Hyperfocal Distance Calculator
Calculate the hyperfocal distance and near focus limit from focal length, aperture, and sensor size to maximize depth of field. Runs in your browser.
Hyperfocal distance H = focal² ÷ (f-number × circle of confusion) + focal length. Focus your lens at H and everything from H/2 to infinity is acceptably sharp — the trick landscape photographers use to maximize depth of field. Smaller apertures (higher f-numbers), wider lenses, and smaller sensors all shorten the hyperfocal distance. The circle of confusion sets the sharpness criterion and depends on sensor size and viewing conditions. Everything runs in your browser.
About this tool
Hyperfocal distance is a focusing technique landscape and street photographers use to get the greatest possible depth of field from a given lens and aperture. It is defined as the closest distance at which a lens can be focused while keeping objects at infinity acceptably sharp — and the powerful consequence is that when you focus exactly at the hyperfocal distance, everything from half that distance all the way to infinity falls within acceptable sharpness. Focus any farther (or at infinity) and you waste near depth of field; focus closer and the far background goes soft. The formula is H = focal length² ÷ (f-number × circle of confusion) + focal length, with all lengths in millimeters. Three inputs drive it: a longer focal length pushes the hyperfocal distance much farther (it appears squared); a smaller aperture (larger f-number) brings it closer, expanding depth of field; and the circle of confusion — the largest blur spot that still looks 'sharp' — depends on the sensor format and how big the image will be viewed. This tool includes circle-of-confusion presets for full-frame, APS-C (Nikon/Sony and Canon variants), Micro Four Thirds, and 1-inch sensors, and lets you override the value directly. It reports the hyperfocal distance in both meters and feet, plus the near limit (H/2) so you can see the full sharp zone. Practically, a wide lens at a moderately small aperture has a surprisingly short hyperfocal distance — a 24mm lens at f/11 on full frame is sharp from roughly a meter and a half to infinity — which is why wide-angle landscape shots can hold both foreground rocks and distant mountains in focus. The 'acceptable sharpness' is a viewing-dependent criterion, so for large prints or pixel-peeping you may want a stricter circle of confusion. Everything runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
How to use it
- Enter your lens focal length in millimeters.
- Enter the aperture (f-number) you are shooting at.
- Select your sensor format (sets the circle of confusion), or enter a custom value.
- Read the hyperfocal distance and the near limit — focus at the hyperfocal distance for sharpness from there to infinity.
Frequently asked questions
- What is hyperfocal distance?
- The closest focus distance that still keeps infinity acceptably sharp. Focusing there gives the maximum depth of field: everything from half the hyperfocal distance to infinity is acceptably sharp.
- How is hyperfocal distance calculated?
- H = focal length² ÷ (f-number × circle of confusion) + focal length, in millimeters. For a 50mm lens at f/8 on full frame (CoC 0.029mm), H is about 10.8 meters.
- What is the circle of confusion?
- The largest blur spot that still appears sharp to a viewer. It depends on sensor size and viewing conditions — about 0.029mm for full frame, 0.019mm for APS-C, 0.015mm for Micro Four Thirds. Smaller sensors use a smaller value.
- How do focal length and aperture affect it?
- Longer focal lengths increase hyperfocal distance sharply (it scales with the square of focal length). Smaller apertures (higher f-numbers) decrease it, giving more depth of field. Wide lenses at small apertures have short hyperfocal distances.
- If I focus at the hyperfocal distance, what is sharp?
- Everything from half the hyperfocal distance to infinity. This is why setting focus to the hyperfocal distance — rather than at infinity — maximizes the usable depth of field in a scene.
- Is anything uploaded?
- No. All calculations run entirely in your browser.