A power factor correction circuit includes a rectifier that rectifies AC power supply voltage, a series circuit of an inductor and a semiconductor switch connected between the rectifier circuit output terminals, and a series circuit of a diode and a smoothing capacitor connected to both ends of the semiconductor switch, a load connected to both ends of the smoothing capacitor, so that the power factor on the input side of the rectifier circuit is corrected by the switching operation of the semiconductor switch. This power factor correction circuit includes a control circuit that controls the switching frequency of the semiconductor switch such that the switching frequency becomes maximum when the ripple of a current flowing through the inductor becomes maximum. According to this power factor correction circuit, normal mode noise can be reduced, and the size of a filter circuit can be decreased.