What is depth of field?

Depth of field is the range of distances in a scene that appear acceptably sharp in a photograph. A wide aperture (low f-number like f/1.4) produces a shallow depth of field with a blurred background. A narrow aperture (high f-number like f/16) produces a deeper depth of field with more of the scene in focus.

What is hyperfocal distance?

Hyperfocal distance is the focus distance at which everything from half that distance to infinity is acceptably sharp. Focusing at the hyperfocal distance is the standard technique for landscape, architecture, and street photography where you want maximum depth of field without losing the background.

What is circle of confusion?

Circle of confusion (CoC) is the diameter of an out-of-focus point that still appears acceptably sharp to the human eye when viewed at standard print or screen size. It varies by sensor size, larger sensors have a larger CoC. The values used here are industry standards for each sensor format.

Why does sensor size affect depth of field?

Sensor size affects depth of field because a smaller sensor requires a shorter focal length to achieve the same field of view, and shorter focal lengths produce more depth of field at the same aperture. A 25mm lens on Micro Four Thirds gives the same framing as 50mm on full frame, but significantly more depth of field at the same f-number.

How do I use hyperfocal distance in the field?

Set your focus to the hyperfocal distance shown for your current focal length and aperture. Everything from half that distance to infinity will be acceptably sharp. For a 50mm lens at f/8 on full frame, hyperfocal distance is roughly 7.2 meters, set focus there and shoot without adjusting focus for landscapes.

Does aperture or focal length have a bigger effect on depth of field?

Both matter, but focal length has a squared effect in the hyperfocal formula. Doubling focal length from 50mm to 100mm at the same aperture reduces depth of field by roughly 4x. Doubling aperture (e.g., f/2.8 to f/5.6) halves depth of field. For portraits, focal length choice is usually more impactful.

Photography Depth of Field Calculator

Find hyperfocal distance, near and far focus limits, and total depth of field for your camera and lens.

Camera and lens

Sensor formatFocal length (mm)Aperture (f/)Focus distance (meters)Distance unitCircle of confusion (mm)

Auto-filled from sensor unless you edit this field.

Total depth of field

0.58 m

At this setting, focus from 2.74 m to 3.32 m is acceptably sharp.

Near limit

2.74 m

Far limit

3.32 m

Hyperfocal

30.84 m

In front of subject

0.26 m

Behind subject

0.32 m

Depth of field diagram

Acceptably sharp zones depend on print size, viewing distance, and your lens. Use this as a planning guide, not a guarantee of edge sharpness.

How this tool works

Select your sensor format (the calculator pre-fills the correct circle of confusion for that sensor), enter focal length, aperture, and focus distance, and the results update immediately.

Worked example

Camera: Full Frame. Focal length: 50mm. Aperture: f/2.8. Focus distance: 3 meters. H = (50^2 / (2.8 x 0.029)) + 50 = (2500 / 0.0812) + 50 = 30,788mm + 50 = 30,838mm = ~30.8m Near = (3 x (30.8 - 0.05)) / (30.8 + 3 - 2 x 0.05) = (3 x 30.75) / (33.75) = 92.25 / 33.75 = ~2.73m Far = (3 x 30.75) / (30.8 - 3) = 92.25 / 27.8 = ~3.32m Depth of field: 3.32 - 2.73 = 0.59 meters (59 centimeters)

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Frequently asked questions

What is depth of field?
Depth of field is the range of distances in a scene that appear acceptably sharp in a photograph. A wide aperture (low f-number like f/1.4) produces a shallow depth of field with a blurred background. A narrow aperture (high f-number like f/16) produces a deeper depth of field with more of the scene in focus.
What is hyperfocal distance?
Hyperfocal distance is the focus distance at which everything from half that distance to infinity is acceptably sharp. Focusing at the hyperfocal distance is the standard technique for landscape, architecture, and street photography where you want maximum depth of field without losing the background.
What is circle of confusion?
Circle of confusion (CoC) is the diameter of an out-of-focus point that still appears acceptably sharp to the human eye when viewed at standard print or screen size. It varies by sensor size, larger sensors have a larger CoC. The values used here are industry standards for each sensor format.
Why does sensor size affect depth of field?
Sensor size affects depth of field because a smaller sensor requires a shorter focal length to achieve the same field of view, and shorter focal lengths produce more depth of field at the same aperture. A 25mm lens on Micro Four Thirds gives the same framing as 50mm on full frame, but significantly more depth of field at the same f-number.
How do I use hyperfocal distance in the field?
Set your focus to the hyperfocal distance shown for your current focal length and aperture. Everything from half that distance to infinity will be acceptably sharp. For a 50mm lens at f/8 on full frame, hyperfocal distance is roughly 7.2 meters, set focus there and shoot without adjusting focus for landscapes.
Does aperture or focal length have a bigger effect on depth of field?
Both matter, but focal length has a squared effect in the hyperfocal formula. Doubling focal length from 50mm to 100mm at the same aperture reduces depth of field by roughly 4x. Doubling aperture (e.g., f/2.8 to f/5.6) halves depth of field. For portraits, focal length choice is usually more impactful.