In this paper, the influences of the hysteresis bands on the direct torque control (DTC) of an induction motor are analytically investigated, and the switching frequency of the inverter is predicted based on the analysis, The flux and torque hysteresis bands are the only gains to be adjusted in DTC, and the inverter switching frequency and the current waveform are greatly influenced by them, Therefore, the magnitude of the hysteresis band should be determined based on reasonable guidelines which can avoid excessive inverter switching frequency and current harmonics in the whole operating region. This paper predicts the inverter switching frequency according to torque and flux hysteresis bands based on induction machine parameters and control sampling period, and investigates the effect of hysteresis bands to line current harmonics. The simulated and experimental results prove the usefulness and feasibility of the proposed method.