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Calculators / Technology / Camera horizontal field of view
Camera horizontal field of view calculator
Estimate horizontal view angle and scene width for a rectilinear camera lens.
On this page
Horizontal field of view39.6degrees
Approximate scene width3.6m
Calculator controls
How to calculate
Estimate horizontal view angle and scene width for a rectilinear camera lens.
Horizontal field of view =
2*atan(sensor/(2*focal))*180/pi degreesApproximate scene width =
distance*sensor/focal mWorked example
- Sensor width (mm): 36
- Focal length (mm): 50
- Subject distance (m): 5
- Horizontal field of view: 39.6 degrees
- Approximate scene width: 3.6 m
Assumptions and limits
Uses a simple pinhole model with the actual active sensor width. Lens distortion, focus breathing, close-focus extensions and digital crops are excluded.
Results are rounded for display; calculations use unrounded values. Read our calculation methodology.
Understanding the result
Estimate horizontal view angle and scene width for a rectilinear camera lens. Keep the sensor width fixed and increase focal length to narrow the view. Scene width scales directly with subject distance.
When this tool is useful
Keep the sensor width fixed and increase focal length to narrow the view. Scene width scales directly with subject distance.
Understanding your inputs
| Input | Example |
|---|---|
Sensor width (mm) sensor | 36 |
Focal length (mm) focal | 50 |
Subject distance (m) distance | 5 |
Frequently asked questions
What assumptions should I check?
Uses a simple pinhole model with the actual active sensor width. Lens distortion, focus breathing, close-focus extensions and digital crops are excluded.
How can I check the result?
Start with the labelled example. Keep units consistent, calculate without intermediate rounding and change one input at a time. The diagram explains the model; the result table supplies the numerical answer.