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Time-lapse playback duration calculator

Turn a capture duration, interval and frame rate into time-lapse playback length.

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Your result

Whole captured frames720
Playback duration24s
Time compression factor150

Calculator controls

How to calculate

Time-lapse playback durationTime-lapse playback duration1InputsCapture duration(minutes) · Captureinterval (seconds) ·Playback frame rate(fps)2MethodWhole capturedframes =floor(capture*60/interval); Playbackduration =…3Result720
Time-lapse playback durationAn hour at one frame every five seconds produces 720 frames. At 30 fps those frames play for 24 seconds. Concept diagram; not to scale.Time-lapse playback duration1InputsCapture duration (minutes) ·Capture interval (seconds) ·…2MethodWhole captured frames =floor(capture*60/interval);…3Result720MyCalCute.com
An hour at one frame every five seconds produces 720 frames. At 30 fps those frames play for 24 seconds. Concept diagram; not to scale.

Turn a capture duration, interval and frame rate into time-lapse playback length.

Whole captured frames = floor(capture*60/interval)
Playback duration = floor(capture*60/interval)/fps s
Time compression factor = interval*fps

Worked example

  • Capture duration (minutes): 60
  • Capture interval (seconds): 5
  • Playback frame rate (fps): 30
  • Whole captured frames: 720
  • Playback duration: 24 s
  • Time compression factor: 150

Assumptions and limits

Counts complete intervals only, with the first frame after one interval. A frame at time zero adds one frame. Camera delays, dropped frames and variable frame rate are excluded.

Results are rounded for display; calculations use unrounded values. Read our calculation methodology.

Understanding the result

Turn a capture duration, interval and frame rate into time-lapse playback length. An hour at one frame every five seconds produces 720 frames. At 30 fps those frames play for 24 seconds.

When this tool is useful

An hour at one frame every five seconds produces 720 frames. At 30 fps those frames play for 24 seconds.

Understanding your inputs

InputExample
Capture duration (minutes) capture60
Capture interval (seconds) interval5
Playback frame rate (fps) fps30

Frequently asked questions

What does this estimate leave out?

Counts complete intervals only, with the first frame after one interval. A frame at time zero adds one frame. Camera delays, dropped frames and variable frame rate are excluded.

How do I check the example?

Use the stated units and the formula below. Keep full precision until the final answer; change one input at a time to see its effect.

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