An equalizer includes a data sampler that samples input data and outputs a time-series data string according to the input data, an arithmetic circuit that multiplies a data string output before reference data in the data string output from the data sampler by a tap coefficient and forms the input data by an arithmetic operation of a multiplication result and an input signal, a tap coefficient calculation circuit that updates the tap coefficient based on a data string output before the reference data, and a determination circuit that receives the reference data and data output after the reference data in the data string and controls presence or absence of update of the tap coefficient performed by the tap coefficient calculation circuit.