Enter the horizontal field of view and the aspect ratio into the calculator to determine the vertical FOV.

Vertical FOV Formula

The following formula is used to calculate a vertical FOV. 

VFOV = 2 * atan(tan(h/2)*AR)
  • Where VFOV is the vertical field of view
  • h is the horizontal field of view
  • AR is the aspect ratio (i.e. 16:9 = 16/9 = 1.7777)

To calculate the vertical field of view first take the tan of the horizontal field of view divided by two, multiply the result by the aspect ratio, take the arctan of that result, and then multiply by 2.

What is a vertical field of view?

Definition:

A vertical field of view is a measure of the total observable area a person or object can see via an optical device. It’s measured in terms of degrees of total visible angle.

How to calculate vertical field of view?

Example Problem:

First, determine the horizontal field of view. In this example, the horizontal FOV is 100 degrees.

Next, determine the aspect ratio. For this example problem, the aspect ratio is 16: 9 which is equal to 16/9 = 1.77777.

Finally, calculate the vertical FOV using the formula above:

VFOV = 2 * atan(tan(h/2)*AR)

VFOV = 2 * atan(tan(100/2)*1.777)

VFOV = 129.43 degrees