What is hyperfocal distance?

It is the closest focus distance at which a lens keeps everything from half that distance out to infinity acceptably sharp. Focusing there maximises depth of field for landscapes.

How is it calculated?

The hyperfocal distance H = f squared / (N x c) + f, where f is focal length in mm, N is the f-number, and c is the circle of confusion for your sensor format.

What is the circle of confusion?

It is the largest blur spot that still looks sharp at normal viewing size — about 0.029 mm for full-frame, 0.018–0.019 mm for APS-C, 0.015 mm for Micro Four Thirds, and 0.011 mm for 1-inch sensors. Smaller sensors have a smaller circle of confusion.

Why does a wider lens or smaller aperture push the hyperfocal closer?

Hyperfocal distance scales with focal length squared and inversely with the f-number. A short focal length or a high f-number (small aperture) both shrink H, so more of the scene falls within the sharp zone.

How do I use the result in the field?

Set your lens focus to the hyperfocal distance shown. Everything from half that distance out to infinity will be acceptably sharp — ideal for landscapes where you want both foreground and horizon crisp.

Is anything uploaded?

No — every calculation runs locally in your browser.

Hyperfocal Distance Calculator

Hyperfocal distance calculator

The hyperfocal distance is the optimal focus point for landscapes: set focus there and everything from half that distance to infinity is acceptably sharp, giving you the deepest possible depth of field from a single frame. It is one of the most practical tools a landscape or street photographer can keep to hand.

How it works

The calculator uses the standard formula:

H = f² / (N × c) + f

where f is the focal length in millimetres, N is the f-number (aperture), and c is the circle of confusion — the blur threshold for your sensor. The tool selects c from your chosen format (full-frame 0.029 mm, APS-C ~0.018–0.019 mm, Micro Four Thirds 0.015 mm, 1-inch 0.011 mm). H is converted to metres, and the near limit of sharpness when focused at H is simply H / 2.

Example

Full-frame (c = 0.029 mm), 24 mm lens at f/8:

H = 24² / (8 × 0.029) + 24 = 576 / 0.232 + 24 ≈ 2,507 mm ≈ 2.5 m
Focus at 2.5 m and everything from ~1.25 m to infinity is acceptably sharp.

Sensor	Circle of confusion
Full-frame	0.029 mm
APS-C	0.018–0.019 mm
Micro Four Thirds	0.015 mm
1-inch	0.011 mm

All computed privately in your browser.