Time-Lapse Clip Length Calculator
Plan a time-lapse: how many frames you will shoot, how long the finished clip runs, and the interval needed to hit a target length.
How it works
Frames = shooting seconds ÷ interval · Clip length = frames ÷ fps · Interval = shooting seconds ÷ (target seconds × fps)
A time-lapse trades real time for playback time. Dividing the total shooting time by the interval gives the frame count, and dividing that by the playback frame rate gives the length of the finished clip. Because you capture one frame every few seconds but play back dozens per second, the scene appears to race — the speed-up factor is simply how much real time each second of video represents.
Worked example
Shoot for 60 minutes (3600 s) with a 5 s interval and you capture 720 frames. Played at 24 fps that is 720 ÷ 24 = 30 s of video, a 120× speed-up.
Frequently asked questions
What interval should I use?
It depends on the subject: 1–3 s for fast clouds or crowds, 5–10 s for sunsets, and 20–30 s or more for stars and slow construction. Shorter intervals mean smoother motion but more frames and storage.
How long will my time-lapse be?
Divide your total shooting time by the interval to get the frame count, then divide by the playback frame rate. This calculator does both steps and also shows the interval needed to hit a target clip length.
Why is my clip shorter than expected?
Clip length is frames ÷ fps, so a higher playback frame rate produces a shorter clip from the same frames. To lengthen a clip, shoot more frames (longer session or shorter interval) or play back at a lower frame rate.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.