Hyperfocal Distance Calculator
Free hyperfocal distance calculator: enter focal length, aperture and sensor to find where to focus for maximum sharpness from the foreground to infinity.
Updated 2026-06-14 · Free · No sign-up · Runs privately in your browser
Show the formula & steps
How the Hyperfocal Distance Calculator Works
The hyperfocal distance is the single most useful number in landscape photography: focus there and your shot is sharp from the near foreground all the way to the horizon. This calculator finds it from your focal length, aperture, and sensor format, and also tells you the near limit (where the sharp zone begins).
The 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 for your sensor. Once you focus at distance H, everything from H ÷ 2 to infinity is acceptably sharp.
Worked Example
A 24mm lens set to f/8 on a full-frame body (c = 0.029mm):
- H = 24² / (8 × 0.029) + 24
- H = 576 / 0.232 + 24
- H = 2,483 + 24 = 2,507 mm ≈ 2.51 m
So focus at about 2.5 m, and everything from H ÷ 2 = 1.25 m out to infinity will be sharp.
Hyperfocal Distance at a Glance (full frame, f/8)
| Focal length | Hyperfocal distance | Sharp from |
|---|---|---|
| 16mm | ≈ 1.12 m | ≈ 0.56 m |
| 24mm | ≈ 2.51 m | ≈ 1.25 m |
| 35mm | ≈ 5.32 m | ≈ 2.66 m |
| 50mm | ≈ 10.83 m | ≈ 5.41 m |
How to Use It in the Field
- Pick your composition and aperture (f/8 to f/11 is the sweet spot for most landscape lenses).
- Read the hyperfocal distance for your focal length from this calculator.
- Manually focus to that distance, or focus on an object at roughly that distance.
- Stop motion blur with a tripod, then shoot. Front-to-back sharpness without focus stacking.
Frequently asked questions
What is hyperfocal distance?+
Hyperfocal distance is the closest focus distance at which everything from half that distance all the way to infinity appears acceptably sharp. Focusing there gives the greatest possible depth of field for a given lens and aperture, which is why it is the go-to technique for landscapes.
How do you calculate hyperfocal distance?+
Use H = f² / (N × c) + f, where f is the focal length in millimetres, N is the f-number and c is the circle of confusion for your sensor. For a 24mm lens at f/8 on full frame (c = 0.029mm), H ≈ 2.51 m.
What is the circle of confusion?+
It is the largest blur spot that still reads as a sharp point in the final image, and it scales with sensor size. Common values are 0.029mm for full frame, 0.019mm for APS-C and 0.015mm for Micro Four Thirds, usually taken as the sensor diagonal divided by 1500.
Where exactly do I focus?+
Set your focus distance to the hyperfocal distance the calculator returns. Everything from half that distance to infinity will then be sharp. If you cannot dial in an exact distance, focus slightly beyond it rather than closer, so infinity stays crisp.
Does hyperfocal distance change with sensor size?+
Yes. A smaller sensor has a smaller circle of confusion, which increases the hyperfocal distance for the same focal length and aperture. But because you also use a shorter focal length to match the field of view, smaller sensors generally give more depth of field overall.