RC Low-Pass Filter

Calculate, visualize, and hear a low-pass filter

First-order RC low-pass filter with live calculator, Bode magnitude/phase plots, and real-time audio demo. Fully client-side, no tracking.

fc = 1 / (2πRC)

Calculator

Compute the cutoff frequency or solve for a missing component. Use SI units below for convenience.

Formula

fc = 1 / (2πRC)

At fc the output magnitude is -3 dB. The slope approaches -20 dB/dec from low to high frequencies.

  • Impedance of capacitor: |Xc| = 1 / (2πfC)
  • Transfer function: H(jω) = 1 / (1 + jωRC)
  • Magnitude: |H| = 1 / √(1 + (ωRC)²)
  • Phase: φ = −arctan(ωRC)

Bode plots

Audio demo

Hear how the low-pass filter affects a tone or noise. The cutoff is synced to your calculator values by default.

Hz

Wet/Dry mix

Tip

Try a high frequency tone (e.g., 5 kHz) and decrease the cutoff. You’ll hear highs attenuate while bass passes through.