{
  "slug": "depth-of-field",
  "title": "Depth of Field Calculator",
  "heading": "Depth of Field Calculator",
  "category": "other",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/depth-of-field",
  "summary": "Near limit, far limit, and total depth for your lens and sensor.",
  "description": "Depth of field depends on focal length, aperture, focus distance, and the circle of confusion for your sensor size. Knowing the hyperfocal distance lets you keep an entire landscape sharp without stopping down further than you need.",
  "formula": "Hyperfocal H = f²/(N × c) + f; near = H·s/(H + s − f); far = H·s/(H − s + f).",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-30",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=depth-of-field",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "focal",
      "label": "Focal length",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 50,
      "unit": "mm",
      "min": 4,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "aperture",
      "label": "Aperture (f-number)",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 2.8,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 0.7,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "distance",
      "label": "Focus distance",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 10,
      "unit": "ft",
      "min": 0.3,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "sensor",
      "label": "Sensor format",
      "kind": "select",
      "hint": null,
      "default": "ff",
      "options": [
        {
          "value": "ff",
          "label": "Full frame (c = 0.029 mm)"
        },
        {
          "value": "apsc",
          "label": "APS-C (c = 0.019 mm)"
        },
        {
          "value": "mft",
          "label": "Micro Four Thirds (c = 0.015 mm)"
        },
        {
          "value": "mf",
          "label": "Medium format 44×33 (c = 0.037 mm)"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "total",
      "label": "Total depth of field (ft)",
      "format": "raw",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "near",
      "label": "Near limit (ft)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "far",
      "label": "Far limit (ft)",
      "format": "raw",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "hyperfocal",
      "label": "Hyperfocal distance (ft)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "inFront",
      "label": "Sharp in front of subject (ft)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "behind",
      "label": "Sharp behind subject (ft)",
      "format": "raw",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Focal length: 50 mm",
      "Aperture (f-number): 2.8",
      "Focus distance: 10 ft",
      "Sensor format: Full frame (c = 0.029 mm)"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Total depth of field (ft): 1.96",
      "Near limit (ft): 9.11",
      "Far limit (ft): 11.08",
      "Hyperfocal distance (ft): 101.18",
      "Sharp in front of subject (ft): 0.89",
      "Sharp behind subject (ft): 1.08"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter focal length (mm).",
      "Enter aperture (f-number).",
      "Enter focus distance (ft).",
      "Enter sensor format.",
      "Read your total depth of field (ft) on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "focal": 30,
        "aperture": 1.68,
        "distance": 6,
        "sensor": "ff"
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "focal": 50,
        "aperture": 2.8,
        "distance": 10,
        "sensor": "ff"
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "focal": 80,
        "aperture": 4.4799999999999995,
        "distance": 16,
        "sensor": "ff"
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.",
    "Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.",
    "Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Is depth of field always one-third front, two-thirds back?",
      "a": "Only at moderate distances. Up close it approaches an even split; near the hyperfocal distance the far limit runs to infinity, so the ratio breaks down entirely."
    },
    {
      "q": "Why does sensor size change the result?",
      "a": "Smaller sensors are enlarged more to reach the same print size, so a smaller blur circle is acceptable. That tighter circle of confusion is why a Micro Four Thirds shot at f/2.8 looks deeper than full frame at f/2.8."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/field-of-view",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/exposure-value"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Depth of Field Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/depth-of-field)"
}