Depth of Field Calculator
Calculate the depth of field for your camera settings and subject distance.
Camera Settings
Total Depth of Field
601 mm
271 mm in front, 330 mm behind
Focus Range
Near Focus Limit2.73 m
Far Focus Limit3.33 m
Front : Behind Ratio1:0.8
Technical Details
Hyperfocal Distance29.81 m
Circle of Confusion0.03 mm
DOF by Aperture
f/1.4298 mm
f/2427 mm
f/2.8601 mm
f/4867 mm
f/5.61.24 m
f/81.85 m
f/112.75 m
f/165.00 m
Understanding Depth of Field
Depth of field (DOF) is the distance range in a photograph where objects appear acceptably sharp. It's one of the most powerful creative tools in photography, allowing you to isolate subjects or capture scenes with front-to-back sharpness.
| Factor | Shallower DOF | Deeper DOF |
|---|---|---|
| Aperture | Wider (f/1.4, f/2) | Smaller (f/11, f/16) |
| Focal Length | Longer (85mm, 200mm) | Shorter (24mm, 35mm) |
| Subject Distance | Closer | Further away |
| Sensor Size | Larger (Full Frame) | Smaller (APS-C, MFT) |
| Background Distance | Further from subject | Closer to subject |
| Scenario | Typical DOF | Recommended Settings |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait headshot (full frame) | 5-15 cm | 85mm, f/2, 1.5m distance |
| Full body portrait | 30-100 cm | 50mm, f/2.8, 3m distance |
| Group photo (3-4 people) | 1-2 m | 35mm, f/5.6, 4m distance |
| Landscape (near-far) | 5m to infinity | 24mm, f/11, hyperfocal |
| Macro (1:1) | 1-3 mm | 100mm macro, f/8-16 |
- DOF is not a single point but a zone of acceptable sharpness
- Focus point is always sharpest; DOF extends in front and behind
- DOF extends roughly 1/3 in front and 2/3 behind the focus point
- At close distances, DOF is more evenly split (closer to 50/50)
Simplified DOF Formula
DOF ≈ 2Nc × (s²/f²)
Where:
- DOF= Total depth of field
- N= f-number (aperture)
- c= Circle of confusion diameter
- s= Subject distance
- f= Focal length
Circle of Confusion and Sharpness
The circle of confusion (CoC) defines the maximum blur spot that still appears sharp to the human eye. It's used to calculate depth of field and varies with sensor size, viewing distance, and print size.
| Sensor Format | Standard CoC | Critical CoC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medium Format (44×33mm) | 0.043mm | 0.025mm | Hasselblad, Fuji GFX |
| Full Frame (36×24mm) | 0.030mm | 0.018mm | Most common standard |
| APS-H (28×19mm) | 0.025mm | 0.015mm | Canon 1D series |
| APS-C (24×16mm) | 0.020mm | 0.012mm | Canon APS-C |
| APS-C (23×15mm) | 0.019mm | 0.011mm | Nikon/Sony/Fuji APS-C |
| Micro Four Thirds | 0.015mm | 0.009mm | Olympus, Panasonic |
| 1-inch Sensor | 0.011mm | 0.007mm | Sony RX100, Nikon 1 |
| Viewing Condition | CoC Adjustment | Practical Application |
|---|---|---|
| Standard print (8×10" at arm's length) | Standard CoC | Traditional formula values |
| Large print (20×30" up close) | Use 50% of standard | Tighter DOF requirements |
| Screen viewing (100% pixel zoom) | Use 25-50% of standard | Much tighter DOF |
| Web/social media (small images) | Standard or larger | More forgiving |
| High-resolution sensor (50+ MP) | Consider smaller CoC | Sensor outresolves standard CoC |
Standard CoC values assume viewing an 8×10" print at 25cm distance. Adjust for larger prints, closer viewing, or pixel-level sharpness requirements.
