Hyperfocal Distance Calculator

Hyperfocal distance: maximum depth of field

The hyperfocal distance H is the nearest point you can focus on while still holding everything from H/2 out to infinity at acceptable sharpness. You work it out with H = f²/(N·c) + f, where f is the focal length, N is the f-number (aperture) and c is the sensor's circle of confusion (full-frame ≈ 0.03 mm, APS-C ≈ 0.019 mm, micro 4/3 ≈ 0.015 mm). Run a 24 mm lens at f/8 on full-frame and you land on H ≈ 24²/(8·0.03) + 24 ≈ 2,424 mm ≈ 2.4 m. Focus there and the frame stays sharp from 1.2 m to infinity. Smartphone fixed lenses ship hyperfocal out of the box, and apps such as PhotoPills and HyperFocal Pro will run the math for you on location.

Applications

It shows up in landscape photography (sharp foreground and distant mountains at once), street photography (zone focusing so you can grab candid shots fast), architecture and astrophotography foregrounds. Where it really earns its keep is when you're shooting too quickly to refocus on every frame.

FAQ

Does H change with the sensor? It does. A smaller sensor has a smaller circle of confusion, which pushes H up for the same focal length and aperture.

Why not just focus at infinity? Focus at infinity and you throw away the near-field depth of field. Focus at H instead and you roughly double the sharp zone that extends back toward you.

Is H precise? Treat it as a working approximation. At very small apertures (f/16 and beyond) diffraction softens the whole result, so stick to f/8–f/11 when you want the crispest hyperfocal frames.