Choose your camera sensor, lens focal length, aperture and focus distance to see the near and far limits of acceptable sharpness, the total depth of field and the hyperfocal distance.
mm
The real focal length on the lens, not the 35 mm equivalent
mm
Empty uses the sensor diagonal ÷ 1500: 0.029 mm
Total depth of field
1.76 m
Near limit
2.36 m
Far limit
4.12 m
Hyperfocal distance
10.88 m
0.642 m in front of the subject and 1.12 m behind it (36% in front).
Focus at the hyperfocal distance, 10.88 m, and the sharp zone runs from half that (5.44 m) to infinity.
Circle of confusion 0.029 mm. A smaller value (for big prints or pixel peeping) gives a shallower zone.
How to use the depth of field calculator
Pick your camera's sensor size, then enter the focal length printed on the lens (not the 35 mm equivalent).
Choose the aperture and type the distance to your subject in metres or feet.
Read the near and far limits and the hyperfocal distance. Leave the circle of confusion empty unless you need a stricter standard.
Worked example
Full frame, 50 mm at f/8, focused at 3 m, circle of confusion 0.0288 mm. The hyperfocal distance is 50² ÷ (8 × 0.0288) + 50 mm = 10.88 m. The near limit is 3 × (10.88 − 0.05) ÷ (10.88 + 3 − 0.1) = 2.36 m and the far limit 3 × (10.88 − 0.05) ÷ (10.88 − 3) = 4.12 m, so 1.76 m is sharp, 36% of it in front of the subject. Open up to f/1.8 and the sharp zone shrinks to 0.37 m.
Formulas
Hyperfocal distance H = f² ÷ (N × c) + f
Near limit = s × (H − f) ÷ (H + s − 2f); far limit = s × (H − f) ÷ (H − s), or infinity when s ≥ H
f = focal length, N = f-number, c = circle of confusion, s = focus distance (all in mm)
Thin-lens formulas, as in DOFMaster and standard optics texts; not for macro distances. Sensor sizes are shared with the field of view calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is depth of field?
The range of distances in front of and behind the point you focus on that looks acceptably sharp. It grows when you stop down (f/8 instead of f/1.8), step back from the subject or use a wider lens, and shrinks when you open up, move closer or zoom in. A 50 mm lens on full frame focused at 3 m is sharp from about 2.36 to 4.12 m at f/8, but only from 2.83 to 3.20 m at f/1.8.
What is the hyperfocal distance?
The focus distance that gives the most depth of field reaching to infinity. Focus there and everything from half that distance to infinity is acceptably sharp, which is why landscape photographers use it. For a 24 mm lens at f/11 on full frame the hyperfocal distance is about 1.84 m, so focusing there keeps everything from about 0.92 m to the horizon sharp.
What circle of confusion should I use?
The calculator starts from the sensor diagonal divided by 1,500: 0.029 mm on full frame and 0.019 mm on APS-C, which suits an ordinary print viewed at a normal distance. For large prints, cropping or checking at 100% on screen, enter a smaller value such as half of it; the sharp zone shrinks accordingly.
Is depth of field split evenly around the subject?
No. At normal distances about a third is in front of the subject and two thirds behind; the share behind grows as you focus further away, until at the hyperfocal distance it reaches infinity. Close up the split moves towards half and half. The calculator shows the exact split.
Does a smaller sensor give more depth of field?
At the same framing and f-number, yes: a smaller sensor needs a shorter lens for the same view, which gives more depth of field. At the same focal length, f-number and distance, a smaller sensor's stricter circle of confusion actually gives slightly less. Choose your sensor and the lens you'll actually use.
