Planning a time-lapse means balancing how long the event lasts with how long you want the final clip to be.
How to use the Time-Lapse Calculator
- Event duration
- Desired clip length
- Frame rate
- File size per photo
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Multiply the clip length by the frame rate for photos needed, then divide the event duration by that number.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Event duration | Units: h, min, s |
| Desired clip length | Units: s, min |
| Frame rate | Choose one: 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps |
| File size per photo | In MB |
What each result means
- Photos needed = ceil([Desired clip length]×[Frame rate])
- Shooting interval = [Event duration]÷[Photos needed]
- Speed-up factor = [Event duration]÷[Desired clip length]
- Storage needed = [Photos needed]×[File size per photo]÷1000
Example values
How the main result changes when Event duration changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Event duration (h) | Shooting interval (seconds) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 6 |
| 1.5 | 9 |
| 2 | 12 |
| 2.5 | 15 |
| 3 | 18 |
| 4 | 24 |
Formula
Photos = clip length × fpsInterval = event duration ÷ photosWorked example
Inputs — Event duration: 2 h; Desired clip length: 20 s; Frame rate: 30 fps; File size per photo: 25 MB.
Results — Photos needed = 600; Shooting interval = 12 seconds; Speed-up factor = 360 ×; Storage needed = 15 GB.
Frequently asked questions
What interval suits clouds?
About 2–5 seconds; sunsets 3–10 seconds; stars 20–30 seconds.
Should I shoot raw?
Raw gives more editing latitude but uses much more storage.
What formula does the Time-Lapse Calculator use?
Photos = clip length × fps.