Electrical and Engineering
Camera Field of View Calculator
Camera Field of View Calculator calculate horizontal and vertical camera field of view and scene coverage from sensor size, focal length, and subject distance.
Electrical and Engineering
Camera Field of View Calculator
Calculate horizontal and vertical camera field of view and scene coverage from sensor size, focal length, and subject distance.
Formula
Angular FOV = 2 atan(sensor dimension / (2 x focal length)).
About the Camera Field of View Calculator
Calculate horizontal and vertical camera field of view and scene coverage from sensor size, focal length, and subject distance. This tool keeps the requested measurements separate and applies the named method instead of substituting an unrelated general estimate.
How the Camera Field of View Calculator Works
Sensor width and height independently determine angular coverage; subject distance projects each angle into scene width and height.
Formula
Angular FOV = 2 atan(sensor dimension / (2 x focal length)).
The calculation runs in your browser. Values are validated for required ranges, compatible units, and method-specific restrictions before results are displayed.
Required Inputs
- Sensor width (required) - enter in mm.
- Sensor height (required) - enter in mm.
- Focal length (required) - enter in mm.
- Subject distance (required) - enter in m.
Results Reported
The result panel reports the final answer and the intermediate quantities needed to check the calculation:
- Horizontal field of view (deg)
- Vertical field of view (deg)
- Scene width at distance (m)
- Scene height at distance (m)
- Diagonal field of view (deg)
Camera Field of View Calculator Example
Select Example Data in the calculator to load this reproducible input set:
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Sensor width | 36 mm |
| Sensor height | 24 mm |
| Focal length | 50 mm |
| Subject distance | 10 m |
How to Use the Calculator
- Confirm that the calculator title and formula match the quantity you need.
- Enter every required value using the unit shown with its field.
- Select Example Data to inspect a valid input set, or enter your own values and select Calculate.
- Review all reported values and the displayed formula before using the answer.
- Use Copy Result or Download CSV when you need a reusable record.
Accuracy and Limitations
The thin-lens rectilinear model ignores focus breathing, distortion, crop modes, lens markings, and nodal-point offsets. Use actual sensor dimensions.
Keep units consistent, use measurements that represent the actual situation, retain full precision during the calculation, and round only the final answer. Professional decisions may require current official rules, field measurements, laboratory methods, or specialist review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Camera Field of View Calculator calculate?
Calculate horizontal and vertical camera field of view and scene coverage from sensor size, focal length, and subject distance.
Which formula does the Camera Field of View Calculator use?
Angular FOV = 2 atan(sensor dimension / (2 x focal length)). Sensor width and height independently determine angular coverage; subject distance projects each angle into scene width and height.
How should I use the Camera Field of View Calculator result?
The thin-lens rectilinear model ignores focus breathing, distortion, crop modes, lens markings, and nodal-point offsets. Use actual sensor dimensions.