Pixel Density Calculator is a free online tool for CCTV design.

Pixel Density

Pixel Density is the ratio of the horizontal camera resolution in pixels to the width of the field of vision in meters or feet. Calculation of pixel density is required to select a security camera for such tasks as personal identification, recognition, observation, detection, and monitoring.

Criteria for solving video surveillance tasks
Here are some typical operator’s task for video surveillance systems:

• Detection. Detection is the selection of a control object from the background or the separate perception of two control objects located at a distance from each other, commensurate with their sizes:
• general observation of the situation;
• verification of an alarm from the security alarm system;
• detection of all moving people in a certain direction;
• Recognition. Recognition is the separate perception of two control objects located next to each other or the selection of details of the control object.
• control the presence of strangers;
• monitoring the work of employees;
• control over the approach of unauthorized persons to the restricted area or other people’s property;
• Identification. Identification is the selection and classification of the control object’s essential features or establishing the correspondence of the image of the control object stored in the database.
• obtaining a clear image of the face of any person who approaches the area, allowing you to subsequently recognize a previously unknown person;
• identifying the recorded image with the one stored in the database;
• determination of the car number.

The main criteria for solving the target tasks of observation:

• minimum sufficient pixel density (the number of image pixels per meter or feet of visible area)
• the maximum permissible angle of inclination of the surveillance camera to the horizontal plane
• the maximum permissible angle to the direction of movement of the observation target

The following documents offer a guide to pixel density values for various surveillance purposes:

• EN 62676-4: 2015 Video surveillance systems for use in security applications. Application guidelines
• Australian standard AS 4806.2-2006 Closed-circuit television (CCTV), Part 2: Application guidelines

Pixel Density Calculator

Launch Pixel Density Calculator

How to use a pixel density calculator?

1. Set the field of view:
• target distance
• camera installation height
• observation target height
• width of the observation area in the area of the observation target



2. Set the main camera parameters:
• sensor format
• camera resolution
• focal length



3. Check the criteria for operator’s task:
• pixel density is shown in the upper right window. Target resolution is in PPM (pixels per meter) or PPF (pixels per foot) at the target distance.
• pixel density distribution on the top view is shown graphically by colored areas: Red – identification 250 PPM/76 PPF or higher, Yellow: recognition 125 PPM / 38 PPF, Green: observation 62 PPM/19 PPF, Light green: Detection 25 PPM/8 PPF, Blue: monitoring 12 PPM/4 PPF.
• the angle of tilt of the camera to the horizon
• the dead zone or blind spot under the camera



If necessary, return to steps 2 (change the camera resolution or focal length) or 1 (choose a different location for the camera)

4. Select a camera model:
• choose a manufacturer
• select a model with parameters close to the design parameters



5. Agree on a technical solution:
• view areas in two planes (top, side)
• 3D view area
• “Camera view”

Download free trial version | How to install Video Surveillance cameras in Retail | Identification in CCTV | Top Security Camera Brands