Free security planning tool
Estimate field of view, scene width, and pixel density at a target distance. Results update immediately and remain in your browser.
Estimated pixel density
71.5 pixels/foot
235 pixels/meter · Recognition-oriented
Horizontal field of view
48.2°
Approximate scene width
53.7 ft
16.4 m
Target width in image
143 pixels
Planning category
Recognition-oriented
Density bands are planning shorthand—from general awareness through detection, observation, recognition, and identification-oriented views. They do not guarantee an outcome. Lighting, shutter speed, compression, camera quality, movement, angle, weather, and mounting height all affect usable detail.
Need a complete plan?
These calculations cover one part of a security deployment. Get a broader assessment of cameras, connectivity, power, coverage, monitoring, and mobile surveillance requirements.
A wider sensor or shorter lens generally sees more scene. A longer lens narrows the view and concentrates available pixels over a smaller area.
The calculator uses sensor width and focal length to estimate horizontal angle, then projects scene width at the target distance.
Pixels per foot or meter helps compare layouts, but image detail is not determined by density alone. Compression, focus, motion blur, lighting, angle, and weather affect what operators can actually use.
Detection, observation, recognition, and identification language is useful for design conversations. A category cannot guarantee that a person or vehicle will be identifiable in every condition.
Final commissioning should inspect real day and night images, target movement, mounting vibration, backlight, IR behavior, and recorder settings at the actual site.
Frequently asked questions
For the same sensor, a shorter focal length gives a wider view. Sensor dimensions also affect the field of view.
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