Free Photography Tool
Depth of Field Calculator
Enter your camera sensor, aperture, focal length, and subject distance to instantly calculate your depth of field — near limit, far limit, total sharp zone, and hyperfocal distance.
Camera sensor Full Frame (35mm)
Aperture (f-stop) f/2.8
Focal length 85 mm
10mm400mm
Subject distance 3.0 m
0.3m30m
Teal zone = sharp focus range | Subject marker = your set distance
Near limit
—
metres from camera
Far limit
—
metres from camera
Total depth of field
—
metres sharp
Hyperfocal distance
—
metres
What these numbers mean
Near limit — the closest distance from the camera that still appears acceptably sharp. Anything in front of this point will be visibly blurred.
Far limit — the furthest distance from the camera that remains sharp. When this reads ∞, everything from the near limit to the horizon is in focus.
Total depth of field — the full range of sharp distance from near limit to far limit. For portrait photography, a shallow DoF of 0.1–0.5m isolates the subject beautifully.
Hyperfocal distance — focus your lens here and everything from half this distance to infinity will be sharp. Essential for landscape and street photographers who want maximum depth.
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Aperture quick reference guide
Typical depth of field effect at 85mm, subject at 3 metres, full frame camera.
| Aperture | Total DoF | Typical use | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| f/1.4 | ~0.08m | Boudoir, intimate portrait | Very blurred |
| f/1.8 | ~0.12m | Portrait, headshot | Strong bokeh |
| f/2.8 | ~0.24m | Portrait, fashion | Smooth blur |
| f/5.6 | ~0.55m | 3/4 body, editorial | Mild blur |
| f/8 | ~0.85m | Full body, group | Mostly sharp |
| f/11–f/16 | 1.5m+ | Landscape, environment | Sharp throughout |
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Frequently asked questions
What is depth of field in photography?
Depth of field (DoF) is the range of distance within a photograph that appears acceptably sharp and in focus. It is determined by three main factors: the aperture (f-stop), the focal length of the lens, and the distance between the camera and the subject. A wide aperture such as f/1.8 produces a shallow depth of field with strong background blur, while a narrow aperture such as f/16 produces a deep depth of field where more of the scene is in focus.
How does aperture affect depth of field?
A wide aperture such as f/1.4 or f/1.8 creates a very shallow depth of field, isolating the subject from the background with strong bokeh. A narrow aperture such as f/11 or f/16 creates a deep depth of field where both foreground and background elements appear sharp. For portrait photography, apertures between f/1.4 and f/2.8 are commonly used to separate the subject from the background.
What is hyperfocal distance?
Hyperfocal distance is the closest focusing distance at which objects at infinity remain acceptably sharp. When a lens is focused at the hyperfocal distance, the depth of field extends from half that distance to infinity. Landscape and street photographers use hyperfocal distance to maximise the zone of sharpness in a scene without needing to focus on a specific subject.
Does focal length affect depth of field?
Yes, focal length affects depth of field when all other variables are held constant. Longer focal lengths such as 85mm or 135mm produce a shallower depth of field at any given aperture and subject distance compared to shorter focal lengths like 35mm. This is why portrait photographers often prefer telephoto lenses for subject isolation. However, if you reframe to keep the subject the same size in the frame, depth of field remains approximately equivalent.
What is circle of confusion?
The circle of confusion (CoC) is the maximum diameter of a blur spot in an image that the human eye still perceives as a sharp point. It is sensor-size dependent: full frame cameras use a CoC of approximately 0.029mm, APS-C cameras use approximately 0.019mm, and Micro Four Thirds cameras use approximately 0.015mm. A smaller circle of confusion means the camera resolves finer detail, resulting in a shallower perceived depth of field for the same settings.