Mirror Equation Calculator
Find the image distance and magnification produced by a spherical mirror using the mirror equation.
What the mirror equation tells you
The mirror equation, 1/f = 1/do + 1/di, relates the focal length (f) of a spherical mirror to the distances of the object (do) and its image (di) from the mirror. It applies to both concave and convex mirrors using the standard sign convention.
How this calculator works
Enter the focal length and object distance. The tool solves for image distance, then computes magnification as m = -di/do. A positive image distance means a real image (formed on the same side as the object for concave mirrors); a negative value means a virtual image formed behind the mirror.
By convention, use a positive focal length for concave mirrors and a negative focal length for convex mirrors. This calculator is intended for general physics education and planning purposes.