Hyperfocal Distance Calculator

What is Hyperfocal Distance?

The hyperfocal distance is the closest focus distance at which a lens can be focused while keeping objects at infinity acceptably sharp. When focused at the hyperfocal distance, the depth of field extends from half the hyperfocal distance to infinity, providing the maximum possible depth of field for a given focal length and aperture.

The Formula

• H = Hyperfocal distance
• f = Focal length of the lens
• N = f-number (aperture)
• c = Circle of confusion diameter

When focused at the hyperfocal distance:

• Near sharp limit = H / 2 (half the hyperfocal distance)
• Far sharp limit = Infinity

Circle of Confusion (CoC)

The circle of confusion is the largest blur spot on the sensor that still appears sharp to the human eye when the final image is viewed. It depends on the sensor size because smaller sensors require more magnification, making blur more visible:

• Medium Format: 0.043 mm
• Full Frame (35mm): 0.030 mm
• APS-C: 0.019 – 0.020 mm
• Micro Four Thirds: 0.015 mm
• 1" Sensor: 0.011 mm
• Smartphone: ~0.006 mm

How Focal Length and Aperture Affect Hyperfocal Distance

• Shorter focal lengths yield shorter hyperfocal distances, making wide-angle lenses ideal for landscapes where front-to-back sharpness is desired.
• Narrower apertures (higher f-numbers like f/11, f/16) reduce the hyperfocal distance, extending the depth of field. However, very narrow apertures can cause diffraction softening.
• Smaller sensors (smaller CoC) produce shorter hyperfocal distances at equivalent settings.

Practical Tips

• Landscape photography: Focus at the hyperfocal distance to keep both foreground and distant elements sharp. Use f/8 to f/11 for the best balance of depth and sharpness.
• Street photography: Pre-focus at the hyperfocal distance for fast, zone-focused shooting without autofocus delay.
• Avoid diffraction: Apertures beyond f/16 on full-frame sensors (or f/11 on APS-C) can reduce overall sharpness due to diffraction, even though depth of field increases.
• Infinity focus: Focusing at infinity wastes half of the available depth of field. Focusing at the hyperfocal distance instead extends sharpness from H/2 to infinity.

Hyperfocal distances for common settings (Full Frame, CoC = 0.030 mm)

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