Maker Label Studio
Digital, Data & AI

CCTV Field of View & Lens Calculator

Plan camera lens coverage by calculating horizontal and vertical field of view, scene width and height at distance, and pixel-density bands for CCTV layouts.

Camera Inputs

Choose a sensor preset or enter the sensor dimensions, then add lens, distance, and resolution values.

Presets are common planning dimensions; edit the width and height fields for the exact camera datasheet.

Millimeters used in the horizontal FOV formula.

Millimeters used in the vertical FOV formula.

Lens focal length in millimeters.

Distance from camera to target plane.

Pixels across the image width.

Pixels across the image height.

Cited category: Digital, Data & AI. Formula: HFOV angle = 2 x atan(sensor width / (2 x focal length)); width at distance = 2 x distance x tan(angle / 2); PPF = horizontal resolution / FOV width in feet.

Results

Values update as inputs change. Pixel-density bands use DORI-style planning references for detect, recognize, and identify coverage.

Sensor —
Lens —
Distance —
Resolution —
FOV angles
—
Horizontal and vertical angle of view.
Scene size at distance
—
Width and height at the target plane.
Horizontal pixel density
—
Calculated as horizontal resolution divided by FOV width.
Vertical reference density
—
Calculated as vertical resolution divided by FOV height.
Planning band
— —
Detect: 25 px/m (7.6 px/ft), Recognize: 125 px/m (38.1 px/ft), Identify: 250 px/m (76.2 px/ft).

Calculation Self-Tests

Self-tests have not been run.

About the CCTV Field of View & Lens Calculator

Security integrators, facility managers, and IT teams use a CCTV field of view calculator to estimate scene width, lens angle, and pixels per foot before buying or placing cameras. Enter sensor size, focal length, distance, and resolution to compare coverage against detection or identification goals. The result helps avoid cameras that see the area but lack usable detail.

How it works

  1. Select the sensor size or enter the active sensor dimensions.
  2. Enter the lens focal length and camera-to-target distance.
  3. Add the camera resolution to calculate pixel density across the scene.
  4. Compare the field of view and pixels per foot with the surveillance task.
  5. Adjust lens, distance, or resolution until the target area is covered.

Frequently asked questions

How do focal length and sensor size affect CCTV field of view?

A shorter focal length gives a wider view, while a longer focal length narrows the view and increases detail on a smaller area. A larger active sensor also widens the view when focal length and distance stay the same.

What does pixels per foot mean in a camera plan?

Pixels per foot is the horizontal pixel count divided by the scene width at the target distance. It is a practical way to judge whether video is likely to support detection, recognition, or identification.

Can a wide-angle camera identify faces across a parking lot?

Usually not unless the resolution and target distance still provide enough pixel density on the face. Wide coverage often trades away detail, so long-distance identification normally needs a narrower lens or a closer camera.

Should I use the advertised sensor format or exact sensor dimensions?

Exact active sensor dimensions are better. Marketing formats such as one-third inch are legacy labels and may not match the precise imaging area used in the field-of-view math.

Does the calculator account for lens distortion?

Basic field-of-view calculations assume a rectilinear lens and do not fully correct fisheye or strong barrel distortion. For panoramic or fisheye cameras, use manufacturer tools and on-site verification.

References