CCTV Lens & Field-of-View Calculator
A wide lens sees more but reads less. Enter the lens, sensor, resolution and distance to get the field-of-view angle, the scene width, and the DORI distances — how far you can still detect, observe, recognise and identify a person. Planning figures; real lenses vary. Runs in your browser.
- Identify (250 px/m — read a face or number plate)8.2 m
- Recognise (125 px/m — recognise a known person)16.4 m
- Observe (62 px/m — see clothing & behaviour)33.0 m
- Detect (25 px/m — spot that someone is there)81.9 m
Planning estimate only — sensor widths and lens angles vary by model, and light, motion and compression all affect real-world identification. Use it to compare lenses, then confirm with a site test.
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SecurityRelated Tools — You may also find these useful
CCTV Recognition-Distance Calculator
How far a camera can still recognise a known person (DORI 125 px/m), from resolution, lens and sensor.
Recognise DistanceCCTV Detection-Distance Calculator
How far a camera can still detect that someone is present (DORI 25 px/m), with observe, recognise and identify for context.
Detect DistanceCCTV Identification-Distance Calculator
How far a camera can still identify a face or number plate (DORI 250 px/m), from resolution, lens and sensor.
Identify Distance