Time-Lapse Calculator
Work out a time-lapse clip length, shooting time, interval or number of photos from the others, with the storage it needs and whether one memory card and battery will last.
Result…
How it's calculated
Photos = shooting time (s) ÷ interval (s) Clip length (s) = photos ÷ playback frame rate (fps) Shooting time = clip length × fps × interval Interval = shooting time ÷ (clip length × fps) Storage = photos × file size Batteries = photos ÷ shots per battery (rounded up)
Plans a time-lapse sequence. Every photo becomes one frame of the finished video, so the number of photos is the shooting time divided by the interval, and the clip length is the number of photos divided by the playback frame rate. Choose what to work out: the clip length from the shooting time and interval, the shooting time or the interval needed for a clip of a given length, or the clip and shooting time from a set number of photos. Add the size of one photo file to see the storage the sequence needs and whether it fits on your memory card, and the shots your battery gives to see how many batteries to bring.
Your numbers, step by step
About the Time-Lapse calculator
This time-lapse calculator plans a sequence before you set up the tripod. Each photo becomes one frame of the finished video, so it links four numbers: how long you shoot, the interval between photos, how many photos that makes and how long the clip runs at your playback frame rate. Choose what to work out, the clip length, the shooting time, the interval or the clip from a set number of photos, and enter the others. Add the size of one photo file to see the storage the sequence needs and whether it fits on your memory card, and the shots your battery gives to see how many batteries to bring. It suits sunsets, clouds, star trails, building work and plant growth alike, and every step is shown with your numbers.
How to use it
- Choose what to “Work out”: clip length, shooting time, interval, or the clip from a number of photos.
- Enter the “Playback frame rate” of the finished video.
- Fill in the times it asks for, such as the “Shooting time” in minutes, the “Clip length” in seconds or the “Interval”.
- Optionally add the “Photo file size”, “Memory card capacity” and “Shots per battery”.
- Read the result, the number of photos and the storage and battery checks.
Worked example
A 20 second clip at 25 fps with a photo every 4 seconds. Photos needed = 20 × 25 = 500, so the shooting time is 500 × 4 = 2000 s, or 33 min 20 s. At 30 MB per photo the sequence needs 500 × 30 = 15,000 MB, or 15 GB; a 32 GB card holds 32,000 ÷ 30 = 1066 photos, so it fits. With 350 shots per battery, 500 ÷ 350 = 1.43, so bring 2 batteries.
Updated
Questions people ask
How do I calculate how long a time-lapse will be?
Divide the shooting time in seconds by the interval to get the number of photos, then divide the photos by the playback frame rate. Two hours at a 5 second interval gives 1440 photos, or 48 seconds of video at 30 fps.
What is the formula for a time-lapse interval?
Interval = shooting time ÷ (clip length × frame rate). To turn a one-hour event into a 10 second clip at 24 fps you need 240 photos, one every 15 seconds.
What interval should I use for a time-lapse?
There is no single right answer: fast subjects such as traffic or clouds suit short intervals of a second or two, slow ones such as plants or building work suit minutes or hours. Work back from the clip length you want and the time the event lasts.
Why must the interval be longer than the shutter speed?
The camera has to finish one exposure and save the file before it can start the next. For night and star time-lapses, leave a second or two more than the exposure time.
How much storage does a time-lapse need?
Multiply the number of photos by the size of one file. Raw files and high ISO shots are larger, so measure a few of your own files first; the data storage converter turns MB into GB or GiB.
How reliable are the battery and card checks?
They are only as good as the figures you enter. Battery life drops in the cold, with long exposures and with the screen on, so carry a spare or a mains adapter. The video bitrate calculator sizes the exported video file.