How to calculate the magnification of a microscope?

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Not all microscopes are equal! Not only are there different types of microscopes, but there are also various magnification specifications to consider. When looking for a microscope that suits your needs, you can calculate the total magnification for your microscope by multiplying the eyepiece power by the objective power.

Microscope Magnification

To calculate the magnification of a microscope, follow these steps:

  1. Determine the magnification of the objective lens: This information is usually marked on the lens itself. It is often represented as a number followed by the letter “x”, such as 10x or 40x.
  2. Determine the magnification of the eyepiece lens: This information is also usually marked on the lens itself. It is often represented as a number followed by the letter “x”, such as 10x or 15x.
  3. Calculate the TOTAL MAGNIFICATION of the microscope: Multiply the magnification of the objective lens by the magnification of the eyepiece lens.
eyepiece magnification calculator

Microscope Magnification Calculator

The objective, also referred to as the objective lens, is the lens closest to the object being viewed. The eyepiece lens is the lens closest to the eye of the observer. The magnification of a microscope can be calculated using the following formula:

Total Magnification = Objective Power x Eyepiece Power

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