Time-Lapse Calculator
Fill in the values and the answer updates as you type.
How the Time-Lapse Calculator works
Frames = event length in seconds ÷ interval. Clip length = frames ÷ playback fps, and the speed-up equals interval × playback fps. Pick an interval that matches how fast the scene moves: clouds work at 2–5 seconds and stars at 10–30 seconds. Check that your battery lasts the whole event. Example: Shooting one frame every 5 seconds for 60 minutes gives 720 frames, a 30 second clip, and 18 GB of files.
Inputs and results
The Time-Lapse Calculator takes 4 inputs and gives 4 results.
What you enter
- Event length (min) — starts at 60.
- Interval between shots (s) — starts at 5.
- Playback frame rate (fps) — starts at 24.
- File size per frame (MB) — starts at 25.
What you get
- Frames to shoot
- Final clip length (seconds)
- Storage needed (GB)
- Speed-up factor (×)
Example: Time-Lapse Calculator with the starting values
With event length 60 min, interval between shots 5 s, playback frame rate 24 fps and file size per frame 25 MB, the calculator returns:
| Frames to shoot | 720 |
|---|---|
| Final clip length (seconds) | 30 |
| Storage needed (GB) | 18 |
| Speed-up factor (×) | 120 |
Change any value above and the results update straight away.
Time-Lapse Calculator FAQ
How do I use the Time-Lapse Calculator?
Enter event length, interval between shots, playback frame rate and file size per frame in the fields, then read frames to shoot, final clip length (seconds), storage needed (gb) and speed-up factor (×) in the result panel. The answer updates as you type, and you can press Calculate or Enter to refresh it. Use “Copy link” to share your exact numbers with someone else.
What does the Time-Lapse Calculator calculate?
Frames, clip length, and storage for a time-lapse sequence. It returns frames to shoot, final clip length (seconds), storage needed (gb) and speed-up factor (×) from the 4 values you provide.
What values does the Time-Lapse Calculator start with?
It opens with event length 60 min, interval between shots 5 s, playback frame rate 24 fps and file size per frame 25 MB so you can see a working result straight away. Replace them with your own numbers, or press Reset to return to these starting values.
Is the Time-Lapse Calculator free and private?
Yes. It is free, needs no account, and runs in your browser, so nothing you type is sent to or stored on our servers. See the Privacy Policy for details.
Can I rely on the Time-Lapse Calculator for important decisions?
Treat the result as a well-rounded estimate. Real situations often have details a general calculator cannot know, so confirm important decisions with a qualified professional. See the Disclaimer for more.