A new control method for a single-phase active power filter, based on a load current estimation using a DC capacitor voltage of active power filter without sensing nonlinear load current, is proposed in this paper. Because the method proposed can remove the load current sensor in comparison with a conventional method sensing the load current and DC capacitor voltage together, it can make the active power filter easy installation, low cost, small size with no performance detriment. In addition, sample-hold technique and proportional control method is adopted to control the DC capacitor voltage and as no delay element such as LPF or PI control in the conventional method is used, the transient response is fast and good. Operation of a single-phase active power filter which consist of eight mode is explained according to utility voltage, compensation current and switch state, and compensation characteristics of active power filter using proposed method is verified by experiment.