Camera Field of View Calculator
Enter your lens focal length, sensor size, and subject distance to instantly get the horizontal, vertical, and diagonal angle of view (AOV) and field of view (FOV). Choose a sensor preset or enter custom dimensions. Switch between metres and feet. Results update as you type.
What is field of view (FOV) and angle of view (AOV)?
Angle of view (AOV) is the angular extent of the scene a camera and lens combination can capture, measured in degrees. It depends only on the sensor size and focal length, not on how far you are from the subject. Field of view (FOV) is the physical size of that scene at a given distance - the width, height, or diagonal of the area captured in metres or feet. As you move the camera closer or farther from the subject, the FOV changes proportionally; the AOV stays constant. Knowing both lets you plan a shoot precisely: AOV tells you what lens to carry, FOV tells you how much of a room, a person, or a landscape will actually fit in the frame.
How to use this calculator
Select your camera sensor from the dropdown (the width and height fields fill automatically), or choose "Custom dimensions" and type in your sensor measurements. Enter your lens focal length in millimetres and the distance to your subject. The horizontal, vertical, and diagonal AOV and FOV update instantly in your chosen units. The chart shows how the FOV changes across the standard focal length range so you can quickly compare lens choices at the same distance. The crop-factor output tells you how your sensor compares to full-frame 35mm, and the 35mm equivalent focal length helps when comparing lenses across different camera systems.
The field of view formula
For one sensor dimension (width, height, or diagonal) the angle of view is: AOV = 2 x arctan(sensor_size / (2 x focal_length)). To find the physical field of view at a given distance: FOV = 2 x tan(AOV / 2) x distance. Both formulas assume a rectilinear (non-fisheye) lens that projects straight lines as straight. Fisheye lenses use a different projection model (equidistant, equisolid, or stereographic) and will show a wider AOV than the formula predicts. For everyday photography and video work the rectilinear formula is accurate for focal lengths of about 14 mm and longer.
Crop factor and 35mm equivalent focal length
Most modern camera sensors are smaller than the classic 35mm film frame (36 x 24 mm). The crop factor is the ratio of the full-frame sensor diagonal (43.27 mm) to your sensor diagonal. A sensor with a 2x crop factor (Micro Four Thirds) produces the same angle of view as a lens twice as long on a full-frame body. Multiplying your actual focal length by the crop factor gives the 35mm equivalent, which is how lens focal lengths are often quoted in camera marketing materials. A 25 mm lens on Micro Four Thirds gives a 50 mm equivalent view - the classic "standard" field of view.
Common focal lengths and their typical field of view (full-frame, 5 m / 16 ft)
| Focal length | Category | H-AOV (deg) | H-FOV at 5 m | H-FOV at 16 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 mm | Ultra-wide | 104.3 | 12.9 m | 42.1 ft |
| 24 mm | Wide angle | 73.7 | 6.5 m | 21.4 ft |
| 35 mm | Wide-normal | 54.4 | 4.4 m | 14.5 ft |
| 50 mm | Standard | 39.6 | 3.0 m | 9.9 ft |
| 85 mm | Portrait | 23.9 | 1.7 m | 5.7 ft |
| 135 mm | Short tele | 15.2 | 1.1 m | 3.6 ft |
| 200 mm | Telephoto | 10.3 | 0.7 m | 2.4 ft |
| 300 mm | Telephoto | 6.9 | 0.5 m | 1.6 ft |
Horizontal AOV and approximate scene width at 5 m for a full-frame 35mm sensor (36 x 24 mm). All values are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between angle of view and field of view?
Angle of view (AOV) is measured in degrees and describes the angular cone of light a lens captures on the sensor. It is a fixed property of a lens-sensor combination. Field of view (FOV) is the physical size of the scene that fits in the frame at a specific distance, measured in metres or feet. Double the distance and the FOV doubles; the AOV does not change.
Why are there horizontal, vertical, and diagonal values?
Because image sensors are rectangular, not square, the angle or field of view differs along each axis. Horizontal covers the wider side of the frame, vertical the taller side, and diagonal is the corner-to-corner measurement. Lens manufacturers most often quote the diagonal AOV, but horizontal is more useful for planning how wide a scene you can cover.
How does focal length affect field of view?
Shorter focal lengths produce wider angles of view and larger fields of view at the same distance. A 14 mm ultra-wide lens can capture over 100 degrees horizontally on a full-frame sensor, while a 300 mm telephoto narrows that to about 7 degrees. The relationship is not linear - halving the focal length more than doubles the AOV at the wide end.
What crop factor does an APS-C sensor have?
APS-C sensors from Canon (22.3 x 14.9 mm) have a crop factor of approximately 1.6x; those from Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm (23.5 x 15.6 mm) have a crop factor of approximately 1.5x. A 35 mm lens on an APS-C Nikon body gives roughly the same field of view as a 52 mm lens on full frame.
Can I use this calculator for security cameras?
Yes. Select or enter your camera sensor size, enter the lens focal length (often printed on the lens or in the camera spec sheet), and set the distance to the area you want to cover. The horizontal and vertical FOV values tell you exactly how wide and tall the visible area will be at that distance, which helps with camera placement and spacing decisions.
How do I find my sensor size?
Check your camera manufacturer spec sheet or the camera body markings. Common descriptors include "Full Frame", "APS-C", "Micro Four Thirds" (MFT), "1-inch", and fractional-inch sizes like "1/2.3"" for compact cameras and smartphones. This calculator includes presets for all of these. If you know the exact millimetre dimensions from the spec sheet, choose "Custom dimensions" and type them in.