Drone Ground Sampling Distance Calculator
Ground resolution and image footprint for drone mapping.
How it works
GSD (cm/px) = altitude × sensor width × 100 ÷ (focal length × image width). Lower is sharper. The footprint is the GSD multiplied by the image size in pixels. Mapping surveys also need front and side overlap, often 70–80%, so the number of photos is larger than the plain area divided by the footprint. Use the real focal length from the camera specs, not the 35 mm equivalent. Example: At 100 m with the default 1-inch sensor, each pixel covers 2.74 cm, and one photo covers about 150 × 100 m.
FAQ
Is this calculator free?
Yes. No signup is needed and nothing you enter is stored.
Is the result exact?
Results are rounded for display. For financial, medical, or legal decisions, confirm with a professional.
Do my numbers leave my device?
No. The calculation runs in your browser.