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    Drone GSD & photo-plan calculator

    Compute the ground sample distance (GSD), the camera footprint and the altitude for a target GSD, and plan photo and flight-line counts — all live, in your browser.

    Drone GSD & photo-plan calculator

    Photo plan

    Enter the flight altitude and the survey-area dimensions to compute the photo and flight-line counts.

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    Leave your email and our technical office will reach out for certified conversion and geodetic-adjustment support. The tool stays free, no sign-up.

    FAQ

    How is ground sample distance (GSD) calculated?
    GSD (the ground size of one pixel) = (sensor width in mm × altitude in m × 100) ÷ (focal length in mm × image width in px), giving centimetres per pixel. So flying higher increases the GSD (coarser detail) and a longer focal length decreases it (finer detail).
    Is the GSD the same as the final map accuracy?
    No. GSD only describes the pixel size on the ground; the delivered map or model accuracy also depends on ground control points (GCPs), RTK/PPK quality, overlap, lens calibration and capture conditions, and the achievable horizontal accuracy is often two to three times the GSD. For certified, documented accuracy, talk to our survey team.
    What overlap should I choose?
    Common values are 75% front and 65% side as a practical minimum, and 80%/70% for difficult terrain, vegetation or uniform surfaces. The tool starts at 80%/65% and you can change it; higher overlap improves matching but increases the photo count, flight time and processing load.
    Where do the camera presets come from?
    The sensor and lens numbers in the presets are taken from the manufacturers’ public datasheets. Your exact unit or lens revision may differ slightly, so verify your camera’s figures and use the “Custom” option to enter them by hand when needed.
    Is the altitude the tool computes legal to fly?
    The tool only does the survey math and is not legal advice. Maximum flight heights and drone-operation permits vary by country and region, and there may be no-fly zones or permit requirements. Check your national civil-aviation rules and obtain the required permissions before you fly.

    You may also need: Land area calculator · Distance & bearing calculator · Scale factor & convergence · Arab-world coordinate converter · Area calculator · Request an aerial survey