Frequency transformation technique has been used for designing a six‐pole (3 × 2 pole) symmetrical triple‐band bandpass filter. Coupling matrix is obtained for filter specifications with 20‐dB return loss in the passbands, 500 MHz overall 3‐dB bandwidth, and 3‐GHz center frequency. Square split ring resonator (SRR) has been used for implementing the coupling matrix which provides miniaturization. Filter has been optimized using ADS circuit and ADS Momentum simulation for better results. Symmetrical triple‐band bandpass filter is fabricated and measured results show good agreement with ADS Momentum simulated response. Filter design using coupling matrix is less time consuming alternative when implemented using SRR as the range of coupling coefficients for particular bandwidth and center frequency can be calculated a prior and SRR aids in compact design and accurate tuning of the filter. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:1222–1225, 2015