–1.05 and 0.95–1.04. DIYD showed energy dependence peaking at 36 keV (ratio: 1.01–1.11). Exposure time by DIYD agreed with IC and SSD for ≥ 40 ms. DIYD showed superior angular dependence compared with SSD. DIYD showed characteristics comparable to IC and SSD, indicating its potential for periodic quality control and optimization of patient exposure in general radiography systems.