Depth of Field Calculator
Near & far limits, hyperfocal distance, aperture comparison
Camera & Lens
Depth of field (total)
2.04 ft
9.08 ft ~ 11.1 ft
Near limit9.08 ft
Far limit11.1 ft
In front · behind-
Hyperfocal distance (focus here → half to ∞)97.8 ft
Depth of Field by Aperture
| Aperture | Near | Far | Total |
|---|
Same lens and distance, aperture only. Portraits often use f/1.4–2.8 for a shallow focus; landscapes f/8–11 for front-to-back sharpness.
Hyperfocal Distance Chart (Full Frame)
| Focal length | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 | f/16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14mm | 3.9 ft | 2.7 ft | 2.0 ft | 1.4 ft |
| 16mm | 5.1 ft | 3.6 ft | 2.6 ft | 1.8 ft |
| 20mm | 7.9 ft | 5.5 ft | 4.0 ft | 2.8 ft |
| 24mm | 11.3 ft | 8.0 ft | 5.8 ft | 4.0 ft |
| 28mm | 15.4 ft | 10.8 ft | 7.9 ft | 5.5 ft |
| 35mm | 24.0 ft | 16.9 ft | 12.3 ft | 8.5 ft |
| 50mm | 49.0 ft | 34.3 ft | 25.0 ft | 17.3 ft |
Focus at this distance and everything from half of it to infinity is acceptably sharp. Choose your sensor above for crop bodies.
Formulas & Sources
- Hyperfocal H = f² ÷ (N × c) + f · near = s(H − f) ÷ (H + s − 2f) · far = s(H − f) ÷ (H − s), infinite when s ≥ H
- Circle of confusion: full frame 0.030 mm, APS-C 0.020 mm (Canon 0.019), Micro Four Thirds 0.015 mm, 1-inch 0.011 mm, medium format 0.038 mm
- Perceived sharpness also depends on print size and viewing distance
Last reviewed: 2026-10-19
FAQ
How is depth of field calculated?
From focal length, aperture, focus distance and the sensor's circle of confusion. A 50 mm lens at f/2.8 focused at 10 ft on full frame is sharp from about 9.08 ft to 11.1 ft.
How much deeper is depth of field when I stop down?
Doubling the f-number (f/2.8 → f/5.6) roughly doubles depth of field. Past about f/16, diffraction softens the whole image.
What is hyperfocal distance?
Focus at the hyperfocal distance and everything from half that distance to infinity is sharp. For 24 mm at f/11 on full frame it is about 5.8 ft.
Do crop sensors have more depth of field?
At the same framing and f-number, yes — a crop body uses a shorter focal length, so depth of field is deeper. Switch the sensor to compare.
How do I get a blurrier background?
Open the aperture, use a longer focal length, get closer to your subject and put more distance between subject and background.