Exposure
Calculate exposure value (EV) for any camera settings. Enter aperture f-stop, shutter speed, and ISO to get the EV, lighting condition match, and comparison charts for photography.
About This Calculator
The Exposure Value (EV) Calculator helps photographers determine the correct exposure settings for any lighting condition. By entering your aperture, shutter speed, and ISO sensitivity, the calculator computes the exposure value (EV) and tells you what lighting condition those settings match — from deep star field photography at EV -7 to bright sunny days at EV 17.
The calculation uses the standard EV formula: EV = log₂(100 × aperture² / (ISO × shutter speed)). This formula is universal across all camera systems and formats, from DSLRs and mirrorless cameras to film cameras and smartphones with manual controls. The result is rounded to the nearest EV for reference against common lighting condition tables.
How Exposure Value Works
Exposure value represents the combined effect of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO on image brightness. A change of 1 EV (one stop) doubles or halves the exposure. For example, going from EV 14 (rainbows, hazy sun) to EV 15 (bright sun, clear sky) means the scene is twice as bright. Understanding EV helps you quickly adapt your camera settings when lighting conditions change.
Regional Notes
Worldwide: The EV standard is universal across all camera manufacturers and regions. Aperture, shutter speed, and ISO scales are internationally standardized (ISO 2720 and ISO 12232). This calculator works identically for photographers in India, the US, the UK, and everywhere else.
Photographers use this tool when planning shoots, comparing equivalent exposure settings, learning manual mode, and understanding how the exposure triangle works together to create properly exposed images.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is exposure value (EV) in photography?
Exposure value (EV) is a number that represents a combination of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO sensitivity that produces the same exposure. A higher EV indicates a brighter scene, while a lower EV indicates a darker scene. EV 0 corresponds to an aperture of f/1.0 at 1 second exposure with ISO 100.
How do you calculate exposure value?
Exposure value is calculated using the formula: EV = log₂(100 × aperture² / (ISO × shutter speed)). Aperture is the f-number, shutter speed is in seconds, and ISO is the sensitivity. The result tells you whether your camera settings match your lighting conditions.
What is considered a good exposure value?
A good exposure value depends on your lighting conditions. EV 15–17 is typical for bright sunlight, EV 12–14 for cloudy or hazy conditions, EV 7–10 for indoor or twilight scenes, and EV -3 to -7 for night photography or astrophotography. The goal is to match your camera settings to the scene's lighting.
How do aperture, shutter speed, and ISO affect exposure value?
A wider aperture (lower f-number) increases EV by letting in more light. A slower shutter speed increases EV by exposing the sensor longer. A higher ISO increases EV by making the sensor more sensitive to light. Changing any one setting by one stop doubles or halves the exposure.
Can I use this calculator for any camera?
Yes, this exposure value calculator works for any camera system — DSLR, mirrorless, film, or smartphone with manual controls. The formula is universal across all camera brands and formats.
What is the exposure triangle?
The exposure triangle is the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. These three settings work together to determine the total exposure of your photo. Adjusting one requires compensating with another to maintain the same EV, which is the foundation of manual photography exposure control.
What is the difference between EV and stops?
One stop is equivalent to a change of 1 EV. Increasing EV by 1 doubles the exposure, and decreasing EV by 1 halves the exposure. Photographers use stops to describe adjustments to any of the three exposure settings — doubling shutter speed, halving ISO, or opening aperture by one stop all change exposure by one stop.