Tool

Camera coverage calculator

How many pixels land on a person at a given distance decides whether a camera can detect, recognize or identify them. Enter the camera's resolution and horizontal field of view, or a lens and sensor, and the distance to the target.

CSLB #472017 · Licensed C-7 contractor Close view of a security camera lens

Calculator

Field of view

From the camera datasheet. Wide-angle domes are often 90 to 110 degrees; varifocal bullets 30 to 100 degrees.

A corridor, a fence line, a parking row. Set it to 0 if you are only checking one camera.

Pixel density at target

0 px/ft

Distance chart for the identify, recognize, observe and detect thresholds
Each bar ends at the distance where that level of detail is lost for this resolution and field of view. The dashed line marks the target distance you entered.
Scene width at target
Cameras to cover that width
Identify (250 px/m) out to
Recognize (125 px/m) out to
Observe (62.5 px/m) out to
Detect (25 px/m) out to
At your distance you get

Thresholds are the DORI criteria from IEC 62676-4 (detect, observe, recognize, identify), the same values manufacturers such as Axis publish. They assume a frontal, well-lit view. Low light, backlighting, compression and motion blur all reduce real-world performance, and lens distortion at the edge of wide-angle views reduces effective density. The camera count assumes no overlap; add 10 to 15 percent overlap on a real layout. Use this to size and place cameras, then confirm on a site walk.

How we design camera coverage
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