Time-Lapse Calculator
Enter your interval and frame rate, then either a shooting duration or a target clip length. The tool fills in the frames and the missing value.
How to use the time-lapse calculator
- Enter the interval in seconds and the playback frame rate.
- Enter either how long you will shoot or how long the clip should be.
- Read the frame count, the clip length and the shooting time.
Examples
Shoot for one hour
3600 s shoot, 5 s interval, 24 fps
720 frames, 30 s clip
Target a 10 s clip
10 s clip, 24 fps, 2 s interval
240 frames, shoot for 480 s
Frequently asked questions
How many frames does a time-lapse need?
Multiply the clip length by the frame rate. A 10 second clip at 24 fps needs 240 frames. At 30 fps the same clip needs 300 frames.
How long must I shoot for a given clip?
Multiply the frame count by the interval. For 240 frames at a 2 second interval you shoot for 480 seconds, which is 8 minutes of real time.
How do I find the clip length from a shoot?
Divide the shooting time by the interval to get the frames, then divide by the frame rate. One hour at a 5 second interval and 24 fps yields a 30 second clip.
What interval should I use?
Short intervals of 1 to 3 seconds suit fast clouds and crowds. Longer intervals of 15 to 30 seconds suit sunsets and stars, where the scene changes slowly.
What frame rate should I render at?
24 fps gives a cinematic look and 30 fps is common online. A higher frame rate needs more frames for the same clip length, so plan to shoot longer.
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