Depth of Field Calculator
Calculate depth of field (DOF) for your camera settings. Determine how much of your scene will be in focus based on focal length, aperture, focus distance, and circle of confusion.
Default: 0.03mm for full-frame
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your lens focal length in millimeters (found on the lens barrel).
- Enter your aperture setting (f-stop number like 2.8, 5.6, 11, etc.).
- Enter your focus distance in meters (how far away your subject is).
- Adjust the circle of confusion if using a non-full-frame sensor (default 0.03mm works for most cases).
- Review the near limit, far limit, total DOF, and hyperfocal distance results.
Depth of Field Formula
Depth of field is calculated using the hyperfocal distance and focus distance:
Near Limit = (Distance × Hyperfocal) ÷ (Hyperfocal + Distance - Focal Length)
Far Limit = (Distance × Hyperfocal) ÷ (Hyperfocal - Distance + Focal Length)
DOF = Far Limit - Near Limit
Where CoC is the circle of confusion. When focus distance equals hyperfocal distance, the far limit becomes infinity.
Full Description
Depth of field (DOF) is one of the most important creative tools in photography. It controls how much of your image appears sharp, allowing you to isolate subjects with shallow DOF (portraits) or keep entire scenes in focus with deep DOF (landscapes). Understanding and controlling DOF is essential for achieving your creative vision.
DOF depends on three main factors: focal length (longer lenses = shallower DOF), aperture (wider = shallower DOF), and focus distance (closer subjects = shallower DOF). Sensor size also affects DOF indirectly through the circle of confusion value used in calculations.
This calculator helps you predict DOF before taking a shot, allowing you to adjust settings to achieve the desired effect. The hyperfocal distance feature is particularly useful for landscape photography, where maximizing sharpness from foreground to infinity is often the goal. Use this tool to plan your shots and understand how different settings affect your final image.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is depth of field (DOF)?
Depth of field is the distance range in front of and behind the focus point that appears acceptably sharp in the final image. Shallow DOF (small range) creates background blur, while deep DOF (large range) keeps more of the scene in focus.
What is hyperfocal distance?
Hyperfocal distance is the focus distance that maximizes depth of field. When focused at hyperfocal distance, everything from half that distance to infinity will be acceptably sharp. This is useful for landscape photography.
How does aperture affect depth of field?
Wider apertures (lower f-numbers like f/1.4) create shallower DOF, while narrower apertures (higher f-numbers like f/16) create deeper DOF. This is one of the most powerful creative controls in photography.
What is circle of confusion?
Circle of confusion (CoC) is the maximum size a point of light can appear on the sensor while still being considered "in focus." It varies by sensor size: full-frame typically uses 0.03mm, while smaller sensors use proportionally smaller values.