Depth of Field Calculator
Enter your lens focal length, f-number, and subject distance to find the exact zone of your scene that will be rendered acceptably sharp — and discover the hyperfocal distance to maximise depth of field.
mm
m
Sensor format
Range of distances rendered acceptably sharp
- 1
Hyperfocal distance (m)
50² ÷ (2.8 × 0.029) ÷ 1,000 = 30.79Closest focus distance at which the far limit extends to infinity - 2
Near focus limit (m)
3 × 30.79 ÷ (30.79 + 3) = 2.73 - 3
Far focus limit (m)
3 × 30.79 ÷ (30.79 − 3) = 3.32 - 4
Depth of field (m)
3.32 − 2.73 = 0.59
How does this calculator work?
DOF = Far − Near, where Near = S·H/(H+S) and Far = S·H/(H−S), with H = f²/(N·CoC) as the hyperfocal distance. Enter focal length, f-number, focus distance, and sensor format. When focus distance ≥ H, everything from the near limit to infinity is sharp.
Formula
How this is calculated
Depth of field (DOF) is the range of distances in a scene that appear acceptably sharp in a photograph. Three physical inputs drive it: the focal length f (in mm), the aperture f-number N (e.g. f/2.8), and the subject distance S. A fourth factor is the sensor's circle of confusion (CoC) — the maximum blur circle that the human eye accepts as a sharp point at normal viewing size. Widely used values are 0.029 mm for full-frame, 0.019 mm for APS-C, and 0.015 mm for Micro Four Thirds.
The calculator first computes the hyperfocal distance H = f² / (N × CoC). When focused at H, the depth of field extends from H/2 to infinity — the maximum sharpness for that aperture and focal length. The near and far focus limits follow directly: Near = S·H / (H + S) and Far = S·H / (H − S). When S ≥ H, the far limit is infinite and everything from the near limit to the horizon is acceptably sharp.
Larger apertures (smaller f-number) produce a shallower DOF and stronger background blur (bokeh). Longer focal lengths also reduce DOF at a fixed subject distance. The CoC values used here are widely accepted photographic standards; they may differ slightly from values used by camera manufacturers.
Frequently asked questions
The hyperfocal distance H = f²/(N·CoC) is the closest focus point at which the far limit of the depth of field extends to infinity. Focused at H, everything from H/2 to infinity is acceptably sharp — the maximum possible DOF for that focal length and aperture.
Yes, through the circle of confusion. A smaller sensor uses a smaller CoC, which reduces the hyperfocal distance and makes the calculated DOF deeper at the same physical aperture and framing. This is why smartphones — with tiny sensors — produce images that appear uniformly sharp throughout the scene.
When you focus at or beyond the hyperfocal distance, the far-limit formula S·H/(H−S) becomes undefined (division by zero at S=H) or negative, meaning everything from the near limit onward is acceptably sharp. Reduce the focus distance, open the aperture, or use a shorter focal length to restore a finite far limit.
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. (2026). Depth of Field Calculator [Online calculator]. TG we-Calculate. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/depth-of-field-calculator
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. "Depth of Field Calculator." TG we-Calculate. 2026. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/depth-of-field-calculator.
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team, "Depth of Field Calculator," TG we-Calculate, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://we-calculate.com/calculator/depth-of-field-calculator
@misc{wecalculate_depth_of_field_calculator, title = {Depth of Field Calculator}, author = {{TG we-Calculate Editorial Team}}, howpublished = {\url{https://we-calculate.com/calculator/depth-of-field-calculator}}, year = {2026}, note = {TG we-Calculate} }
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