UseCalcPro
Home
MathFinanceHealthConstructionAutoPetsGardenCraftsFood & BrewingTools
Blog
  1. Home
  2. Tools

Depth of Field Calculator

Find your focus range, hyperfocal distance, and near/far limits for any lens and sensor

Total Depth of Field

2.03 ft

Near Limit

9.09 ft

Far Limit

11.12 ft

mm
f/
ft

Depth of Field Results

Total Depth of Field

2.03 ft

Near Limit

9.09 ft

Far Limit

11.12 ft

In Front of Subject11.0 in
Behind Subject1.12 ft
Distribution45% front / 55% back
Hyperfocal Distance97.81 ft
Infinity in Focus?No
Circle of Confusion0.03 mm

Focus Range Visualization

0 ftSubject: 10 ft11.12 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

What is depth of field in photography?

Depth of field (DoF) is the distance range in a photo where objects appear acceptably sharp. A shallow DoF blurs the background (ideal for portraits), while a deep DoF keeps everything sharp (ideal for landscapes). Three factors control DoF: aperture (f-stop), focal length, and subject distance.

  • At 85mm f/1.4 on full-frame, DoF at 10 ft is only ~3.5 inches – ideal for isolating a portrait subject
  • At 24mm f/11 on full-frame, DoF can stretch from 4 ft to infinity for landscapes
  • Moving closer to your subject narrows DoF more than changing aperture by one stop
  • Longer focal lengths compress perspective and produce thinner DoF at the same distance
Q

What is the circle of confusion and why does sensor size matter?

The circle of confusion (CoC) is the maximum blur spot size that still looks sharp to the eye. Smaller sensors crop the image more, so they need a smaller CoC to maintain the same perceived sharpness. Full-frame sensors use 0.03mm, APS-C uses 0.019–0.02mm, and Micro Four Thirds uses 0.015mm.

  • Full-frame CoC: 0.03 mm – based on an 8×10" print viewed at 10 inches
  • APS-C (Canon 1.6× crop): CoC = 0.019 mm; APS-C (Nikon/Sony 1.5×): CoC = 0.02 mm
  • Micro Four Thirds (2× crop): CoC = 0.015 mm – deepest DoF at any given aperture
  • Smartphone sensors (~6× crop): CoC ≈ 0.005 mm, which is why phone photos look sharp everywhere
SensorCoC (mm)Crop FactorDoF vs Full-Frame
Full Frame0.0301.0×Baseline (shallowest)
APS-C0.019–0.0201.5–1.6×~1.5× deeper
Micro 4/30.0152.0×~2× deeper
Q

What is hyperfocal distance and how do I use it?

Hyperfocal distance is the closest focus distance at which everything from half that distance to infinity is acceptably sharp. By focusing at the hyperfocal distance, you maximize depth of field. Landscape photographers use this technique to keep both foreground and distant mountains in sharp focus.

  • 24mm at f/11 on full-frame: hyperfocal is ~5.8 ft – everything from 2.9 ft to infinity is sharp
  • 35mm at f/8: hyperfocal is ~16 ft – sharp from 8 ft to infinity
  • Focus on the hyperfocal distance (not infinity) to maximize front-to-back sharpness
  • Use a hyperfocal distance chart or app in the field – do not guess the focus point
  • Mark the hyperfocal distance on your lens barrel with tape for quick reference in the field
Q

How does aperture affect depth of field?

A wider aperture (lower f-number like f/1.4 or f/2.8) creates a shallower depth of field with more background blur. A narrower aperture (higher f-number like f/11 or f/16) creates a deeper depth of field with more of the scene in focus. However, apertures beyond f/16 may cause diffraction softening.

