Calculate precise depth of field, hyperfocal distance, and focus range for any camera and lens combination. Get sharp photos from foreground to background.
Last Updated: January 2026 | Reviewed by: VerCalc Photography Team
What is Depth of Field (DoF)?
Depth of Field (DoF) is the zone of acceptable sharpness in front of and behind your focus point. It's determined by three factors: aperture (f-number), focal length, and focus distance. Use this calculator to determine exactly what will be sharp in your photograph, from portrait background blur to landscape foreground-to-infinity sharpness.
Depth of Field Calculator
Calculate the exact depth of field for your camera and lens combination. Get precise near and far focus limits, hyperfocal distance, and visualize your focus range for perfect sharpness in portraits and landscapes.
Depth of Field Comparison by Aperture
Understanding how aperture affects DoF helps you choose the right settings for your photography style:
| Aperture | DoF Depth | Background Blur | Best For |
|---|
| f/1.4 - f/2.8 | Very Shallow | Strong (bokeh) | Portraits, subject isolation |
| f/4 - f/5.6 | Moderate | Medium | Environmental portraits, products |
| f/8 - f/11 | Deep | Slight | Landscapes, architecture, groups |
| f/16 - f/22 | Very Deep | Minimal | Macro, landscapes with near foreground |
Note: Very small apertures (f/22+) may cause diffraction, slightly reducing overall sharpness. For most lenses, f/8-f/11 provides the sharpest results. When shooting in bright conditions and need to use wide apertures for shallow DoF, consider using an ND filter to reduce light without changing your aperture setting.
Hyperfocal Distance Table for Common Lenses
Quick reference guide for hyperfocal distances with popular lens and aperture combinations (Full Frame sensor):
| Focal Length | f/8 | f/11 | f/16 |
|---|
| 16mm | 1.1 m | 0.8 m | 0.5 m |
| 24mm | 2.4 m | 1.7 m | 1.2 m |
| 35mm | 5.1 m | 3.7 m | 2.6 m |
| 50mm | 10.4 m | 7.6 m | 5.2 m |
Tip: Focus at the hyperfocal distance to keep everything from half that distance to infinity in sharp focus.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q:What is depth of field (DoF)?
Depth of field is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a photo that appear acceptably sharp. A shallow DoF (small zone of sharpness) is used for portraits to blur backgrounds, while a deep DoF (large zone of sharpness) is used for landscapes where you want everything from foreground to background in focus.
Q:What affects depth of field?
Three main factors control depth of field: (1) Aperture - smaller f-numbers (like f/1.8) create shallow DoF, larger f-numbers (like f/11) create deep DoF; (2) Focal length - longer lenses produce shallower DoF at the same distance; (3) Focus distance - the closer you focus, the shallower the DoF becomes. Sensor size also plays a role through the circle of confusion.
Q:What is hyperfocal distance?
Hyperfocal distance is the closest distance at which you can focus your lens while keeping objects at infinity acceptably sharp. When you focus at the hyperfocal distance, everything from half that distance to infinity will be in focus—maximizing depth of field. This technique is essential for landscape photography when you want sharpness from foreground to background.
Q:What is circle of confusion (CoC)?
The circle of confusion is the maximum blur spot diameter that still appears as a point to the human eye when viewing a print at a standard distance. It depends on sensor size—smaller sensors have smaller CoC values. For example, a full-frame sensor uses 0.030mm while an APS-C sensor uses approximately 0.020mm. This value is crucial for accurate DoF calculations.
Q:How do I get maximum depth of field for landscapes?
To maximize depth of field for landscapes: (1) Use a small aperture like f/11 or f/16; (2) Use a wide-angle lens (shorter focal length); (3) Focus at the hyperfocal distance instead of infinity—this calculator will tell you exactly where to focus. Focusing at the hyperfocal distance ensures maximum sharpness from the foreground to infinity.
Q:How do I get shallow depth of field for portraits?
For shallow DoF with blurred backgrounds in portraits: (1) Use a wide aperture like f/1.4, f/1.8, or f/2.8; (2) Use a longer focal length like 85mm or 135mm; (3) Get closer to your subject; (4) Keep the background far from your subject. All these factors combine to create beautiful background blur (bokeh) while keeping your subject sharp.