Depth of Field Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the circle of confusion?

It is the largest blur spot that still looks like a sharp point at normal print or viewing size. It depends on sensor size and the magnification used when viewing the final image.

Why does the DOF change between sensor formats?

Smaller sensors are enlarged more to reach the same display size, which magnifies blur. A 25 mm lens at f/2.8 on Micro Four Thirds gives roughly the same DOF as a 50 mm at f/5.6 on full-frame because both deliver the same framing and total-light equivalence.

What happens when subject distance equals the hyperfocal distance?

The far limit moves to infinity. Everything from half the hyperfocal distance to the horizon appears acceptably sharp - the classic deep-focus technique for landscape photography.

Is the DOF exactly as calculated?

The numbers are reliable planning guides, but exact sharpness depends on your specific lens, viewing conditions, and display size. High-resolution sensors and 100% on-screen pixel peeping effectively reduce the CoC and shrink the apparent DOF.

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Estimates for informational purposes only.

Important Disclaimer: Estimates for informational purposes only.

This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results are based on assumptions and may not reflect actual outcomes. Consult qualified professionals in relevant fields before making important decisions based on these results.

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How It Works

Depth of field (DOF) is the range of distances in a scene that appear acceptably sharp in a photograph. This calculator uses the classic hyperfocal-distance model. From your sensor format it picks a circle of confusion (CoC) - the largest blur spot still perceived as sharp - then derives the hyperfocal distance H = (focal_length^2 / (f-number x CoC)) + focal_length.

With H computed, the near and far sharp limits follow: near = (H x subject_distance) / (H + subject_distance - focal_length), far = (H x subject_distance) / (H - subject_distance + focal_length). When subject distance reaches or exceeds H, the far limit becomes infinity and everything from half the hyperfocal distance to the horizon is acceptably sharp.

CoC scales with sensor size because smaller sensors are enlarged more when displayed, magnifying any blur. This calculator uses 0.030 mm for full-frame, 0.020 mm for APS-C (Nikon/Sony), 0.019 mm for Canon APS-C, 0.015 mm for Micro Four Thirds, and 0.011 mm for 1-inch sensors.

Use Cases

DOF calculations are used across many genres of photography:

Landscape: focus at the hyperfocal distance to keep foreground rocks and distant mountains both sharp

Portrait: choose a shallow DOF to isolate the subject from a distracting background

Street photography: set hyperfocal focus for candid shots without refocusing

Product photography: determine if a single exposure covers the full product depth or if focus stacking is needed

Architecture: ensure both near and far elements stay within the sharp zone at a chosen aperture

Tips

For landscapes, focus at or slightly beyond the hyperfocal distance to stretch sharpness from half that distance to infinity.

For portraits, use a long focal length (85-135 mm) wide open to shrink the DOF to just a few centimetres and isolate the subject.

Doubling subject distance roughly quadruples the DOF - backing up is the fastest way to increase depth of field without changing aperture.

Past roughly f/11-f/16 on full-frame, diffraction softens the whole image faster than DOF grows, so stopping down further is often counterproductive.

When DOF is thinner than the depth of your subject, focus stacking (blending multiple focused frames) delivers both depth and maximum resolution.

FAQ