Ground Sample Distance (GSD) — why it matters

GSD is the size of one pixel on the ground. Smaller GSD = finer detail, cleaner edges, and tighter measurements — but also more images and flight time. Use this calculator to pick the right altitude/camera combo for your job, then balance detail against efficiency.

How to use: select your camera (or enter sensor width, focal length, and image width), choose your flight height, and we’ll compute your expected GSD in cm/pixel or in/pixel.

Typical targets (guidance, not gospel):

• Stockpiles & volumes: ~1.5–3 cm/px

• Civil/site topo: ~1–2 cm/px with RTK/PPK or GCPs

• As-builts/high-precision: ≤1 cm/px, higher overlap

Hard truth: Resolution ≠ accuracy. Accuracy also depends on control (RTK/PPK/GCPs), overlap, lens quality, and motion blur. Use GSD to set the bar—then fly the workflow to meet it.