Calculate thin-lens hyperfocal distance and its exact entered-criterion near limit from actual focal length, taking f-number, and explicit circle of confusion.
Choose your path
Calculate exact thin-lens hyperfocal distance and near limit from an explicit acceptable-blur criterion without sensor presets or sharpness promises.
Place one criterion-based hyperfocal hypothesis and inspect foreground/distant detail.
Enter actual focal length, taking f-number and output-based CoC, then test the exact near limit.
Does not present H/2 as exact or substitute geometry for a capture review.
Keep the acceptance criterion and focal-length term visible.
Save entered CoC, exact H and exact near limit to the session Project.
Can reproduce the optical hypothesis and identify the chosen criterion.
See the difference between the exact near limit and H/2 approximation.
Inspect both values and their millimeter difference.
Can audit the convention without accepting a sensor-format lookup as truth.
Outputs and checklists are planning aids. Review the linked current authorities and the records, terms, instructions, and requirements that apply to your exact situation before a consequential decision.
This tool is part of these guided projects. Each project provides step-by-step instructions with checklists and all the tools you need in one place.
Tools you might need next
Calculate hyperfocal distance for maximum depth of field at given f-number. Free optics hyperfocal distance tool for optics, hyperfocal, and more.
Calculate hyperfocal distance for maximum depth of field in landscape photography. Free hyperfocal distance calculator for camera exposure, lens settings.
Adjust carry distance for high-altitude golf courses. Essential golf tool for planning, budgeting, and project optimization.
Hyperfocal H depends on actual focal length, taking f-number, and an explicitly chosen acceptable-blur criterion, all using consistent millimeter units.
H = f² / (N × c) + f (f = focal length, N = f-number, c = CoC)When the focus distance equals H under this thin-lens convention, the far entered-criterion limit is infinity and the exact near limit retains the focal-length term. H/2 is shown only as an approximation.
near at H = H² / (2H − f); approximation = H / 2The calculator does not choose CoC from a sensor label. Document the criterion’s basis in final output size, enlargement, viewing distance, visual acuity, and the acceptance standard owned by the workflow.
Enter c explicitly in millimeters; no format preset is inferredUpdated: August 2026
Enter the actual focal length, taking aperture, and output-based criterion, then make labeled tests around the calculated focus mark and inspect both foreground and distant detail at final-output scale.
Do not select a sensor preset. Use the actual focal length for the lens/capture mode and the CoC criterion approved for the intended output and viewing conditions.
If required foreground detail lies inside the calculated near limit, reassess viewpoint, focal length, aperture, focus placement, movement, output criteria, or a separately controlled multi-capture method.
Use H²/(2H−f) under this convention and show H/2 only as an approximation; then verify the real lens and output.
Use the intended taking aperture and an explicit output/viewing criterion, then inspect aberrations, diffraction, focus shift, field curvature, movement, processing, and the final deliverable.
Hyperfocal distance is a criterion-based thin-lens focus hypothesis. This calculator keeps actual focal length, taking f-number, and the entered circle of confusion visible, reports the exact near limit when focused at H, and compares it with the common H/2 approximation. Real lens, capture, movement, processing, output, and viewing tests still decide acceptance.