Photography / Focus

Hyperfocal Distance Calculator: Focus and Sharp Limits

Calculate a hyperfocal distance from focal length, aperture and circle of confusion. Start with full frame, APS-C, Micro Four Thirds or 1-inch conventions, edit the blur threshold, and compare near and far limits.

Hyperfocal Distance Calculator: Focus and Sharp Limits: Starts with a 24 mm lens at f/8 focused at the hyperfocal distance. It uses thin-lens formulas and lets you edit the circle of confusion directly. The depth-of-field calculator offers a separate view for comparing general subject focus distances. Runs 100% locally in your browser with zero server file uploads.

Category
Everyday tools
Runs
In your browser
Cost
Free · no sign-up
Availability
Ready to use
Hyperfocal focusing benchLocal processing

Runs entirely in your browser

These circle-of-confusion presets are conventional choices for ordinary viewing, not sensor specifications. Larger prints and close inspection may need a smaller value.

Hyperfocal distance2.424 m
Near sharp limit1.212 m
Far sharp limitInfinity
Focus distance2.424 m

At hyperfocal focus, the near limit is approximately half the hyperfocal distance and the far limit reaches infinity.

Thin-lens formulas

H = f² / (N × c) + f
Near = s(H − f) / (H + s − 2f)
Far = s(H − f) / (H − s), when s < H
Far = ∞, when s ≥ H

f is focal length, N is the f-number, c is the circle of confusion and s is focus distance. Use millimetres throughout the formulas. Real lens markings and optical designs can differ; check focus in the photograph.

Compare depth of field at other focus distances

Thin-lens equations

UC Berkeley CS39J, Depth of Field and Hyperfocal Distance Equations and Approximations: https://www-inst.eecs.berkeley.edu/~cs39j/sp05/handouts/depth.of.field.writeup.html . The tool retains H = f squared / (N c) + f and computes near and far limits in millimetres.

Acceptable sharpness

Stanford CS178, depth of field: https://vis.stanford.edu/courses/cs178/applets/dof.html . Depth of field is based on an acceptable circle of confusion rather than a perfectly sharp interval. At hyperfocal focus, the near limit is approximately half the hyperfocal distance.

How to use it

  1. Enter actual focal length and aperture, then choose or edit the circle of confusion.
  2. Keep hyperfocal focus selected or enter another focus distance.
  3. Read the hyperfocal distance, near and far limits and the displayed formulas.

Privacy & limitations

Focus calculations stay in your browser.

Related tools

Depth of FieldCrop FactorExposure

Frequently asked questions

Are the sensor presets exact specifications?

No. 0.030 mm for full frame, 0.020 for APS-C, 0.015 for Micro Four Thirds and 0.011 for 1 inch are conventional viewing choices. Print size, viewing distance and personal sharpness requirements can justify a different value.

Why is the far limit infinity?

In this model, focus at or beyond the hyperfocal distance places infinity within the acceptable blur limit. It does not mean every detail is perfectly sharp.

Should I use the equivalent focal length?

No. Enter the actual focal length in millimetres. Check a real photograph because lens designs, distance markings and diffraction affect practical results.

Free tool · runs in your browser · no account required