Free Hyperfocal Distance Calculator
Set your lens to the hyperfocal distance and everything from half that distance to infinity will be acceptably sharp — the classic landscape technique for maximum depth of field without focus stacking.
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What is hyperfocal distance?
The hyperfocal distance H is the focus distance at which the far limit of your depth of field just touches infinity. Focus closer and you lose the horizon; focus farther and you waste depth of field in front of you. It's calculated as:
H = f² / (N × c) + f
where f is focal length (mm), N is the aperture number, and c is the circle of confusion (mm). For a 24 mm lens at f/8 on full frame (CoC 0.030 mm): H = 576 / 0.24 + 24 = 2,424 mm ≈ 2.42 m — focus at ~2.4 m and everything from ~1.2 m to infinity is sharp.
Related tools & guides
Depth of Field Calculator
Near/far limits and total DoF for any focus distance.
Open →Hyperfocal Distance Chart
Printable charts for full frame & APS-C — no math needed.
Open →Depth of Field for Landscape
Hyperfocal, focus stacking, and the f-stop sweet spot.
Read →Hyperfocal FAQ
Is the hyperfocal distance the same as the infinity mark on my lens?
No. The infinity mark is where distant subjects are sharp, but the near limit may be far away. Hyperfocal is the specific distance that maximizes sharpness from near to infinity — usually closer than you think.
Does hyperfocal focusing work for wide-angle lenses only?
It works for any focal length, but the numbers get impractical at longer focal lengths — a 200 mm lens at f/8 has a hyperfocal distance of ~170 m on full frame, so it's mainly useful for wide and standard lenses.
Is hyperfocal focusing accurate enough for modern high-resolution sensors?
With the standard CoC convention, hyperfocal is "acceptably sharp" for normal viewing. On high-megapixel sensors some photographers use a stricter CoC (e.g. diagonal ÷ 2000) or focus stack instead — the stricter CoC makes H roughly 33% farther.