Circle of Confusion Formula
CoC = Sensor Diagonal / 1500
Where:
- CoC= Circle of confusion diameter (mm)
- Sensor Diagonal= Diagonal measurement of sensor (mm)
- 1500= Standard divisor for print viewing
Hyperfocal Distance for Maximum Sharpness
The hyperfocal distance is the focus distance that maximizes depth of field for a given aperture and focal length. When focused at the hyperfocal distance, everything from half that distance to infinity appears sharp.
| Focal Length | f/8 | f/11 | f/16 | f/22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14mm | 0.8m / 2.6ft | 0.6m / 2ft | 0.4m / 1.3ft | 0.3m / 1ft |
| 24mm | 2.4m / 8ft | 1.7m / 5.6ft | 1.2m / 4ft | 0.9m / 3ft |
| 35mm | 5.1m / 17ft | 3.7m / 12ft | 2.6m / 8.5ft | 1.9m / 6ft |
| 50mm | 10.4m / 34ft | 7.6m / 25ft | 5.2m / 17ft | 3.8m / 12.5ft |
| 85mm | 30m / 98ft | 22m / 72ft | 15m / 49ft | 11m / 36ft |
Values for full frame sensor with standard CoC of 0.030mm
| Use Case | Technique | Resulting DOF |
|---|---|---|
| Classic landscape | Focus at hyperfocal | Half hyperfocal to infinity |
| Near-far landscape | Focus on foreground subject | May need focus stacking |
| Street zone focusing | Pre-focus at 3-5m, f/8 | 2m to 10m+ sharp |
| Architecture | Focus 1/3 into scene | Front to back of building |
- At hyperfocal distance, near limit = half the hyperfocal distance
- Far limit extends to infinity
- Use apps or charts for precise hyperfocal values
- Zone focusing uses hyperfocal principles for street photography
Hyperfocal Distance
H = f² / (N × c)
Where:
- H= Hyperfocal distance
- f= Focal length
- N= f-number (aperture)
- c= Circle of confusion
Near and Far Focus Limits
Depth of field has precise near and far limits that determine what will appear sharp. These calculations help you plan compositions and determine if focus stacking is necessary.
| Focus Distance | Near Limit | Far Limit | Total DOF | Settings: 50mm f/4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1m | 0.96m | 1.04m | 8cm | Near portrait/macro |
| 2m | 1.85m | 2.18m | 33cm | Head and shoulders |
| 3m | 2.65m | 3.46m | 81cm | 3/4 portrait |
| 5m | 4.05m | 6.53m | 2.48m | Full body portrait |
| 10m | 6.93m | 17.9m | 11m | Environmental portrait |
| Hyperfocal (20.8m) | 10.4m | Infinity | Infinity | Landscape |
Full frame sensor, 50mm lens at f/4, CoC 0.030mm
| DOF Distribution | Near (%) | Far (%) | When This Applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Close focus (macro) | 50% | 50% | Very close distances |
| Standard portrait | 40% | 60% | Typical shooting distances |
| Medium distance | 33% | 67% | Group photos, landscapes |
| Near hyperfocal | 33% | 67% | Traditional 1/3 rule |
| At hyperfocal | 50% | ∞ | Maximum landscape DOF |
The common "1/3 in front, 2/3 behind" rule is a simplification. The actual distribution varies with focus distance.
Near and Far Limits
Near = sH / (H + s)
Far = sH / (H - s)
Where:
- Near= Near limit of acceptable sharpness
- Far= Far limit of acceptable sharpness
- s= Subject (focus) distance
- H= Hyperfocal distance
Sensor Size and DOF Equivalence
Different sensor sizes produce different depths of field at the same f-stop and field of view. To match the DOF of one format on another, you must adjust the aperture by the crop factor.
