Focus Stacking Distance Calculator
Plan ideal focus distances covering a near-to-far range with an explicit depth-of-field model and overlap convention.
YOUR CALCULATION
Result
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Calculation steps
Work through one step at a time or reveal the complete calculation. The steps use your current inputs.
How to calculate
Invert the near depth-of-field boundary to find each focus distance, then advance by the prior finite coverage interval less the requested overlap.
H₀=f²/(N c); focus=s_near(H₀−f)/(H₀−s_near)
Worked example
For a 50 mm lens at f/8, circle of confusion 0.03 mm and coverage from 1 m to 2 m, the table lists the ideal focus planes needed with 20% overlap of each previous depth interval.
Assumptions and input details
Uses the linked ideal thin-lens depth-of-field model. Near distance must exceed ten focal lengths and stay below f²/(N c); at most 500 planes are supported. Circle of confusion is an entered acceptance criterion. Real-lens calibration, focus breathing, diffraction, pupil magnification and image-merging quality are excluded. No camera is operated or image stack produced.
References: PhotoPills: depth-of-field model and assumptions
Unit definitions
Unit selection is independent of language. Each selector contains only units for its physical quantity. Calculations use defined base units internally.
Choose from 23 length definitions, including explicitly labelled regional measures. Area conversions square the length factor; geometric volumes cube it.
Regional measures are not interchangeable merely because their names look similar. This is a documented selection, not a claim to include every historical unit.
NIST measurement tables · Japanese traditional units · Mainland China and Hong Kong unit distinctions
Using this calculator
Can I enter my own problem?
Yes. Replace the example values with your own inputs. The result, calculation steps, tables and applicable diagrams update from those inputs. Blank or invalid values clear the result; example values are never silently substituted for missing inputs.
Are the results exact?
Results use floating-point arithmetic and displayed rounding. Read the formula, assumptions and any stated data precision before interpreting the result.
Is my input uploaded?
The calculation runs in your browser. No account, file upload or external AI service is required. Inputs are not saved between page reloads.
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