Speaker Tools

Crossover Frequency Calculator

Calculate component values for passive speaker crossovers. Design high-pass and low-pass filters for multi-way speakers.

Low-Pass (Woofer)

Inductor (L):
0.42 mH
Capacitor (C):
6.63 µF

High-Pass (Tweeter)

Capacitor (C):
6.63 µF
Inductor (L):
0.42 mH
Crossover Characteristics
Slope: 12 dB/octave
Phase Shift: 180° (invert polarity)
Summed Response: Flat at crossover
Recommended For: General use

Crossover Order Comparison

Order Slope Components Phase Character
1st 6 dB/oct 1 each 90° Gentle, wide overlap
2nd 12 dB/oct 2 each 180° Common, good isolation
3rd 18 dB/oct 3 each 270° Better isolation
4th 24 dB/oct 4 each 360° Steep, excellent isolation

Crossover Frequency Calculator – Speaker Crossover Design Tool

Tool Overview & Purpose

A crossover frequency calculator for speakers is a technical tool used to design passive speaker crossovers by calculating capacitor and inductor values for high-pass and low-pass filters. These filters divide the audio signal so each speaker driver operates only within its safe and effective frequency range.

This calculator is primarily used for 2 way crossover frequency design, where a woofer handles low frequencies and a tweeter handles high frequencies. It supports accurate crossover point selection based on speaker impedance, crossover order, and filter type.

  • Driver protection
  • Frequency band separation
  • System reliability
  • Electrical filter accuracy

Who This Tool Is For

  • Passive speaker builders
  • DIY loudspeaker designers
  • Car audio system builders
  • Home audio and hi-fi enthusiasts
  • Installers working with passive crossover networks
  • Users designing woofer-tweeter crossover systems

Why Crossover Frequency Matters

What Is Crossover Frequency

Crossover frequency is the point where an audio signal is divided between speaker drivers using electrical filters. Below this point, frequencies are routed to the woofer using a low-pass filter. Above this point, frequencies are routed to the tweeter using a high-pass filter.

Why It Is Critical in Speaker Design

  • Tweeter damage from low frequencies
  • Woofer distortion at high frequencies
  • Uneven frequency response
  • Poor driver integration

Core Audio Concepts Used in This Calculator

  • Passive crossover network
  • Crossover point
  • High-pass filter for tweeter
  • Low-pass filter for woofer
  • Speaker impedance (Ohms)
  • Frequency band separation
  • Roll-off slope (dB per octave)
  • Electrical crossover vs acoustic crossover
  • Phase alignment
  • Frequency response overlap

Calculator Input Parameters

Crossover Frequency (Hz)

  • 2–3 kHz for 2 way home speakers
  • 1.5–2.5 kHz for car audio
  • Higher values for small tweeters

Speaker Impedance (Ω)

  • 4 ohm speakers
  • 8 ohm speakers

Crossover Order

  • 1st order: 6 dB/oct
  • 2nd order: 12 dB/oct

Crossover Type (2nd Order)

Butterworth filter (Q = 0.707)

How the Crossover Frequency Calculator Works

2nd Order High-Pass Filter (Tweeter)

Capacitor and inductor values are calculated using impedance and crossover frequency to block low frequencies from reaching the tweeter.

2nd Order Low-Pass Filter (Woofer)

Inductor and capacitor values are calculated to block high frequencies from reaching the woofer.

Crossover Frequency Formulas (Audio Engineering)

Capacitor Value Formula

C = 1 / (2π × f × R)

Inductor Value Formula

L = R / (2π × f)

Calculator Outputs Explained

Low-Pass Section Output

  • Inductor value (mH)
  • Capacitor value (µF)
  • Designed for woofer filtering

High-Pass Section Output

  • Capacitor value (µF)
  • Inductor value (mH)
  • Designed for tweeter protection

Step-by-Step: How to Use the Calculator

  1. Enter crossover frequency in Hz
  2. Select speaker impedance (4Ω or 8Ω)
  3. Choose crossover order (2nd order)
  4. Select Butterworth crossover type
  5. Calculate component values
  6. Build crossover using calculated components

Example: 2 Way Speaker Crossover Calculation

Crossover Frequency 3000 Hz
Speaker Impedance 8 Ω
Crossover Order 2nd Order
Filter Type Butterworth

Typical Crossover Frequency Chart

Speaker Type Recommended Crossover
Woofer → Tweeter 2–3 kHz
Subwoofer → Speaker 80–120 Hz
Midrange → Tweeter 3–5 kHz

Frequently Asked Questions

For most 2 way speakers, 2–3 kHz is common, depending on driver specifications.

Use speaker impedance and target frequency with passive crossover formulas or this calculator.

Yes, for passive car audio crossovers using 4Ω or 8Ω drivers.

It is a filter alignment that provides a flat electrical response at the crossover point.

A crossover frequency calculator computes component values for passive crossover networks that divide audio signals between woofers, midrange drivers, and tweeters.

It designs a passive crossover that splits audio between a woofer and a tweeter at a defined crossover point.

It calculates capacitor and inductor values required to build a crossover network without active electronics.

It determines component values that allow low frequencies to pass to a woofer while reducing higher frequencies.

It calculates filter components that block low frequencies from reaching a tweeter.

Speaker impedance directly affects capacitor and inductor values required to achieve a specific crossover frequency.

Lower impedance speakers require different component values than higher impedance speakers to maintain the same crossover point.

Crossover order defines how steeply frequencies are attenuated beyond the crossover point, measured in dB per octave.

It designs a crossover with a 12 dB per octave slope using both capacitors and inductors.

It refers to the transition range where both drivers contribute output near the crossover point.

Yes. Steeper slopes reduce overlap but increase phase shift, while gentler slopes allow smoother transitions.