ND Filter Calculator

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

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 →
ND210.350%1/60s1/15s2s
ND420.625%1/30s1/8s4s
ND830.912.5%1/15s1/4s8s
ND6461.81.6%1/2s2s1m 4s
ND25682.40.4%2s8.5s4m 16s
ND1000103.00.1%8s34s17m 4s
ND4000123.60.02%33s2m 16s1h 8m
ND32000154.50.003%4m 22s18m9h 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