ND Filter Calculator

Meter without the filter, then select your ND to get the adjusted exposure

Scenario Preset Quick-fill a common setup

Base Shutter Speed Without ND filter

ND Filter 1

ND Filter 2 Stack a second filter

Total: 6 stops

Adjusted Exposure

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Freeze Silk Smooth Streaks Erase

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Base —

Filter —

Exact —

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ND Filter Reference

Click any row to apply it to the calculator

Filter	Stops	Density	Light	1/125s →	1/30s →	1s →
ND2	1	0.3	50%	1/60s	1/15s	2s
ND4	2	0.6	25%	1/30s	1/8s	4s
ND8	3	0.9	12.5%	1/15s	1/4s	8s
ND64	6	1.8	1.6%	1/2s	2s	1m 4s
ND256	8	2.4	0.4%	2s	8.5s	4m 16s
ND1000	10	3.0	0.1%	8s	34s	17m 4s
ND4000	12	3.6	0.02%	33s	2m 16s	1h 8m
ND32000	15	4.5	0.003%	4m 22s	18m	9h 6m

Stacking: Add stop values. ND8 (3) + ND64 (6) = 9 stops. Use Filter 2 above to calculate stacked exposures.

Scenario Guide

Click any card to load it into the calculator

Silky Waterfalls Silk

Exposure 0.5 – 2s Filter ND8 – ND64 Aperture f/8 – f/11

Start at 0.5s and increase — too long looks artificial

Rushing Rivers Silk

Exposure 1 – 4s Filter ND64 Aperture f/8 – f/11

Keep some texture; full blur removes all energy

Glass Water Smooth

Exposure 15s – 2m Filter ND256 – ND1000 Aperture f/8 – f/11

30s is a reliable starting point for mirror-flat ocean

Ocean Foam Silk

Exposure 2 – 5s Filter ND16 – ND64 Aperture f/11

Receding waves create best patterns — time the backwash

Streaking Clouds Streaks

Exposure 30s – 4m Filter ND1000 – ND4000 Aperture f/8 – f/16

Needs visible cloud movement; overcast blankets won't streak

Smooth Minimal Sky Erase

Exposure 3m – 10m Filter ND4000 – ND32000 Aperture f/8 – f/11

Ultra-long exposures flatten clouds into gradients

Ghost Crowds Streaks

Exposure 10 – 30s Filter ND256 – ND1000 Aperture f/11 – f/16

Busy foot traffic works best; stationary people stay sharp

Erase People Erase

Exposure 2m – 5m Filter ND1000 – ND32000 Aperture f/8 – f/11

Need 2+ minutes to fully remove; anyone stopping will ghost

Light Trails Smooth

Exposure 10 – 30s Filter None – ND8 Aperture f/8 – f/16

Shoot at dusk; multiple traffic light cycles = more trails

Ferris Wheels Smooth

Exposure 15 – 30s Filter None – ND4 Aperture f/11 – f/16

Full rotation = complete circle; half rotation = partial arc

Fog & Mist Silk

Exposure 1 – 8s Filter ND8 – ND64 Aperture f/8 – f/11

Slight motion adds atmosphere; overexpose +1 stop for mood

Daytime Architecture Erase

Exposure 30s – 5m Filter ND1000+ Aperture f/8 – f/11

Stack filters in bright sun; removes all pedestrians and cars

Long Exposure Calculator