How to calculate the magnification of a microscope?

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.

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.

Microscope Magnification Calculator

The magnification of a microscope can be calculated using the following formula:

Total Magnification = Objective Power x Eyepiece Power

[Calculator id=’1′]

  • 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.