Depth of Field Calculator

Estimate photographic depth of field, hyperfocal distance and near/far focus limits from focal length, aperture, distance and circle of confusion.

Estimate depth of field

Calculate hyperfocal, near-focus and far-focus limits from focal length, aperture, focus distance and circle of confusion.

This is a geometric depth-of-field estimate, not a guarantee of perceived sharpness. Diffraction, lens performance, focus accuracy and final viewing conditions also matter.

Focal length (mm)

Aperture (f-number)

Focus distance (m)

Circle of confusion (mm)0.030 mm is a common full-frame planning value; use a value appropriate to your format and output.

Hyperfocal distance—

Near limit—

Far limit—

Total depth of field—

How the Depth of Field Calculator works

The calculator uses the standard thin-lens depth-of-field relationships. Hyperfocal distance is approximated as H = f²/(N×c) + f, where f is focal length, N is f-number and c is the chosen circle of confusion. The near and far limits are then calculated from hyperfocal distance and subject distance.

How to use this depth of field calculator

Enter the actual focal length in millimetres, the working aperture, focus distance and a circle-of-confusion value suitable for your camera format and output. The common 0.030 mm full-frame value is a planning convention, not a property of the sensor. For critical work, use a stricter value that reflects the intended print size or viewing conditions.

How to interpret the result

The near and far limits describe the region predicted to meet the selected acceptable-blur criterion. When the far limit reaches infinity, the focus distance is at or beyond the hyperfocal relationship for the current settings. Stopping down, using a shorter focal length or increasing focus distance generally increases depth of field, consistent with manufacturer guidance.

Assumptions and limitations

The model assumes a simple optical system and an agreed circle of confusion. It does not model diffraction, focus breathing, field curvature, lens aberrations, subject motion, tilt/shift movements or pixel-level sharpness. Macro distances need more advanced magnification-aware treatment, so treat very close-focus results as approximate.

Practical example and workflow

For a 50 mm lens at f/2.8 focused at 3 m with a 0.030 mm circle of confusion, the calculator shows a relatively narrow focus region. A landscape photographer can compare that with f/8 or a wider lens to see how the near limit and hyperfocal distance change before deciding where to focus.

Frequently asked questions

What circle of confusion should I use?

Use a value appropriate to the camera format and final viewing conditions. 0.030 mm is a common full-frame planning convention, but it is not universally correct.

Does a higher f-number increase depth of field?

Generally yes. A smaller physical aperture, represented by a higher f-number, increases calculated depth of field, although diffraction can reduce fine detail at very small apertures.

Why does the far limit sometimes show infinity?

The far depth-of-field limit becomes infinite when the focus-distance relationship reaches the hyperfocal condition for the chosen focal length, aperture and circle of confusion.

Is this accurate for macro photography?

Not fully. At high magnification, effective aperture and magnification-aware depth-of-field relationships become important, so use a macro-specific method for critical close-up work.