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Photography Calculators

Exposure Value Calculator

Verified formula Updated Jun 2026 Private — runs on your device

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seconds
Verified formula Private

Exposure value (EV)

12.97

For general information only — not financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Verify before you rely on it.

How to use the Exposure Value Calculator

The Exposure Value Calculator works out your exposure value (ev) in an instant. Enter aperture (f-number) and shutter speed and the result updates as you type — it is free, needs no sign-up, and runs entirely in your browser so your figures stay private.

  1. Enter the aperture (f-number).
  2. Enter the shutter speed.
  3. Read off your exposure value (ev) — the calculator updates automatically, with no button to press.

Worked example

For example, with aperture (f-number) of 8 and shutter speed of 0.008 seconds, the exposure value (ev) is 12.97.

Inputs used
Aperture (f-number) 8
Shutter speed 0.008 seconds
Results
Exposure value (EV) 12.97

Results are estimates for educational use, not professional advice.

Frequently asked questions

Use EV = log₂(aperture² ÷ shutter speed). At f/8 and 1/125 s (0.008), the EV is about 12.97.

EV is a single number describing a combination of aperture and shutter speed that gives the same exposure. Each EV step doubles or halves the light.

It lets you swap aperture and shutter while keeping exposure constant, and helps match settings to scene brightness.

Classic EV assumes a base ISO of 100. Higher ISO effectively shifts the exposure, which is handled separately from EV.

Enter the aperture (f-number). Enter the shutter speed. Read off your exposure value (ev) — the calculator updates automatically, with no button to press.

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