Electronics

Biquad Filter Cheat Sheet

Biquad coefficients for common filter types — low-pass, high-pass, peaking EQ, shelf.

Form

Direct-form transferH(z) = (b₀ + b₁ z⁻¹ + b₂ z⁻²) / (1 + a₁ z⁻¹ + a₂ z⁻²)
Difference equationy[n] = b₀x[n] + b₁x[n−1] + b₂x[n−2] − a₁y[n−1] − a₂y[n−2]
ω₀= 2π · f₀ / fs
α= sin(ω₀) / (2 · Q)

Low-pass (RBJ biquad)

b₀= (1 − cos ω₀) / 2
b₁= 1 − cos ω₀
b₂= (1 − cos ω₀) / 2
a₀= 1 + α
a₁= −2 · cos ω₀
a₂= 1 − α

High-pass

b₀= (1 + cos ω₀) / 2
b₁= −(1 + cos ω₀)
b₂= (1 + cos ω₀) / 2
a₀/a₁/a₂Same as LP

Peaking EQ (gain A)

A= 10^(dB_gain / 40)
b₀= 1 + α · A
b₁= −2 · cos ω₀
b₂= 1 − α · A
a₀= 1 + α / A
a₁= −2 · cos ω₀
a₂= 1 − α / A

Normalization

  • Divide all coefficients by a₀ so the leading denominator coefficient is 1.
  • Q typically 0.707 for maximally flat (Butterworth Q).
  • Higher Q → sharper peak; lower Q → gentler.

Notes

  • Reference: Robert Bristow-Johnson's "Cookbook formulae for audio EQ biquad filter coefficients".
  • Cascade biquads for higher-order filters (two biquads = 4th order).
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