Nikon Filter Sizes: A Master List for Z, DSLR, & Manual Lenses

Filter size finder: Which filter size does your Nikon lens take?

Here are the lens diameters and corresponding filter sizes for common Nikon (NIKKOR) lenses, including their FX (full-frame), DX (APS-C cropped sensor), and Z Mirrorless series lenses.

I’ve also included many older SLR lenses, including Ai-S lenses.

If you’re after lens hoods, I also have a Nikon lens hood compatibility chart.

Note that my focus here is on lenses that take screw-in filters on the front. Some lenses, such as very wide-angle and fisheye lenses, or long telephoto lenses, don’t have a filter thread on the front and can’t accept this style of filter. Some, like the 16mm f/2.8 fisheye, take a dedicated rear filter. Some very long telephoto lenses also use a system of drop-in filters at the rear of the lens.

Some focal lengths have multiple lenses, so it’s important to match the other parts of the name. For example, Nikon has multiple versions of the 18-55mm lenses, and the AF-P and AF-S versions are not the same thing and take filters of different sizes. Likewise with, say, the AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G and AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4D — the model names might be very similar, but they’re different lenses and take filters of different sizes.

This is an ongoing list and clearly doesn’t cover every lens Nikon has ever made–there are a lot of them. I’m starting with their current range and adding older lenses to it as the opportunity arises.

Please feel free to send through any additions, requests, or corrections.¹

If you don’t see your lens listed here and want to find out the filter size, it’s often marked on the lens itself. Look for the symbol that looks like a zero with a line through it (ø). For example, ø82 means you need an 82mm filter. Do not confuse this with the focal length (e.g., 50mm).

For a more detailed guide, see my post on finding the lens diameter.

Nikon Z-mount – Zoom Lens Filter Sizes Chart

These are the filter sizes for lenses for Nikon’s Z mirrorless camera system. These use the Z-mount system.

Note that there can be lenses designed for full-frame sensor bodies as well as DX lenses for mirrorless cameras that have a cropped DX-sized sensor. Nikon’s naming convention for these is that the FX lenses don’t have any special notation, while DX-only lenses have “DX” in the lens name.

Nikon Z-mount – Prime Lens Filter Sizes Chart

These are the filter sizes for prime lenses for Nikon’s Z mirrorless camera system.

Nikon F-mount auto focus full-frame (FX/SLR) – zoom lens filter sizes chart

These are the filter sizes for Nikon’s auto focus zoom lenses designed for full-frame (digital and film) DSLRs and SLRs using the F-mount system.

Nikon F-mount auto focus full-frame (FX/SLR) – prime lens filter sizes chart

These are the filter sizes for Nikon’s auto focus prime lenses designed for full-frame (digital and film) DSLRs and SLRs using the F-mount system.

Nikon F-mount Auto Focus Cropped (DX) – Zoom Lens Filter Sizes Chart

These are the filter sizes and lens hoods for Nikon’s zoom lenses designed specifically for DX DSLRs with a cropped sensor using the F-mount system.

Nikon F-mount Auto Focus Cropped (DX) – Prime Lens Filter Sizes Chart

These are the filter sizes and lens hoods for Nikon’s prime lenses designed specifically for DX DSLRs with a cropped sensor using the F-mount system.

Nikon F-mount Manual Focus – Zoom Lens Filter Sizes Chart

These are for Nikon’s older manual focus lenses, including AI and Ai-S lenses. 

Nikon F-mount Manual Focus – Prime Lens Filter Sizes Chart

These are for Nikon’s older manual focus lenses, including AI and Ai-S lenses. 

Things worth knowing

What are drop-in filters?

Rather than have a filter thread on the end of the lens to attach a screw-on filter, some lenses have a special built-in mount in the rear of the lens (between the lens elements and the camera) that accepts mounted glass filters or gels. They’re most commonly found on extreme wide-angle lenses, such as fisheyes, or extremely long telephoto lenses. 

A somewhat related method of attaching a filter is to use a filter mounting system such as by Lee or Cokin. These include their own mount into which you can drop plate or mounted filters. But because they’re not generally constrained by the same kind of lens compatibility issues, they’re beyond the scope of these compatibility charts. 

Interestingly, you can buy drop-in filter adapters (from brands like Meike or Kolari) for the FTZ, which effectively adds drop-in capability to any F-mount lens on a Z body.

What are series size filters?

For a handful of the older manual focus lenses above, you’ll see mention of series filters. The terms “series filters” or “series size” refer to a system used in the past (mainly during the 1940s to 1970s) to standardize filter sizes for camera lenses. Unlike today’s modern lenses, which commonly use threaded filters that screw directly onto the lens’s front element, many older lenses use a slip-on filter system.

This slip-on system consisted of a metal ring that slipped onto the front of the lens and held the filter in place. The series sizes described the diameter of this ring and the corresponding filter. The sizes were typically identified by a number, e.g., Series 6 or Series 9. And rather than be sized to a specific mm size, they applied for ranges, with what amounted to a step-down ring for cross-size versatility.

I have a more detailed explanation of series-size filters separately.

