The design of electromagnetic interference (EMI) input filters, needed for switched power converters to fulfill the regulatory standards, is typically associated with high development effort. This paper presents a guideline for a simplified differential-mode (DM) filter design. First, a procedure to estimate the required filter attenuation based on the total input rms current using only a few equations is given. Second, a volume optimization of the needed DM filter based on the previously calculated filter attenuation and volumetric component parameters is introduced. It is shown that a minimal volume can be found for a certain optimal number of filter stages. The considerations are exemplified for two single-phase power factor correction converters operated in continuous and discontinuous conduction modes, respectively. Finally, EMI measurements done with a 300-W power converter prototype prove the proposed filter design method.