Nyquist Sampling Rate Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the nyquist sampling rate calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Nyquist Sampling Rate Calculator

Formulas Used

Minimum (Nyquist) Rate

nyquist_rate_khz = 2 * max_frequency_khz

Practical Rate (with oversampling)

practical_rate_khz = oversampling_factor * max_frequency_khz

Sample Period

sample_period_us = 1000 / (oversampling_factor * max_frequency_khz)

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
max_frequency_khzMaximum Signal Frequency(kHz)20
oversampling_factorOversampling Factor(x)2.5

How It Works

Nyquist-Shannon Sampling Theorem

Formula

f_sample >= 2 x f_max

The minimum sampling rate must be at least twice the highest signal frequency to avoid aliasing. In practice, sample at 2.5x or higher and use an anti-aliasing filter.

Worked Example

Audio signal with 20 kHz maximum frequency, 2.5x oversampling.

max_frequency_khz = 20oversampling_factor = 2.5
  1. 01Nyquist rate = 2 x 20 = 40 kHz (minimum)
  2. 02Practical rate = 2.5 x 20 = 50 kHz
  3. 03Sample period = 1000 / 50 = 20 us

Ready to run the numbers?

Open Nyquist Sampling Rate Calculator