This resolution scale calculator is used to compute the physical size of an object or area and its representation in an image or map, in cartography, remote sensing, and digital imaging.
A map where 1 centimeter represents 1 kilometer in the real world. The resolution scale in this case would be 1:100,000 (1 cm : 100,000 cm). This scale informs us about the level of detail and accuracy we can expect from the map.
Resolution Scale Calculator
| Image Distance | Ground Distance | Calculation | Resolution Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | 1 km | 1 : 100,000 | 1:100,000 |
| 2 inches | 1 mile | 2 : 63,360 | 1:31,680 |
| 5 mm | 100 m | 5 : 100,000 | 1:20,000 |
| 10 cm | 5 km | 10 : 500,000 | 1:50,000 |
| 1 inch | 1000 feet | 1 : 12,000 | 1:12,000 |
| 2 cm | 500 m | 2 : 50,000 | 1:25,000 |
| 1 mm | 10 m | 1 : 10,000 | 1:10,000 |
| 3 inches | 2 miles | 3 : 126,720 | 1:42,240 |
| 5 cm | 1 km | 5 : 100,000 | 1:20,000 |
| 1 foot | 500 yards | 1 : 1,500 | 1:1,500 |
| 2 mm | 50 m | 2 : 50,000 | 1:25,000 |
| 4 inches | 4 miles | 4 : 252,480 | 1:63,120 |
| 10 mm | 1 km | 10 : 100,000 | 1:10,000 |
| 2 feet | 1000 feet | 2 : 12,000 | 1:6,000 |
| 1 cm | 100 m | 1 : 10,000 | 1:10,000 |
Resolution Scale Calculation Formula
The general formula for calculating resolution scale is:
Resolution Scale = Image Distance : Ground DistanceWhere:
- Image Distance is the measurement on the image or map
- Ground Distance is the corresponding real-world measurement
For example….
- If using metric units:
Scale = x cm on map : y km on ground - For imperial units:
Scale = x inches on map : y miles on ground
If 2 cm on a map represents 10 km on the ground, the scale would be:
2 cm : 10 km = 2 cm : 1,000,000 cm = 1 : 500,000How to Calculate Resolution Scale?
- Measure the distance on your image or map
- Determine the corresponding real-world distance
- Convert units if necessary to ensure consistency
- Express the ratio in its simplest form
Let’s say you have an aerial photograph where a 5-inch line represents a 2-mile stretch of road.
- Image distance: 5 inches
- Ground distance: 2 miles
- Convert 2 miles to inches: 2 * 63,360 = 126,720 inches
- Express the ratio: 5 : 126,720
- Simplify: 1 : 25,344
The resolution scale is 1:25,344.
What is the Resolution of a Scale?
The resolution of a scale refers to the smallest discernible difference that can be measured or represented at a given scale. It’s a critical factor in determining the accuracy and detail level of maps, images, or measurements.
In cartography, scale resolution indicates the smallest feature that can be accurately depicted on a map. For digital images, it relates to the size of individual pixels relative to the area they represent.
Map scale: On a 1:50,000 scale map, 1 mm represents 50 meters on the ground. Features smaller than 50 meters might not be accurately depicted.
Satellite imagery: If a satellite image has a resolution of 30 meters/pixel, objects smaller than 30 meters may not be distinguishable.
Digital camera: A 24-megapixel camera capturing an area of 1 square meter would have a resolution of about 4,900 pixels per square centimeter.
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