A total variation diminishing (TVD) limiter is proposed that attempts to maximize performance given that the inherent limitation of ND formulations is peak loss. For the scalar advection and Burg er's equation, the present results are qualitatively superior to those using the harmonic and superbee limiters, balancing well the competing effects of skewing, smearing, and squaring. In the case of the Euler equations, the current results appear to significantly improve upon previous TVD results and are quite comparable with more elaborate algorithms. (C) 1997 Academic Press.