Depth of Field Calculator

Calculate depth of field for your camera based on sensor size, focal length, aperture, and distance. This tool processes all data locally in your browser. No information is ever sent to any server. Completely free, no registration required.

How to Use the Depth of Field Calculator

1. Enter your input values above
2. Results update automatically
3. Copy or download the output

What is a Depth of Field Calculator?

A Depth of Field Calculator determines the zone of acceptable sharpness in a photograph — the range of distances from the camera where objects appear acceptably sharp. This is a fundamental creative control in photography: shallow DOF isolates subjects with blurry backgrounds (portraits); deep DOF keeps everything sharp (landscapes). The calculator shows near/far focus limits, hyperfocal distance, and blur circle size, helping photographers plan shots before pressing the shutter.

How Does It Work?

Enter camera sensor size (full-frame, APS-C, Micro 4/3), focal length, aperture (f-stop), and focus distance. The calculator computes: Hyperfocal Distance (focus here for maximum DOF from half the distance to infinity), Near Focus Limit, Far Focus Limit, Total DOF, and acceptable circle of confusion (CoC = sensor diagonal ÷ ~1500). Results in feet and meters.

Formula

Hyperfocal Distance H = f² ÷ (N × c)\nNear Limit = (H × D) ÷ (H + (D − f)) ≈ (H × D) ÷ (H + D)\nFar Limit = (H × D) ÷ (H − (D − f)) ≈ (H × D) ÷ (H − D); if D ≥ H, Far = ∞\nTotal DOF = Near − Far\nWhere f=focal length, N=f-number, c=circle of confusion, D=focus distance\nCoC: FF=0.03mm, APS-C=0.02mm, M4/3=0.015mm

Who Uses This Tool?

• Portrait photographers calculating ideal aperture for desired background blur
• Landscape photographers finding hyperfocal distance for maximum sharpness
• Macro photographers working with extremely shallow DOF
• Cinematographers planning focus pulls and shot composition
• Photography students learning the relationship between aperture, focal length, and DOF

Pro Tips

• DOF doubles when you: (1) double the f-number (f/4→f/8), (2) halve the focal length, or (3) double the focus distance. These relationships guide creative decisions
• Hyperfocal distance trick: focus at the hyperfocal distance and everything from half that distance to infinity is acceptably sharp. Landscape photographers' secret weapon
• Sensor size affects DOF: smaller sensors have DEEPER DOF at the same field of view (why phones have everything in focus). Full-frame has shallower DOF
• For group portraits: at f/5.6, 50mm, 10ft distance on full-frame, DOF is ~4ft — enough for a 2-row group but not 3 rows. Use a DOF calculator to check

Frequently Asked Questions about Depth of Field Calculator

What does 'circle of confusion' mean?

It's the largest blur spot the human eye perceives as sharp in an 8×10 print viewed at arm's length. Smaller sensors need smaller CoC (more enlargement). Typically sensor diagonal ÷ 1500.

How do I get blurry backgrounds?

Use: (1) wide aperture (low f-number: f/1.4-f/2.8), (2) long focal length (85mm+, 135mm ideal), (3) get close to subject, (4) increase subject-background distance. Any three of these produce strong bokeh.

Free online Depth of Field Calculator — no signup, 100% client-side processing. All data stays in your browser.