This paper proposes a new design method of variable FIR digital filters. The method uses a multi-dimensional linearphase FIR filter as a prototype. The principle of the proposed method is based on the fact that the crosssectional characteristics of a 2-D filter along with a line vary if the intersection of this line is changed. The filter characteristics can be varied by recalculating all the filter coefficients from proposed equations, which leads to an advantage that the variable range is very wide. Another advantage is that the passband and stopband deviations are completely predetermined in the design procedures and that the passband edge can be accurately settled to a desired frequency while keeping the transition band width unchanged. First the proposed design method is explained and the effect of the transition band of 2-D filters is discussed. Then the calculation cost required in updating the filter coefficients are considered. Finally two design examples are presented and the proposed method is compared with the existing one, which shows the usefulness of our method.