Degrees of freedom in VR: 3DoF vs 6DoF explained

With AR available on smartphones, 360º video support on YouTube, Vimeo, and Facebook, and VR usage rising by 63% in 2020 alone, immersive experiences are mainstream. But new tech comes with new terminology. Understanding degrees of freedom (DoF) is key to creating the right VR or AR experience.

What are degrees of freedom?

Degrees of freedom describe motion around or along an axis.

• Example: Bending your knee is one degree of freedom.

• In 3D space, objects can move in 6 ways:

  • 3 rotational axes (look up/down, left/right, tilt)

  • 3 directional axes (move forward/back, up/down, side-to-side)

This is called 6DoF — 6 degrees of freedom.

Why do degrees of freedom matter in VR?

In VR, DoF refers to the axes tracked by your headset, letting the system understand your movements. There are two main types:

3DoF (3 Degrees of Freedom)

• Tracks rotation only (orientation tracking)

• Lets you look around an environment in 360º

• Examples: Pico Goblin, Oculus Go

• Ideal for 360º videos or guided virtual tours

6DoF (6 Degrees of Freedom)

• Tracks rotation and position

• Lets you move freely within the environment (forward, back, up, down, side-to-side)

• Examples: Oculus Quest, Pico Neo

• Ideal for interactive simulations, VR games, or immersive training

Why this distinction matters

Different tech, different experiences

• 3DoF: Works with most 360º videos; movement is limited to looking around.

• 6DoF: Works with CGI VR or fully modeled environments; gives complete freedom of movement.

Budget Considerations

• 3DoF: Cheaper and easier to produce; great for immersive storytelling or tours.

• 6DoF: Requires advanced modelling, animation, and tracking; more realistic but higher cost and longer lead times.

Choosing the Right Experience

• 3DoF: Best for experiences where the user is a passive observer.

• 6DoF: Best for experiences where the user interacts actively with the environment.

Factors to consider:

• Hardware availability (3DoF vs 6DoF headsets)

• Project goals

• Budget and timeline

Not sure which option fits your project? Our team can advise on the best VR or AR solution to create the most immersive experience for your audience.