Simple Calculator Tools

Depth of Field Calculator

Find exactly how much of your scene will be in acceptably sharp focus, from the near limit to the far limit.

Depth of field settings

Enter your lens, aperture, distance and sensor size.

Total depth of field—Enter your settings above.
Near limit—
Far limit—
Hyperfocal distance—
Quick insight

Depth of Field Calculator

Enter your focal length, aperture and distance to see your depth of field.

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Let’s understand your Depth of Field Calculator result.

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Your personalized explanation

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What Is a Depth of Field Calculator?

Depth of field is the zone in front of and behind your focus point that appears acceptably sharp. This calculator uses your focal length, aperture, focus distance and sensor size to find the near limit, far limit and hyperfocal distance — the same math built into professional DOF charts and apps.

Understanding depth of field helps you decide how much of a scene to keep in focus, whether you're isolating a portrait subject with a blurred background or keeping an entire landscape sharp.

How to Read Your Results

Near Limit & Far Limit

These mark the closest and farthest points from the camera that will appear sharp. Everything between them is your usable depth of field.

Hyperfocal Distance

Focus at the hyperfocal distance and everything from half that distance out to infinity will be acceptably sharp — a common technique for landscape photography.

Sensor Size

Smaller sensors use a smaller circle of confusion, which changes the depth of field for the same focal length and aperture. Pick the option closest to your camera.

Real-World Example

A 50mm lens at f/2.8, focused 10 feet away on a full-frame camera, produces a fairly shallow depth of field — good for separating a subject from the background.

ApertureNear LimitFar LimitTotal DOF
f/2.8≈9.1 ft≈11.1 ft≈2.0 ft
f/8≈7.6 ft≈14.6 ft≈7.0 ft
f/16≈6.1 ft≈35.8 ft≈29.7 ft

Narrowing the aperture from f/2.8 to f/16 dramatically deepens the zone of sharp focus — useful for landscapes, but it also lets in far less light, so shutter speed or ISO usually needs to increase to compensate.

Tips for Using Depth of Field

  • Wider apertures (lower f-numbers) create shallower depth of field — good for portraits.
  • Narrower apertures (higher f-numbers) create deeper depth of field — good for landscapes and group shots.
  • Getting closer to your subject shrinks depth of field even at the same aperture.
  • Longer focal lengths also produce shallower depth of field than wide-angle lenses at the same aperture and distance.

Related Calculators

Exposure Triangle Calculator

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Note: Results are estimates based on standard circle-of-confusion assumptions and may differ slightly from your camera manufacturer's own depth of field charts.

Last updated: August 2026 · Reviewed by: Simple Calculator Tools Editorial Team