Depth of Field (DoF) Calculator
Get near limit, far limit, total depth of field, and hyperfocal distance. Focal length, aperture, subject distance, and sensor size. Free DoF calculator for photography.
What this calculator does
This depth of field calculator gives you the near limit, far limit, total DoF, and hyperfocal distance for your settings. Enter focal length (mm), aperture (f-stop), subject distance (meters or feet), and camera sensor (presets including full frame and medium format, or custom diagonal). It uses the standard Circle of Confusion rule and shows results in the same units you chose for distance. Use it to plan portraits, landscapes, or macro so you know how much will stay sharp.
Circle of Confusion and sensor size
The Circle of Confusion is the largest blur circle that still reads as sharp. This tool uses (diagonal in mm). A full frame sensor has a larger diagonal than a crop sensor, so at the same effective focal length and f-stop you get a larger CoC and shallower depth of fieldโmore background blur. Crop sensors give more DoF at equivalent framing. If youโre chasing blur, full frame helps; if you want more of the scene sharp, crop often gives you that.
Hyperfocal distance and macro
Focus at the hyperfocal distance and everything from half that distance to infinity stays acceptably sharpโhandy for landscape and street when you donโt want to focus at infinity. At macro distances, DoF shrinks to millimetres; a single shot rarely keeps the whole subject sharp. Focus stacking (multiple shots at different focus distances merged in software) is the standard way to get a fully sharp macro image.
Depth of Field Calculator FAQ
? What is the Circle of Confusion (CoC)?
The Circle of Confusion is the largest blur circle that still looks sharp to the eye. This tool uses the common rule CoC = sensor diagonal รท 1500 (diagonal in mm). Once a pointโs blur exceeds that size on the sensor, it starts to look soft. Sensor size and viewing distance both affect what โsharp enoughโ means.
? Why does full frame have shallower depth of field than crop?
At the same effective focal length and f-stop, full frame uses a larger sensor diagonal, so the CoC is larger and the DoF math gives you less depth of fieldโmore background blur. Crop sensors give more DoF at equivalent framing, which can help for landscapes or when you want more of the scene in focus.
? What is hyperfocal distance?
Hyperfocal distance is the focus distance where everything from half that distance out to infinity appears acceptably sharp. Set your lens to the hyperfocal distance (or the closest mark on a manual lens) when you want maximum sharp range without focusing at infinityโhandy for landscape and street.
? Why is my depth of field so thin in macro?
At very close focus distances, DoF drops to millimetres. A single shot usually canโt keep the whole subject sharp. Focus stackingโseveral shots at different focus distances merged in softwareโis the usual way to get a fully sharp macro image.
? Can I use a custom sensor size?
Yes. Choose Custom in the sensor dropdown and enter your cameraโs sensor diagonal in mm. Youโll find it in the manufacturerโs spec sheet or on sites like DxOMark. The calculator then uses that for the CoC and all DoF results.