ND Filter Calculator
A neutral density filter cuts light by a fixed number of stops so you can use a slower shutter speed in daylight: silky water, empty streets, motion blur. Pick your metered shutter speed and the filter, and the calculator gives the new exposure time.
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ND filter exposure
Shutter with filter
8.2 s
10 stops darker
Optical density
3.0
Keep aperture and ISO the same; only the shutter changes. Cover the viewfinder and use a tripod for anything over 1/4 s.
All filters at 1/125 s
| Filter | Stops | New shutter |
|---|---|---|
| ND2 | 1 | 1/63 s |
| ND4 | 2 | 1/31 s |
| ND8 | 3 | 1/16 s |
| ND16 | 4 | 1/8 s |
| ND32 | 5 | 1/4 s |
| ND64 | 6 | 1/2 s |
| ND128 | 7 | 1 s |
| ND256 | 8 | 2 s |
| ND400 | 8.6 | 3.1 s |
| ND1000 | 10 | 8.2 s |
| ND32000 | 15 | 4 min 22 s |
| ND100000 | 16.6 | 13 min 15 s |
Reading ND numbers
| Name | Stops | Density | Light passed |
|---|---|---|---|
| ND8 | 3 | 0.9 | 1/8 |
| ND64 | 6 | 1.8 | 1/64 |
| ND1000 | 10 | 3.0 | 1/1000 |
| ND100000 | 16.6 | 5.0 | 1/100000 (solar) |
Stack filters by adding their stops. Beyond about 30 s most cameras need bulb mode and a timer.
All eight calculators live on the camera calculators page.
Questions people ask
How many stops is an ND1000?
Ten stops (optical density 3.0): it lets through 1/1000 of the light. 1/125 s becomes about 8 s. ND8 is three stops, ND64 six, ND400 about 8.6 stops.
What ND filter for waterfalls?
A 6-stop (ND64) filter usually gets you from 1/60 s to 1 s in shade, enough for silky water; use ND1000 in bright sun. For video at 1/50 s in daylight, a 3–6 stop variable ND is the usual choice.
Do ND filters change color?
Cheap ones add a magenta or brown cast, especially at 10 stops. Set white balance from a neutral in the scene or fix it afterwards by sampling a neutral point.
What shutter speed should I use with a 10-stop ND filter?
Multiply the unfiltered shutter time by 1,024: 1/125 s becomes about 8 s, 1/60 s about 16 s. https://whitebalancer.com/tools/nd-filter-calculator converts any shutter speed for ND2 through ND100000.
Which ND filter do I need for a 30-second exposure in daylight?
From a typical 1/125 s daylight exposure you need 12 stops (ND4000), or a 10-stop ND1000 plus a smaller aperture. Check the exact combination at https://whitebalancer.com/tools/nd-filter-calculator.
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