Depth of Field Calculator
Calculate DOF, hyperfocal distance, and visualize your in-focus zone.
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How to Use the Depth of Field Calculator
Depth of field is the distance range that appears acceptably sharp in front of and behind your focus point. Select your sensor format, focal length, aperture, and subject distance to calculate the near limit, far limit, total depth of field, and hyperfocal distance.
Landscape Photography
Use hyperfocal distance to balance foreground and distant sharpness when composing wide landscape scenes.
Portrait Photography
Compare apertures to see how a wide aperture reduces depth of field and isolates your subject.
Macro Photography
Enable Macro Mode to calculate the extremely shallow depth of field and effective aperture at close magnifications.
Planning a long exposure after choosing your aperture? Use the ND filter calculator to find a filter and target shutter speed for moving water, clouds, or daylight exposures.
Understanding Depth of Field and Hyperfocal Distance
Depth of field is the zone in front of and behind your focus point that still looks sharp. Four things control it: aperture (a wider aperture such as f/1.8 gives a shallower, more blurred background; a narrower aperture such as f/11 keeps more in focus), focal length (longer lenses compress depth of field), focus distance (the closer you focus, the shallower the depth of field), and sensor size (covered below).
The hyperfocal distance is a special focus distance that produces the maximum possible depth of field. Focus there and everything from half the hyperfocal distance all the way to infinity will be acceptably sharp. It is the landscape photographer's shortcut for keeping a rocky foreground and distant mountains sharp in the same frame. The calculator reports the hyperfocal distance for every combination of settings, so you can dial in your lens and read off where to focus.
Circle of Confusion by Sensor Format
"Sharp enough" is defined by the circle of confusion — the largest blur spot that still reads as a point at a normal viewing size. Smaller sensors use a smaller circle of confusion, which is why they deliver a deeper depth of field at the same framing. These are the values this calculator uses for each format:
Full-Frame vs APS-C: A Worked Example
Keep the lens, aperture, and focus distance identical and change only the sensor — 50mm, f/2.8, subject at 3 m:
With the same lens at the same distance, the APS-C body crops about 1.5× tighter, so in practice you would either step back or fit a shorter lens to match the full-frame framing — and that, in turn, changes the depth of field again. The takeaway: sensor size, framing, and focus distance all interact. Use the calculator above to model your exact camera, lens, and shot rather than relying on a rule of thumb.
Depth of Field Calculator FAQ
What is depth of field?
Depth of field (DOF) is the distance between the nearest and farthest parts of a scene that appear acceptably sharp in a photo. A shallow depth of field keeps only a thin slice in focus and blurs the rest; a deep depth of field keeps most of the scene sharp. It depends on aperture, focal length, focus distance, and sensor size.
What is hyperfocal distance?
The hyperfocal distance is the focus distance that gives the greatest possible depth of field. When you focus there, everything from half that distance to infinity looks acceptably sharp. Landscape photographers use it to keep both the foreground and distant scenery in focus.
How do I get a shallower or deeper depth of field?
For a shallower depth of field with more background blur, use a wider aperture (a smaller f-number such as f/1.8), a longer focal length, or move closer to your subject. For a deeper depth of field with more of the scene in focus, use a narrower aperture (a larger f-number such as f/11), a shorter focal length, or step back.
Does sensor size affect depth of field?
Yes. For the same framing and aperture, a smaller sensor produces a deeper depth of field and a larger sensor produces a shallower one. This is why smartphones keep almost everything in focus while medium-format cameras blur backgrounds easily. The calculator accounts for this through each format's circle of confusion.
What is the circle of confusion?
The circle of confusion is the largest blur spot that still looks sharp to the eye at a normal viewing size. It sets the standard for what counts as in focus and is smaller for smaller sensors. This calculator uses standard circle-of-confusion values for each sensor format.
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