Hyperfocal Distance Calculator
Find the hyperfocal distance for your camera, focal length and aperture so depth of field reaches infinity.
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Hyperfocal distance explained
Hyperfocal distance is the closest focus distance at which depth of field extends all the way to infinity. Focus there and everything from about half that distance to infinity falls inside the acceptable sharpness zone for your chosen circle of confusion.
Landscape photographers use hyperfocal focusing when they want both a near foreground and a distant horizon sharp. It is a tool, not a law—sometimes focusing on a hero subject closer than H looks better even if infinity softens slightly.
Formula
FAQ
Should every landscape use hyperfocal?
No. If the story is a rock two meters away, focus on the rock. Use hyperfocal when near-to-far sharpness matters more than perfect focus on one plane.
Field technique for hyperfocal
After reading H, focus on a point approximately that far away—use a laser rangefinder, a known landmark, or the distance scale on a manual lens. Avoid focusing on the horizon and stopping down “just in case,” which can push diffraction without guaranteeing foreground sharpness. Re-check H when you change focal length or aperture; a move from 24 mm f/8 to 35 mm f/8 shifts H substantially.