| Sensor Format | Crop Factor | Example Lens | FF Equivalent FOV | FF Equivalent DOF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium Format (44×33) | 0.79× | 63mm f/2.8 | 50mm f/2.2 | 50mm f/2.2 |
| Full Frame (36×24) | 1.0× | 50mm f/2.8 | 50mm f/2.8 | 50mm f/2.8 |
| APS-C Nikon/Sony (23.5×15.6) | 1.5× | 35mm f/2.8 | 52mm f/4.2 | 52mm f/4.2 |
| APS-C Canon (22.3×14.9) | 1.6× | 31mm f/2.8 | 50mm f/4.5 | 50mm f/4.5 |
| Micro Four Thirds (17.3×13) | 2.0× | 25mm f/2.8 | 50mm f/5.6 | 50mm f/5.6 |
| 1-inch (13.2×8.8) | 2.7× | 18.5mm f/2.8 | 50mm f/7.5 | 50mm f/7.5 |
| Full Frame Look | APS-C Equivalent | MFT Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 85mm f/1.4 | 56mm f/0.9 (impossible) | 42.5mm f/0.7 (impossible) |
| 50mm f/1.8 | 33mm f/1.2 | 25mm f/0.9 (rare) |
| 35mm f/2.8 | 23mm f/1.9 | 17mm f/1.4 |
| 24mm f/5.6 | 16mm f/3.7 | 12mm f/2.8 |
- Smaller sensors have deeper DOF at same f-stop and framing
- To match full frame DOF, divide f-stop by crop factor
- Extreme shallow DOF (f/1.4 full frame) may be impossible on smaller sensors
- Smaller sensors advantage: easier deep DOF for landscapes and macro
Equivalent Aperture
Equivalent f-stop = Actual f-stop × Crop Factor
Where:
- Equivalent f-stop= DOF-equivalent aperture for full frame
- Actual f-stop= Physical lens aperture
- Crop Factor= Sensor's crop factor relative to full frame
Focus Stacking for Extended DOF
Focus stacking combines multiple images focused at different distances to create a composite with greater depth of field than any single shot. It's essential for macro photography and near-far landscapes.
| Application | Shots Needed | Focus Increment | Recommended Aperture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macro 1:1 (full frame) | 10-50+ | 0.1-0.5mm | f/5.6-8 (avoid diffraction) |
| Macro 1:2 | 5-20 | 0.5-2mm | f/8-11 |
| Close-up product | 3-10 | 1-5cm | f/8-11 |
| Near-far landscape | 2-5 | Foreground, mid, far | f/8-11 |
| Architecture interior | 2-4 | Near wall to far wall | f/8 |
| Software | Strengths | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Helicon Focus | Excellent alignment, macro-optimized | Macro, products |
| Zerene Stacker | Best quality for challenging subjects | Scientific, critical work |
| Photoshop (Auto-Blend) | Included in CC, good for simple stacks | General use, landscapes |
| Lightroom + PS | Convenient workflow | Quick landscape stacks |
| Affinity Photo | One-time purchase, good quality | Budget-conscious |
- Use a tripod and consistent exposure between frames
- Overlap DOF between shots by at least 30% for seamless blending
- Use manual focus or focus rails for precise increments
- Avoid f/22+ even with stacking—diffraction still softens each frame
Focus Steps for Stacking
Steps = Total Depth / (DOF × Overlap Factor)
Where:
- Steps= Number of images needed
- Total Depth= Front-to-back distance requiring sharpness
- DOF= Depth of field of single shot
- Overlap Factor= Typically 0.5-0.7 for 50-30% overlap
Worked Examples
Portrait DOF Calculation
Problem:
Calculate the depth of field for a portrait shot with an 85mm lens at f/2.8, focusing on a subject 2 meters away, using a full frame camera (CoC = 0.030mm).
Solution Steps:
- 1Calculate hyperfocal distance: H = 85² / (2.8 × 0.030) = 7225 / 0.084 = 86,012mm ≈ 86m
- 2Calculate near limit: Near = (2000 × 86012) / (86012 + 2000) = 172,024,000 / 88012 ≈ 1954mm
- 3Calculate far limit: Far = (2000 × 86012) / (86012 - 2000) = 172,024,000 / 84012 ≈ 2048mm
- 4Total DOF = 2048 - 1954 = 94mm ≈ 9.4cm
Result:
DOF is approximately 9.4 cm, extending from 1.95m to 2.05m
Landscape Hyperfocal Focus
Problem:
You're shooting a landscape with a 24mm lens at f/11 on full frame. Where should you focus to get everything from 2 meters to infinity sharp?
Solution Steps:
- 1Calculate hyperfocal distance: H = 24² / (11 × 0.030) = 576 / 0.33 = 1745mm ≈ 1.75m
- 2Near limit when focused at hyperfocal = H/2 = 1.75m / 2 = 0.875m
- 3Since 0.875m < 2m, focusing at hyperfocal gives you 2m to infinity
- 4But we can focus closer: If near limit must be 2m, then focus distance = 2 × 2m × H / (H + 2m)
- 5Alternative: Focus at approximately 3.5-4m for safety
Result:
Focus at hyperfocal distance of 1.75m (or a bit further for margin). Everything from ~0.9m to infinity will be sharp.
