A simple calculation method was presented in this study for estimating the parameters of the underdamped second-order-plus-dead-time model from the system transient. Several estimation techniques without graphic aid or computer searching were recommended on the basis of the value of the maximum overshoot. The model parameters were estimated in the range of 0 < xi < 1 using only a minimal number of data points along the step-response curve. This method was confirmed by the observed results as being both more reliable and easier to apply than currently available approaches for model parameter estimates.