Home / Photography / Pixel Pitch and Diffraction Calculator
Pixel Pitch and Diffraction Calculator
Pixel size and the aperture where diffraction starts to soften images.
mm
px
nm
f/
How it works
Pixel pitch = sensor width ÷ pixel count. The Airy disk diameter is 2.44 × wavelength × f-number. Once it spans more than about two pixels, extra stopping down visibly softens the image. Green light at 550 nm is the standard reference. Smaller pixels reach the diffraction limit at wider apertures, so a 60 MP sensor softens sooner than a 24 MP one. Example: A 36 mm wide sensor with 6000 px has a 6 µm pitch, and diffraction becomes noticeable beyond roughly f/8.9.
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.