Sensor Size DOF Comparison
Problem:
You achieve nice background blur with a 50mm f/1.8 lens on full frame. What aperture would you need on a Micro Four Thirds camera with a 25mm lens (equivalent FOV) to match the DOF?
Solution Steps:
- 1Micro Four Thirds crop factor = 2.0
- 225mm on MFT gives same FOV as 50mm on FF ✓
- 3DOF equivalent aperture = f/1.8 ÷ 2.0 = f/0.9
- 4f/0.9 is extremely rare/expensive (Voigtlander makes one)
- 5Practical limit on MFT: f/1.2 (Olympus 25mm f/1.2)
- 6f/1.2 on MFT ≈ f/2.4 DOF equivalent on FF
Result:
You'd need f/0.9 on MFT—practically impossible. The closest available (f/1.2) gives DOF equivalent to f/2.4 on full frame.
Tips & Best Practices
- ✓For portraits, focus on the near eye—it's the most critical element and should always be tack sharp
- ✓The 1/3 rule is a starting point: at close distances DOF is more evenly split; at far distances it extends more behind
- ✓Use hyperfocal distance apps (PhotoPills, DOF calculator) for precise landscape focusing
- ✓Smaller apertures don't always mean sharper landscapes—diffraction softens images beyond f/11-16 on most cameras
- ✓For groups, the depth of field must cover front row to back row faces—often f/5.6-8 minimum
- ✓When background separation matters more than edge sharpness, shoot wide open without hesitation
- ✓Focus stacking is essential for macro—even f/16 yields only millimeters of DOF at 1:1 magnification
Frequently Asked Questions
Human eyes have a constantly variable aperture (pupil) and autofocus that adjusts nearly instantly. Your brain composites the scene into a perception of overall sharpness. Additionally, human vision has roughly f/2-f/4 equivalent aperture in daylight but with a much smaller 'sensor' (fovea), and the brain fills in peripheral vision. Cameras capture a single moment at fixed settings, making DOF effects much more apparent, especially at wide apertures with larger sensors.
Maximize background blur by: 1) Using the widest aperture available (f/1.4 or wider), 2) Using a longer focal length (85mm+ for portraits), 3) Getting closer to your subject, 4) Increasing the distance between subject and background, 5) Using a larger sensor (full frame or medium format). The combination of 85mm f/1.4 on full frame at 2m with a distant background creates extreme blur. Longer telephoto lenses (135mm, 200mm) at f/2.8 also produce beautiful bokeh.
The one-third rule states that depth of field extends approximately 1/3 in front of the focus point and 2/3 behind it. This is a useful approximation for landscapes: focus 1/3 into the scene rather than at infinity or the foreground. However, this ratio varies with distance—at close range (macro), DOF is closer to 50/50. The rule breaks down near the hyperfocal distance where the far limit extends to infinity. For precise work, calculate actual near/far limits.
Yes and no—it depends on how you compare. At the same f-stop and subject distance, longer focal lengths have shallower DOF. But at the same f-stop and subject magnification (same framing), different focal lengths produce nearly identical DOF. The difference in perspective (wide vs telephoto compression) affects how we perceive background blur. Longer lenses also magnify background blur circles, making bokeh more prominent even when technical DOF is similar.
Use these techniques: 1) Live View with magnification (5-10×) for critical focus, 2) Focus peaking (highlights in-focus edges), 3) Review images at 100% zoom on camera LCD or computer, 4) Use focus confirmation indicators (most are too generous), 5) For portraits, always focus on the near eye, 6) Consider focus stacking for critical sharpness requirements. Modern mirrorless cameras with eye-detection AF are remarkably accurate for portraits.
Use focus stacking when: 1) Diffraction at small apertures (f/16+) would soften the image more than acceptable, 2) Depth of field required exceeds what any aperture can achieve (macro photography), 3) You need both maximum sharpness AND deep DOF (product shots), 4) Working at high magnification where DOF is measured in millimeters. For most landscapes, f/8-11 is often sufficient without stacking. Macro and near-far landscapes with foreground interest often benefit from stacking.
Sources & References
Last updated: 2026-01-22