Nikon lens codes

Like most lens manufacturers, Nikon includes codes in the names of their lenses to help identify key features of their lenses. Over their history, there have been many, and I’ve posted a more comprehensive explanation of Nikon lens codes separately. But here are some of the more recent ones that you’re likely to come across when shopping for lenses.

• DX = Nikon’s designation for their cropped APS-C sensor cameras and lenses.
• FX = Nikon’s designation for their full-frame digital cameras and lenses.
• D = A D-type lens conveys subject-to-camera distance information for 3D Matrix Metering. Note that while modern ‘G’ and ‘E’ lenses also transmit this distance data, lenses explicitly labeled ‘D-Type’ (AF-D) are older designs that feature a manual aperture ring.
• E = An E-type lens, which uses an electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism for aperture blade control. This is designed to improve the accuracy of exposures with continuous shooting, especially at high frame rates. This is a distinction from their more common G and D-type lenses, where the diaphragm blades are operated mechanically. Limited compatibility — older DSLRs and SLRs aren’t compatible with it.
• G = A G-type lens. This is an update to the D-type lenses and incorporates the same kind of distance information. But a defining feature is that they don’t have an aperture ring, with the aperture controlled through the camera’s dials and menu.
• FL = Some lens elements are made of fluorite rather than the more typical glass. This reduces weight while maintaining optical quality.
• ED = Extra-Low Dispersion Glass, a specialized type of lens glass designed to reduce chromatic aberration.
• AF-S = AF-S lenses feature a built-in Silent Wave Motor (SWM). This allows for faster, quieter focusing and — crucially — autofocus compatibility with entry-level Nikon DSLRs (like the D3000/D5000 series) that lack a focus motor in the camera body.
• D-Type = Sometimes AF-D or AF Nikkor D. Lens CPU relays distance information to the camera.
• AF-I = Lens with internal autofocus motor.
• AF-P = Lenses where particular settings are controlled from the camera’s menu and controls rather than switches on the lens itself (eg. AF/MF or vibration reduction). Limited compatibility–mainly for newer cameras (or, in some cases, updated firmware).
• VR = Vibration Reduction. This refers to in-lens vibration reduction. You might also come across VR II, which is an updated and improved version.
• Micro = Nikon’s terminology for macro.

Nikon DSLR lens compatibility

You can find Nikon’s official lens compatibility chart here [PDF].

Step-up & step-down rings (the money-saving trick)

You don’t necessarily need to buy a separate filter for every single diameter listed above. In fact, a common money-saving strategy used by pros is to buy filters for their largest lens and adapt them to the smaller ones. (NB: This only makes sense for creative filters like polarizers and ND filters, not for protection filters (UV/Haze, etc).)

For example, high-quality filters are expensive. A pro-grade Circular Polarizer might cost $150. Rather than buying a 52mm version, a 62mm version, and a 77mm version (costing you $450 total), you can simply buy the 77mm filter and use inexpensive rings to fit it onto the smaller lenses.

These rings come in two varieties:

• Step-Up Rings (Recommended): These allow you to attach a larger filter to a smaller lens thread.
  • Example: If you have a lens with a 52mm thread but want to use your 77mm filter, you would use a 52-77mm Step-Up Ring.
  • Why use them: This is the safest method. Because the filter glass is physically larger than the lens requires, there is zero risk of vignetting (dark corners).
• Step-Down Rings (Use Caution): These allow you to attach a smaller filter to a larger lens thread.
  • Example: If you have a lens with a 77mm thread and try to attach an old 67mm filter using a 77-67mm Step-Down Ring.
  • Why use them: Generally, you shouldn’t. Because the filter is smaller than the front of the lens, you will likely see the black edges of the filter in your image (vignetting), especially on wide-angle lenses. An exception might be if you are switching a full-frame camera into APS-C mode (on Nikon cameras, that would be putting an FX camera into DX crop mode).

I have more information on how to use step-up and step-down filter adapters separately, but the general rule of thumb is: Buy Big, Step Up. It is the most economical way to build a versatile filter kit.

Updates

• January 7, 2026 / Added new Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-105mm f/4-7.1
• October 16, 2025 / Added new Nikon NIKKOR Z MC 35mm f/1.7 and Nikon NIKKOR Z 16-50mm f/2.8 VR
• August 21, 2025 / Added new Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II
• February 13, 2025 / Added NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ
• September 10, 2024 / Added NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4
• March 27, 2024 / Added NIKKOR Z 28-400mm F/4-8 VR

Notes & References:

1. In compiling this data, I’m drawing from a range of sources. For the newest lenses, I’m using Nikon’s official website. For older lenses, I’m primarily drawing from: The New Nikon Compendium: Cameras, Lenses & Accessories Since 1917 (by Simon Stafford, Rudi Hillebrand, and Jans-Joachim Hauschild), Nikon Lenses (2nd ed, by B. Moose Peterson), and Eyes of Nikon: A Comprehensive Guide to Nikkor and Nikon Series E Lenses. Some lenses have required further research, in which case I’ve drawn from other sources as well. [↩︎]