Cameras, telescopes, and eyeglasses all rely on the thin lens equation. Solve for image distance, object distance, focal length, or magnification — enter three, get the fourth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the thin lens equation?
1/f = 1/do + 1/di, where f is the focal length, do is the object distance from the lens, and di is the image distance from the lens.
How is magnification calculated for a thin lens?
Magnification is calculated as m = -di/do, where a negative value indicates an inverted image and a positive value indicates an upright image.
Is this calculator complete?
This tool is currently a placeholder while we build out its full interactive calculator and content. A complete version with charts, reference tables, and detailed explanations is coming soon.
