Calculate depth of field

Estimate near and far acceptable-focus limits from lens, aperture, focus distance, and sensor format.

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ToolDepth of Field Calculator
Input
Output
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Preview

How it works

The thin-lens model derives circle of confusion, hyperfocal distance, and near/far limits from the supplied inputs. At or beyond hyperfocal focus, the far limit is treated as infinity.

  • Full frame is the initial sensor.
  • Depth of field is an acceptable-sharpness range, not a hard optical edge.

Worked example

50mm at f/2.8, 5 metres away
Full frame sensor, a typical portrait setup
Input
											Focal length mm: 50
Aperture: 2.8
Subject distance m: 5
Output
												Near limit m: 4.29
Far limit m: 6.00
Total depth m: 1.71
Hyperfocal distance m: 29.81
Circle of confusion mm: 0.03
Crop factor: 1

When to use this

Portrait photographers check blur, macro setups estimate narrow ranges, and landscapes choose focus near hyperfocal.

Edge cases

  • Focusing at or beyond hyperfocal sends the far limit to infinity.
  • Changing sensor format changes the circle-of-confusion assumption.
  • Diffraction can reduce detail at small apertures even as the calculated range grows.