Timelapse Calculator
Plan perfect timelapse photography sequences with precise interval timing, shooting duration, and frame count calculations. Whether you're capturing sunsets, cityscapes, construction projects, or nature scenes, this calculator helps you determine exactly how many frames to shoot, how long to capture, and what interval to use. Get instant estimates for storage requirements, battery needs, playback speed, and subject-specific interval recommendations for professional-quality timelapse videos.
Total time you will be shooting (minutes)
Time between each photo (seconds)
Frames per second (usually 24, 25, or 30 fps)
Target length of final video (seconds)
What is the best interval for timelapse photography?
Timelapse intervals depend on subject speed: Fast-moving clouds need 1-3 second intervals, normal clouds 3-5 seconds, sunsets 5-10 seconds, shadows moving across landscapes 15-30 seconds, construction projects 1-5 minutes, and plant growth 5-60 minutes. The general rule: choose an interval short enough to capture smooth motion but long enough to show meaningful change between frames.
How many frames do I need for a timelapse video?
For smooth timelapse videos, you need 24-30 frames per second (fps) of final video. A 10-second clip at 24 fps requires 240 frames. A 30-second clip needs 720 frames at 24 fps. Calculate total frames needed: final_video_seconds × fps. Then determine shooting duration: total_frames × interval.
How long should I shoot a timelapse?
Shooting duration depends on desired final video length and interval. Formula: shooting_duration = (final_video_seconds × fps × interval_seconds). For a 10-second video at 24 fps with 5-second intervals, shoot for 1,200 seconds (20 minutes). As a guideline: capture 2-3x more footage than needed to allow editing flexibility.
What frame rate should I use for timelapse videos?
Standard frame rates for timelapse are 24 fps (cinematic look, most common), 25 fps (PAL video standard, used in Europe/Asia), or 30 fps (NTSC standard, smooth motion). 24 fps is recommended for most timelapse work as it provides a filmic quality and is widely compatible.
How do I calculate timelapse playback speed?
Playback speed multiplier = interval × fps. With 5-second intervals at 24 fps, your timelapse plays at 120x real-time speed (5 × 24 = 120). This means 1 minute of real time becomes 0.5 seconds in the final video. A 1-hour event at 5-second intervals and 24 fps becomes a 30-second video.