Camera Coverage Planner Calculator

Formula Used

How to Use This Calculator

1. Measure your garden length and width, including paths.
2. Enter mounting height where the camera will be fixed.
3. Use your camera’s listed horizontal and vertical FOV values.
4. Set overlap to reduce gaps near bed edges and corners.
5. Apply a safety margin if foliage or mounting is imperfect.
6. Press calculate, then download CSV or PDF if needed.

Example Data Table

Planning Notes for Garden Camera Coverage

1) Define coverage goals by zone

Split the garden into zones like gate, compost, tool shed, beds, and water lines. A typical path zone needs continuous visibility, while beds may only need periodic review. The calculator’s grid output helps you assign cameras to zones instead of guessing placement. Record each zone’s risk level, then raise overlap and margin for higher-risk edges.

2) Use height and FOV to estimate footprint

Footprint grows with mounting height and lens angle. For example, increasing height from 2.5 to 3.5 units raises ground coverage by roughly 40% for the same lens, because width and length scale with height. Wider HFOV reduces camera count but can soften detail at edges. If you need identification at a gate, keep the gate within the inner 60% of the footprint.

3) Overlap improves tracking and edge safety

Overlap controls the step distance between camera centers. A 15% overlap is a practical baseline for gardens with moving foliage. Higher overlap (25–35%) helps when you want smoother handoff between views, such as along fences or long paths, but it increases total cameras.

4) Safety margin accounts for real-world losses

Branches, posts, and angled mounting reduce usable coverage. The safety margin shrinks the calculated footprint to protect against edge gaps. Use 5–10% for open beds, and 10–20% near trellises, dense shrubs, or uneven ground. This keeps the plan conservative without overbuilding. For drip lines and valves, add margin if tall plants will grow into the view during peak season.

5) Validate layout with a quick field check

After calculating, walk the garden and mark proposed camera points on a sketch. Confirm line-of-sight to critical spots and verify night conditions if monitoring pests or entry points. If lux is low, favor cameras with strong low-light performance, then keep overlap moderate for reliable coverage. Also compare the suggested grid to your available mounting locations; moving one camera to a sturdy post can be better than adding another unit.

FAQs

1) Does this planner assume the camera is tilted?

No. It assumes a top-down view. If you tilt the camera, the footprint becomes skewed and you should increase overlap and safety margin to reduce edge gaps.

2) What overlap percentage is best for garden paths?

For paths and gates, 20–30% overlap typically improves continuity when motion crosses cameras. For beds, 10–20% is often sufficient if you only need periodic review.

3) Why does the calculator suggest more cameras than expected?

High overlap, high safety margin, or a narrow VFOV reduces step distance. Lower overlap slightly, reduce margin where sight lines are clear, or use a wider lens to increase footprint.

4) Can I mix different camera lenses in one garden?

Yes. Run separate plans per lens type and assign wide lenses for overview zones, then narrower lenses for detail zones such as seedling trays, valves, or entrances.

5) How should I choose mounting height?

Higher mounting increases footprint and reduces camera count, but can reduce face-level detail. Balance height with your goal: overview coverage versus identification detail at key spots.

6) Is the estimated coverage percentage exact?

It is a planning estimate based on rectangular footprints and a grid layout. Obstacles, tilt, and uneven terrain can reduce real coverage, so confirm with a simple on-site test.