Advanced Depth Of Field (DoF) Calculator

How to use the Advanced Depth Of Field Calculator

Most depth of field calculators you find online give DoF values based on an accepted Circle of Confusion (CoC). This CoC results from the combination of the selected camera sensor and the following viewing hypothesis:

  • Print size of 8''×10'' (20cm×25cm).
  • Viewing distance of 10" (25cm).
  • Manufacturers standard visual acuity (the viewer can perceive details which size is roughly 0.01”).

Remember that the Circle of Confusion establishes the frontier between what is considered to be in focus and out of focus in an image. The Circle of Confusion Calculator will help you learn more about it.

Well, these assumptions work pretty well in most cases. But when you want to change the viewing conditions, you need to adjust the Circle of Confusion accordingly to get the adjusted depth of field values.

For example, you need to use an adjusted CoC when you want to print a picture of a landscape in large format (let's say 2.29x4.92ft - 70x150cm).

This Advanced Depth of Field Calculator allows you to do all the calculations in the blink of an eye.

Just introduce the desired print size, viewing distance, camera sensor size and viewer’s visual acuity (or directly the CoC value you need) to work out the adjusted DoF values:

  • Hyperfocal distance: The closest distance at which a lens can be focused while keeping objects at infinity acceptably sharp. When the lens is focused at this distance, all objects at distances from half of the hyperfocal distance out to infinity will be acceptably sharp.
  • Hyperfocal near limit: The distance between the camera and the first element that is considered to be acceptably sharp when focusing at the hyperfocal distance. 
  • Depth of field (DOF): The distance between the farthest and nearest points which are in acceptable focus. This can also be identified as the zone of acceptable sharpness in front of and behind the subject to which the lens is focused on. 
  • DOF near limit: The distance between the camera and the first element that is considered to be acceptably sharp.
  • DOF far limit: The distance between the camera and the furthest element that is considered to be acceptably sharp.
  • Depth of Field (DOF) In Front: Distance between the DoF Near Limit and the focus plane.
  • Depth of Field (DOF) Behind: Distance between the focus plane and the DoF Far Limit.

Understanding depth of field

If you’re interested in learning more about circle of confusion, hyperfocal distance and depth of field, this is your how-to article:

Depth of Field: The Definitive Guide

It contains everything you need to help you get the control over deep depth of field...

... and also over shallow depth of field, so you can drive the attention of the viewer where you desire.

Advanced DoF Calculator in PhotoPills app

This advanced depth of field calculator is also available in PhotoPills app, extended with an augmented reality view to help you visualize where to focus. 


PhotoPills' Advanced Depth of Field (DOF) Calculator - results in a table.

PhotoPills' Advanced Depth of Field (DOF) Calculator - CoC calculator.

Finally, If you're interested in improving your photography, check our detailed photography guides on:

And also check these fundamental photography guides:

How to embed the Advanced DoF Calculator on your website

Take the power of PhotoPills’ Advanced Depth of Field (DOF) Calculator with you. Just copy the following lines and paste them within the code of your website, right in the place where you want to embed it:

<div id="ppdofadv"></div>
<script src="//photopills.com/widgets/ppdofadv.min.js" async></script>

The code will run asynchronously, without penalizing the loading time of your website.

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