Rule of thumb · Control SystemsNº 46 / 96

Sample at least twice the fastest signal

To capture a signal faithfully, sample above 2× its highest frequency — in practice 5–10×.

Why it works

The Nyquist–Shannon limit is a hard floor, not a target: real systems need margin for filters, noise and phase.

Do it exactly

Estimate with the rule, then check it against the calculator that models it properly.

Open Sampling & Aliasing →

More in Control Systems

← Previous50/30/20 as a first budget Next →Aliases fold around half the sample rate

Browse all 96 rules of thumb →