EQ Frequency Calculator
Calculate EQ center frequency, bandwidth, and Q factor for parametric equalizer settings. Octave and semitone spacing for mixing.
Specialist tool for Music Production1 documented formula2 recommended next stepsPrivate in your browser
Use this result well
A quick decision brief for this specific tool
Inputs that matter
Center Frequency, Q Factor
Output to expect
EQ Bandwidth Calculator
How it works
1 documented formula across 1 calculation mode
- Confirm that every value uses the unit and time basis shown before comparing scenarios.
- Change one input at a time to see which assumption materially changes the result.
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Sound Design
Reference & details
How it works
Updated July 2026
How it works
Updated July 2026Q Factor Definition
Q determines filter narrowness. High Q = narrow notch or peak. Low Q = broad shelving or gentle peak.
Q = Center frequency (f) ÷ Bandwidth (BW)Bandwidth from Q
Bandwidth in Hz at −3 dB points for peaking filters. Q of 2 at 1000 Hz = 500 Hz bandwidth.
BW = f ÷ QOctaves to Q
1 octave bandwidth ≈ Q 1.41. 1/3 octave ≈ Q 4.3. 2 octaves ≈ Q 0.71. Useful for translating graphic EQ to parametric.
Q ≈ 1.41 ÷ Octaves (for moderate Q)Updated: July 2026
Example Scenarios
Room resonance at 80 Hz — set parametric cut: center 80 Hz, Q 4 (20 Hz bandwidth) for surgical 6 dB cut without affecting adjacent frequencies.
Boost at 4 kHz with Q 1.5 (2.67 kHz bandwidth) — broad enough for natural presence without nasal honk.
31-band 1/3-octave graphic EQ slider at 1 kHz ≈ Q 4.3, bandwidth 233 Hz — replicate with parametric EQ settings.
FAQ
Quality factor — ratio of center frequency to bandwidth. Q=1 is moderate width. Q=10 is very narrow (surgical). Q=0.5 is very broad (gentle shelf-like peak).
Use Q 3–8 for narrow notches targeting specific room modes. Measure with RTA first, then cut exact frequency with narrow Q.
Q 0.7–2.0 for musical boosts and cuts. Broad enough to sound natural, narrow enough for targeted adjustment.
Approximately Q = 1.41 / octaves (at −3dB points). Third-octave (0.33 oct) ≈ Q 4.3. Full octave ≈ Q 1.41.
Shelving filters use slope (dB/octave) rather than Q. Peaking/bell filters use Q. High-pass/low-pass use slope in dB/octave or filter order.
About EQ Frequency Calculator
Parametric EQ settings require understanding the relationship between center frequency, Q factor, and bandwidth. Enter any two values to calculate the third, and convert between octave bandwidth, semitones, and Q for precise equalizer adjustment.