GSD Calculator (Ground Sample Distance)

Find the ground sample distance of aerial imagery.

Sensor width

Flight altitude

Focal length

Image width (px)

Ground sample distance (cm/px) 2.741

Formula: GSD = sensor width * altitude * 100 / (focal * image width)

Step-by-step with your numbers:

1. Values used:

2. Sensor width = 13.2

3. Flight altitude = 100

4. Focal length = 8.8

5. Image width = 5,472 px

7. Ground sample distance = 2.741cm/px

Did we solve your problem today?

GSD is the real-world distance each image pixel covers - key for drone mapping.

The math behind it

GSD = sensor width x altitude / (focal length x image width). Lower GSD means finer detail.

A typical drone at 100 m gives about 2.7 cm/px.

How do I improve GSD?

Fly lower, use a longer lens or a higher-resolution sensor.