# Hyperfocal Distance Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/other/hyperfocal-distance/
Last updated: 2026-10-30

> The hyperfocal distance calculator tells you where to focus so that everything from half that distance to infinity is acceptably sharp, using your sensor size, focal length, aperture and circle of confusion – or works backwards to the aperture you need for a given foreground.

## Inputs

- Calculate
- Sensor size — Choose your camera's sensor format – crop factors are relative to full frame.
- Sensor width (mm, in, cm)
- Sensor height (mm, in, cm)
- Lens focal length (mm, cm, in)
- Aperture — Marked f-numbers are rounded; the calculator uses the exact values (f/22 is really f/22.63).
- f-number (N)
- Nearest point that must be sharp (m, cm, mm, ft, in, km, yd, mi)
- Circle of confusion — The largest blur spot that still looks sharp. Full frame with the standard rule gives 0.029 mm.
- Print width (in, cm, mm)
- Print height (in, cm, mm)
- Viewing distance (cm, in, m, ft)
- Visual acuity (line pairs per mm at 25 cm) — 5 lp/mm is normal eyesight; 8 lp/mm is very sharp eyesight.
- Circle of confusion (mm, µm)

## Results

- Hyperfocal distance (focus here)
- Everything is sharp from
- Focal ratio (f-number)
- Nearest marked aperture
- Circle of confusion used
- Crop factor
- Hyperfocal distance at each aperture

## Formula

```
H = f² ÷ (N · c) + f · nearest sharp point = H ÷ 2 · reverse: N = f² ÷ (c · (H − f)) with H = 2 × nearest point
```

## Explanation

The hyperfocal distance is the closest focus distance at which the far end of the depth of field just reaches infinity. Focus there and the zone of acceptable sharpness runs from half the hyperfocal distance all the way to the horizon – the largest depth of field your lens can give at that aperture.

Landscape, street and architecture photographers rely on it: rather than focusing on the mountains (wasting depth of field beyond infinity) or on the foreground rock (blurring the distance), they focus at the hyperfocal distance and get both sharp. Zone focusing with wide-angle lenses works the same way – set the focus once and shoot without waiting for autofocus.

The hyperfocal distance falls quickly as you stop down or use a wider lens: a 24 mm lens at f/8 on full frame has a hyperfocal distance of about 2.5 m, while a 50 mm lens at f/2.8 needs about 31 m. Use the reverse mode when you know how close your foreground is and want the aperture that still keeps it sharp along with infinity.

### How to use the Hyperfocal Distance Calculator

- **Calculate**
- **Sensor size** — Choose your camera's sensor format – crop factors are relative to full frame.
- **Sensor width**
- **Sensor height**
- **Lens focal length**
- **Aperture** — Marked f-numbers are rounded; the calculator uses the exact values (f/22 is really f/22.63).
- **f-number (N)**
- **Nearest point that must be sharp**
- **Circle of confusion** — The largest blur spot that still looks sharp. Full frame with the standard rule gives 0.029 mm.
- **Print width**
- **Print height**
- **Viewing distance**
- **Visual acuity (line pairs per mm at 25 cm)** — 5 lp/mm is normal eyesight; 8 lp/mm is very sharp eyesight.
- **Circle of confusion**

Everything is calculated in your browser, so results appear instantly and nothing you type is sent to a server.

### How it works

Pick your sensor and circle-of-confusion standard, then enter the focal length and either the aperture (to get the hyperfocal distance) or the nearest point that must be sharp (to get the aperture). The table lists the hyperfocal distance for every full stop so you can choose quickly in the field.

### Worked example

A full-frame camera with a 24 mm lens is set to f/8. The circle of confusion is 0.0288 mm (diagonal ÷ 1500).

H = 24² ÷ (8 × 0.0288) + 24 = 576 ÷ 0.2307 + 24 ≈ 2,520 mm. Focus at about 2.52 m and everything from 1.26 m to infinity is acceptably sharp. In reverse, if the nearest rock is 1.5 m away you need H = 3 m, so N = 24² ÷ (0.0288 × 2976) ≈ 6.7 – set f/8 (or f/7.1) and focus at 3 m.

### Hyperfocal distances at f/8 (full frame, c = 0.029 mm)

Focal lengthHyperfocal distanceSharp from14 mm0.86 m0.43 m24 mm2.52 m1.26 m35 mm5.34 m2.67 m50 mm10.88 m5.44 m85 mm31.4 m15.7 m

## Worked example

Inputs — Calculate: Hyperfocal distance from the aperture; Sensor size: Full frame (35 mm) – 36 × 24 mm (crop 1.00×); Lens focal length: 24 mm; Aperture: f/8; Circle of confusion: Standard – sensor diagonal ÷ 1500 (8×10 in print seen at 25 cm).

Results — **Hyperfocal distance (focus here) = 2,520.1509**; Everything is sharp from = 1,260.0754; Focal ratio (f-number) = 8; Nearest marked aperture = f/8; Circle of confusion used = 0.0288; Crop factor = 1 ×.

## Key terms

- **Hyperfocal distance**: Focus distance that puts the far limit of depth of field at infinity.
- **Zone focusing**: Presetting focus so a range of distances is sharp without refocusing.
- **Diffraction**: Softening caused by light spreading at small apertures, noticeable beyond about f/11 on full frame.

## FAQ

**How do I use the hyperfocal distance?**
Focus manually at the distance shown (use the distance scale, live-view magnification or focus on something that far away). Everything from half that distance to infinity will be acceptably sharp.

**What is the hyperfocal distance of a 24 mm lens at f/8?**
About 2.5 m on full frame with the standard 0.029 mm circle of confusion, so everything from about 1.26 m to infinity is sharp.

**Why does my phone seem to have everything in focus?**
Its tiny sensor and very short focal length give a hyperfocal distance of only a metre or two even at the widest aperture.

**Should I always stop down to f/22 for maximum depth?**
No. Beyond about f/11 on full frame (f/8 on APS-C) diffraction softens the whole image. It is usually better to use f/8–f/11 and focus at the hyperfocal distance.

**Is the hyperfocal distance measured from the lens or the sensor?**
Strictly from the front principal point of the lens, but for distances of a metre or more measuring from the camera's focal-plane mark is close enough.

**Why is my horizon slightly soft?**
At exactly the hyperfocal distance infinity is only just acceptable. Focusing a little beyond it, or using the stricter circle of confusion, gives a crisper horizon.


## Sources

- [Wikipedia – Hyperfocal distance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperfocal_distance)
- [Wikipedia – Circle of confusion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_of_confusion)
- [Cambridge in Colour – Hyperfocal distance](https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/hyperfocal-distance.htm)