The inductor, preferably a microwave tunable inductor, includes first and second wires twisted together to define a double helix having a first end and second end with a plurality of twists therebetween. First and second terminals are at the first end of the double helix, and a connection at the second end of the double helix electrically connects the first and second wires in series. The inductance is tuned by adjusting a number of twists in the double helix, and the inductance includes a linear tuning range based upon between about 3 to 10 twist for a tuning range of about 7–12 Nanohenries. The inductor can also resonate and filter, and the double helix affords numerous advantages over conventional single helix inductors.