  • f/1.4 to f/2.8: portrait range – backgrounds melt into creamy bokeh
  • f/5.6 to f/8: sharpest aperture for most lenses ("sweet spot" for resolution)
  • f/11 to f/16: landscape range – deep DoF while maintaining good sharpness
  • f/22 and beyond: diffraction softening reduces overall image sharpness by 10–20%
  • Each full f-stop change (e.g., f/4 to f/5.6) roughly doubles the depth of field
ApertureDoF at 10 ft (85mm FF)Best Use
f/1.4~3.5 inPortraits, subject isolation
f/2.8~8.3 inEvents, indoor photography
f/5.6~17 inGroup photos, street photography
f/11~36 inLandscapes, architecture

Example Calculations

1Portrait at f/2.8 (85mm Full Frame)

Inputs

SensorFull Frame (CoC: 0.03mm)
Focal Length85 mm
Aperturef/2.8
Subject Distance10 ft

Result

Total Depth of Field8.3 in
Near Limit9.67 ft
Far Limit10.36 ft
Hyperfocal Distance282.3 ft
Infinity in FocusNo

H = (85²)/(2.8 × 0.03) + 85 = 86,037mm. Near = 2,947mm (9.67 ft), Far = 3,157mm (10.36 ft). DoF = 211mm (8.3 in). Shallow DoF isolates the subject with background blur.

2Landscape at f/11 (24mm Full Frame)

Inputs

SensorFull Frame (CoC: 0.03mm)
Focal Length24 mm
Aperturef/11
Subject Distance15 ft

Result

Total Depth of Field∞ (infinity)
Near Limit4.20 ft
Far Limit∞
Hyperfocal Distance5.81 ft
Infinity in FocusYes

H = (24²)/(11 × 0.03) + 24 = 1,769mm (5.81 ft). Since subject at 15 ft exceeds hyperfocal (5.81 ft), far limit extends to infinity. Everything from 4.20 ft to infinity is in focus.

Formulas Used

Hyperfocal Distance

H = (f²) / (N × c) + f

The closest focus distance where everything from H/2 to infinity is acceptably sharp.

Where:

f= Focal length in millimeters
N= F-number (aperture)
c= Circle of confusion in millimeters (depends on sensor size)

Near Focus Limit

Dn = (H × s) / (H + (s − f))

The closest distance that appears acceptably sharp at the current focus distance.

Where:

H= Hyperfocal distance
s= Subject (focus) distance
f= Focal length

Far Focus Limit

Df = (H × s) / (H − (s − f))

The farthest distance that appears sharp. Equals infinity when the subject distance equals or exceeds the hyperfocal distance.

Where:

H= Hyperfocal distance
s= Subject (focus) distance
f= Focal length

Understanding Depth of Field in Photography

Depth of field is one of the most powerful creative tools in photography. It determines how much of your scene appears sharp and how much falls into a pleasing blur. Portrait photographers often use shallow depth of field (wide apertures like f/1.4 or f/2.8) to isolate their subject, while landscape photographers use deep depth of field (narrow apertures like f/11 or f/16) to keep everything from foreground to horizon in focus.

The hyperfocal distance is a critical concept for landscape photography. When you focus at the hyperfocal distance, everything from half that distance to infinity falls within the depth of field. This calculator determines the hyperfocal distance based on your specific lens, aperture, and sensor combination, so you can maximize sharpness throughout the entire scene.

Sensor size plays a significant role in depth of field. Full-frame sensors produce shallower depth of field compared to smaller APS-C or Micro Four Thirds sensors at the same field of view, because achieving the same framing requires a longer focal length or closer distance. This is why full-frame cameras are preferred for portraits with creamy background blur.

Related Calculators

Screen Size Calculator

Calculate display PPI and dimensions

Unit Converter

Convert between measurement units

Electricity Cost Calculator

Estimate electricity usage and costs

QR Code Size Calculator \u2014 Minimum Print Size & Scan Distance

Calculate the minimum QR code print size based on scan distance, content length, and error correction level. Free online sizing tool for designers and print.

Projector Throw Distance Calculator \u2014 Screen Size & Brightness Guide

Calculate projector throw distance, screen dimensions, and ft-Lamberts brightness for any throw ratio. Compare ultra-short, short, and standard throw setups.

TV Viewing Distance Calculator \u2014 Optimal Screen Size Guide

Calculate the perfect TV viewing distance or ideal screen size for your room. Compare 720p, 1080p, 4K, and 8K setups with THX-standard angle guidelines.

Related Resources

Screen Size Calculator

Calculate display PPI, dimensions, and aspect ratio

Unit Converter

Convert between measurement units

Percentage Calculator

Calculate percentages quickly

More Utility Tools

Explore other everyday calculators and converters

View All Tools

Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026

This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.

UseCalcPro
FinanceHealthMath

© 2026 UseCalcPro