Time-Lapse Calculator
Plan a time-lapse: how many frames to shoot, how long to run the camera, and how much card space you need for a target clip length.
How it works
Frames = clip length × fps · Shooting time = frames × interval · Storage = frames × photo size
A time-lapse trades a long real-world span for a short video: you shoot one photo every few seconds, then play them back at normal video speed. The number of frames you need is simply the target clip length times the playback frame rate — a 20-second clip at 30 fps is 600 frames, no matter how slowly you shoot. Multiplying frames by your interval gives the real time you must keep shooting, and multiplying by the average file size tells you the card space to bring. Longer intervals compress more real time into the same clip, which is why a sunset uses a few seconds between frames while drifting clouds might use fifteen.
Worked example
For a 20-second clip at 30 fps you need 20 × 30 = 600 frames. Shooting one frame every 5 seconds means the camera runs for 600 × 5 = 3,000 s, about 0h 50m. At 25 MB per photo that is 600 × 25 = 15,000 MB, roughly 14.65 GB of card space.
Frequently asked questions
How many frames do I need?
Multiply your final clip length by the playback frame rate. Ten seconds of finished video at 24 fps needs 240 frames; at 30 fps it needs 300. The shooting interval does not change the frame count — only how long you must shoot.
What interval should I use?
It depends on how fast the scene moves. Fast subjects like sunsets or busy streets suit 1–3 seconds; slow ones like clouds or stars use 15–30 seconds. A longer interval packs more real time into the same clip.
Why does storage matter so much?
Time-lapses generate hundreds or thousands of full-resolution stills, so a long shoot can fill a card fast. Estimating frames × average file size up front avoids running out mid-sequence.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.