Time-lapse Calculator
Plan interval, clip length, frame count and card space for any time-lapse.
How a time-lapse works
A time-lapse compresses a long event into a short video by taking one frame every few seconds and playing them back at normal video speed. The shooting interval and total duration decide how many frames you capture; the playback frame rate decides how long the finished clip runs.
Choosing your interval
Match the interval to how fast the scene moves: 1-3 seconds for people and traffic, 3-5 for sunsets, 5-10 for clouds, and 20-30 for stars. Shorter intervals give smoother motion but more frames, more storage and a longer edit. This tool shows all of those trade-offs at once.
Frames, clip length and storage
The number of frames is the shooting duration divided by the interval; the clip length is that frame count divided by the playback frame rate. Enter your average photo size and the calculator also estimates the card space you will need, so you can shoot without running out mid-sequence.
How this calculation works
Formula: clip = (duration ÷ interval) ÷ fps
where:
duration= shooting durationinterval= intervalfps= frame rate
Sources:
FAQ
What interval should I use?
Fast subjects (people, traffic) suit 1-3 s; clouds 5-10 s; sunsets 3-5 s; stars 20-30 s. Shorter intervals give smoother motion but more frames.
How long a clip will I get?
Frames captured divided by your playback frame rate. 1,800 frames at 24 fps gives a 75-second clip.
How many photos do I need for a time-lapse?
Multiply your playback length by the frame rate: a 10-second clip at 24 fps needs 240 frames.
What frame rate should I export at?
24 or 30 fps gives smooth, cinematic motion; 60 fps is smoother still and useful for slow-motion-style playback.