What is the best focal length for portraits?
For portraits, 85 mm on full frame is the classic: flattering faces and a simple background. On APS-C, 56 mm frames about the same, and on Micro Four Thirds, 42.5 mm.
Recommended focal lengths by sensor size
Each row starts with a full-frame focal length, followed by the lens that frames about the same on each smaller sensor. Where a common lens is close, it's named, with what it frames like on full frame if that differs.
| Full frame 1x | Best for | APS-C 1.5x | Canon APS-C 1.6x | Micro Four Thirds 2x |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85 mm | The classic: head and shoulders to half body | 56 mm | 56 mm frames like 90 mm | 42.5 mm |
| 50 mm | Half body to full body, indoors and out | 33 mm | 30 mm frames like 48 mm | 25 mm |
| 135 mm | Tight headshots and outdoor portraits | 90 mm | 85 mm | 67.5 mm |
| 35 mm | Environmental portraits: a person and their place | 23 mm | 23 mm frames like 37 mm | 17 mm frames like 34 mm |
Why these focal lengths
85 mm puts you about 1.3 m (4.3 ft) from the person for head and shoulders. From there, noses and chins keep their real proportions, and the narrow view shows only a small patch of background, so it looks calm.
50 mm is the flexible choice: half-body and full-body portraits, small rooms, and people with some of their surroundings. Fill the frame with just a face, though, and you're close enough that noses start to look bigger.
135 mm gives the tightest frame and the simplest background, but a full body needs about 7.5 m (25 ft), so it's mostly an outdoor lens. 35 mm is for environmental portraits, where the place matters as much as the person. Keep faces away from the edges of the frame.
How far to stand for a portrait
On a full-frame camera held vertically, with the subject filling 90% of the frame height. Full body means a 1.8 m person, head and shoulders about 0.5 m.
- 35 mm: about 1.9 m (6.4 ft) for a full-body portrait, 0.5 m (1.8 ft) for head and shoulders.
- 50 mm: about 2.8 m (9.1 ft) for a full-body portrait, 0.8 m (2.5 ft) for head and shoulders.
- 85 mm: about 4.7 m (15 ft) for a full-body portrait, 1.3 m (4.3 ft) for head and shoulders.
- 135 mm: about 7.5 m (25 ft) for a full-body portrait, 2.1 m (6.8 ft) for head and shoulders.
Full-body distance by sensor size
How far to stand so a 1.8 m person fills 90% of the frame height, with the camera held vertically.
| Focal length | Full frame 1x | APS-C 1.5x | Canon APS-C 1.6x | Micro Four Thirds 2x |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 mm | 1.9 m (6.4 ft) | 2.9 m (9.6 ft) | 3.1 m (10 ft) | 4.0 m (13 ft) |
| 50 mm | 2.8 m (9.1 ft) | 4.2 m (14 ft) | 4.4 m (15 ft) | 5.8 m (19 ft) |
| 85 mm | 4.7 m (15 ft) | 7.1 m (23 ft) | 7.6 m (25 ft) | 9.8 m (32 ft) |
| 135 mm | 7.5 m (25 ft) | 11.2 m (37 ft) | 12.0 m (39 ft) | 15.6 m (51 ft) |
To try these focal lengths where you actually shoot, Prospekt (Lens Simulator: Prospekt on the App Store) turns your iPhone into a viewfinder for your camera body: pick the body and a focal length from 14 to 300 mm, and the screen frames what that lens would. iPhone app, $3.99 once, no subscription.
Questions
Is 50 mm good for portraits?
Yes, for half-body and full-body portraits, and indoors where there's no room to step back. A full body fits at about 2.8 m (9.1 ft) on full frame. For tight headshots, 85 mm flatters faces more, because you stand farther away.
What focal length is best for portraits on APS-C?
About 56 mm: on a 1.5x camera it frames like 84 mm, close to the classic 85 mm. A 50 mm lens on APS-C frames like 75 mm, also a good portrait length. On Canon APS-C (1.6x), use about 56 mm.
How far do I stand for a full-body portrait with an 85 mm lens?
About 4.7 m (15 ft) on full frame and 7.1 m (23 ft) on 1.5x APS-C, with the camera held vertically and a 1.8 m person filling 90% of the frame height. For head and shoulders, about 1.3 m (4.3 ft) on full frame.