Barrel Distortion Calculator
Calculate and understand barrel distortion in wide-angle lenses. Barrel distortion causes straight lines to bow outward from the image center.
Distortion Parameters
Negative values = barrel, Positive = pincushion
For reference only
Understanding Barrel Distortion
Barrel distortion makes images appear to bulge outward from the center. It's most visible on architectural shots with straight lines near edges.
Maximum Distortion
-2.50%
Moderate Barrel Distortion
CCorrection Needed
2.50%
DImage Diagonal
7211px
Distortion by Radius
25% from center-1.41px (-0.16%)
50% from center-11.27px (-0.62%)
75% from center-38.03px (-1.41%)
100% from center-90.14px (-2.50%)
Typical Distortion by Focal Length
14mm-3.5%
16mm-2.8%
20mm-2%
24mm-1.5%
28mm-1%
35mm-0.5%
50mm-0.2%
Correction Tips
- Enable lens profile correction in Lightroom/Camera Raw
- Use the Lens Corrections panel for manual adjustment
- Rectilinear lenses have less distortion than fisheyes
- Prime lenses typically have less distortion than zooms
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Editorial Note
MyCalcBuddy Editorial Team
This page is maintained as an educational calculator reference.
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Formula Source: Standard Mathematical References
by Various
🔄Last reviewed: May 2026
✓Formula checks are based on standard references and internal QA review.