How to use the microscope total magnification calculator
Compute total magnification and the actual size of a specimen. Enter objective, eyepiece, image size in the fields above; the total magnification, actual size are computed instantly and plotted on the chart so you can see how the answer changes.
Formula
Variables
- o — Objective (×)
- e — Eyepiece (×)
- im — Image size (mm)
Worked example
With objective = 40 ×, eyepiece = 10 ×, image size = 8 mm, the calculator gives total magnification ≈ 400 ×; actual size ≈ 20 µm.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for the microscope total magnification calculation?
Total magnification (×) = o × e. Actual size (µm) = im × 1000 / [Total magnification]. Here o is objective (×), e is eyepiece (×), im is image size (mm).
What inputs do I need for the microscope total magnification calculator?
You need objective in ×, eyepiece in ×, image size in mm. Each field is pre-filled with a typical example so you can see how the result responds as you edit the numbers.
How do I use this calculator?
Type values into the input fields. Results and the chart update instantly. Use Reset to restore the example values, Copy results to paste them elsewhere, or Share to copy a link that preserves your inputs.
Is the result exact?
Calculations use standard formulas and double-precision arithmetic, then display about seven significant figures. Real-world measurements carry uncertainty, so treat results as estimates unless your inputs are exact.