Free Camera Placement Tool
Drag and drop cameras on satellite maps or floor plans. Visualize field of view in real-time, detect blind spots, and optimize your CCTV layout — no software to install.
The free camera planner for security professionals
CCTVplanner is a browser-based security camera planner that helps installers and integrators plan camera coverage before installation — position cameras on satellite maps or floor plans, check field of view and DORI distances, and eliminate blind spots in minutes.
FILM · 1:00
Security Camera Placement: Where to Put CCTV Cameras, Planned Like an Installer
CCTVplanner's AI camera planner places security cameras the way an installer would: a camera that sees faces at every door and number plates at every gate, corner cameras watching each wall along its length, then a relay of cameras along the fence, every position checked by the coverage engine, with whatever the cameras see beyond the plot masked.
Every screen in the film is the live planner, voiced and subtitled in 33 languages.
How It Works
Choose Your Map
Open a satellite map of your site or upload a floor plan image. Set the scale for accurate measurements.
Place Cameras
Drag cameras onto your layout. Adjust lens, mounting height, and angle. See field of view cones update in real-time.
Export Your Design
Export your camera layout as a professional PDF report with camera schedule, coverage map, and equipment list.
How much does a security camera cover?
A security camera covers a cone that widens with distance. The lens sets its width: a short focal length sees wide and near, a long one narrow and far. How deep the coverage stays useful depends on the detail you need. EN 62676-4 sets it in pixels per metre: 250 to identify a person, 125 to recognise, 62.5 to observe and 25 to detect.
| Focal length | Horizontal angle | Width at 10 m | Width at 20 m | Identifies up to | Detects up to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8 mm | 81.2° | 17.1 m | 34.3 m | 6 m | 60 m |
| 4 mm | 61.9° | 12 m | 24 m | 9 m | 85 m |
| 6 mm | 43.6° | 8 m | 16 m | 13 m | 128 m |
| 8 mm | 33.4° | 6 m | 12 m | 17 m | 171 m |
| 12 mm | 22.6° | 4 m | 8 m | 26 m | 256 m |
Calculated for a 1/3-inch sensor and a 4 MP image, 2560 pixels wide. Every camera model in CCTVplanner uses its own sensor and lens data.
What shrinks real coverage
- Obstacles. Walls, trees and parked vehicles cast a shadow in the field of view.
- Mounting height and tilt. A camera mounted high and tilted down cannot see the ground right under it.
- Light. At night the useful depth ends where the infrared or the site lighting ends.
CCTVplanner draws every camera's coverage on the real site with these limits: the DORI zones from the model's own data, cut by the obstacles around it, at the height and tilt you set.
Powerful Placement Features
Real-Time FOV
See each camera's field of view cone update instantly as you move, rotate, or change lens parameters.
Blind Spot Detection
Identify gaps in your coverage. The tool highlights areas that aren't covered by any camera in your layout.
Satellite Maps
Place cameras on Google Maps satellite imagery for accurate outdoor site planning with real-world context.
Floor Plan Support
Upload floor plans as images and place cameras on indoor layouts. Set scale for accurate field of view calculation.
Camera Database
Choose from 65,000+ real camera models with accurate specifications. Lens, resolution, and range data built in.
PDF Export
Export your camera placement design as a professional PDF report ready for client presentations.
How We Compare
| Feature | CCTVplanner | JVSG ($500+) | IPVM ($250/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan available | - | - | |
| Web-based (no download) | - | ||
| Satellite maps | - | ||
| Floor plan upload | - | ||
| FOV visualization | |||
| PDF export | |||
| 33 languages | - | - |
Camera placement questions
What is a camera placement tool?
A camera placement tool is software that lets you position security cameras on a map or floor plan to visualize their field of view, coverage area, and blind spots before physical installation. CCTVplanner is a free online camera placement tool that works directly in your browser.
How do I plan camera placement for CCTV?
Start by uploading your floor plan or using satellite maps in CCTVplanner. Then drag and drop cameras where you want them. The tool instantly shows each camera's field of view cone, helping you identify blind spots and optimize coverage. Adjust mounting height, angle, and lens to fine-tune your design.
How far can a security camera see?
It depends on the lens and the resolution. A 4 MP camera with a 2.8 mm lens identifies people up to about 6 m and detects them up to about 60 m. With a 12 mm lens the same camera identifies people up to about 26 m. At night the infrared range on the datasheet is a separate limit.
How much area does a 2.8 mm security camera cover?
About 81 degrees across on a 1/3-inch sensor. At 10 m the view is about 17 m wide, and a 4 MP camera with this lens identifies people up to about 6 m. Datasheets often list a wider angle because many cameras have a larger sensor.
Is this camera placement tool free?
Yes. CCTVplanner offers a permanent free plan that lets you design CCTV layouts with up to 6 cameras per project. No credit card required, no time limit.
Can I use satellite maps for camera placement?
Yes. CCTVplanner integrates Google Maps satellite imagery, allowing you to place cameras directly on real-world aerial views of your site. You can also upload floor plans for indoor camera placement.
Start Planning Your Next CCTV System
No credit card required. Start placing cameras on your site plan in minutes.
Also explore: CCTV Design Tool · FOV Calculator · Camera Placement Guide · CCTV Layout Software