Time Lapse Interval Calculator
Calculate Time Lapse Interval by entering start and end dates or times. Get precise durations in years, months, days, hours, and minutes.
Formula
Interval = Event Duration (sec) / (Clip Length x Frame Rate)
The shooting interval is calculated by dividing the total event duration in seconds by the total number of frames needed. Total frames equals the desired video clip length multiplied by the playback frame rate (e.g., 24 fps). The speed-up factor is the ratio of event duration to clip length.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Sunset Time Lapse
Problem: Capture a 45-minute sunset as a 20-second clip at 24 fps. What interval and how many photos?
Solution: Total frames needed: 20 sec x 24 fps = 480 frames\nEvent duration: 45 min x 60 = 2,700 seconds\nInterval: 2,700 / 480 = 5.625 seconds (round to 5 or 6 sec)\nSpeed-up factor: 2,700 / 20 = 135x real-time\nStorage (8MB JPEGs): 480 x 8 = 3,840 MB (3.75 GB)
Result: Interval: ~5.6 sec | 480 photos | 3.75 GB storage | 135x speed-up
Example 2: Star Trail Time Lapse
Problem: Shoot a 3-hour star trail at 25-second intervals for a 24 fps video. How long is the clip?
Solution: Event duration: 3 hours = 10,800 seconds\nTotal photos: 10,800 / 25 = 432 photos\nClip duration: 432 / 24 = 18 seconds\nSpeed-up factor: 10,800 / 18 = 600x real-time\nStorage (30MB RAW): 432 x 30 = 12,960 MB (12.66 GB)
Result: 18-second clip | 432 photos | 12.66 GB storage | 600x speed-up
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate the correct interval for a time lapse?
The interval is determined by dividing the total event duration in seconds by the total number of frames needed for your final video clip. Total frames equals your desired clip length in seconds multiplied by your playback frame rate. For example, to capture a 2-hour sunset as a 30-second clip at 24 fps, you need 720 total frames. The interval would be 7200 seconds divided by 720 frames, which equals 10 seconds between each photo. Shorter intervals capture smoother motion but require more storage and produce longer clips. Longer intervals create a more dramatic speed-up effect but can appear jerky if the subject moves quickly. The key is matching the interval to your subject's speed of motion.
What frame rate should I use for time lapse video?
The standard frame rates for time lapse are 24 fps for a cinematic look, 25 fps for PAL broadcast standard, and 30 fps for NTSC broadcast and web content. The 24 fps rate is the most popular choice because it provides smooth motion while maintaining the slightly dreamy quality associated with film. Using 30 fps produces slightly smoother motion but requires more frames and thus more photos or a shorter interval. Some creators shoot at 60 fps for ultra-smooth results or to allow slow-motion playback of certain sections. For social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, 30 fps is recommended as it matches their native playback. The frame rate directly affects how many photos you need to capture.
How much storage do I need for a time lapse project?
Storage requirements depend on the number of photos and each photo's file size. RAW files from a full-frame camera are typically 25 to 60 megabytes each, while high-quality JPEG files range from 5 to 15 megabytes. For a typical 30-second clip at 24 fps, you need 720 photos. At 30 megabytes per RAW file, that requires approximately 21 gigabytes of storage. A full day construction time lapse at one photo per minute would produce 1,440 photos requiring about 43 gigabytes in RAW. Always bring more storage than calculated because you may want to shoot extra footage for editing flexibility. Using dual card slots in your camera provides both backup and extended capacity for long projects.
What are the best intervals for different time lapse subjects?
Different subjects move at different speeds and require specific intervals for optimal results. Fast-moving clouds work well at 2 to 5 second intervals producing dramatic sweeping motion. Sunsets and sunrises look best at 2 to 5 second intervals to capture smooth color transitions. Star trails and Milky Way rotations require 15 to 30 second exposures with matching intervals. Flowers opening and blooming need 1 to 5 minute intervals over 6 to 12 hours. Construction projects use 5 to 30 minute intervals over days or months. City traffic and pedestrians look dynamic at 1 to 3 second intervals. Ice melting works well at 10 to 30 second intervals. The general rule is that faster subjects need shorter intervals for smooth motion.
How do I prevent flicker in my time lapse footage?
Flicker is caused by slight exposure variations between consecutive frames and is one of the most common time lapse problems. To prevent it, shoot in full manual mode including manual white balance, manual focus, manual exposure, and manual ISO. Avoid apertures smaller than f/8 where lens blade positioning can vary slightly between shots, causing subtle exposure differences. If shooting in changing light conditions like sunset, use aperture priority mode with manual ISO and white balance, then deflicker in post-production using software like LRTimelapse or Adobe Lightroom. The Ramping technique gradually adjusts exposure settings during the shoot to match changing light. Some cameras have built-in intervalometers with exposure smoothing to reduce flicker.
Is my data stored or sent to a server?
No. All calculations run entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No data you enter is ever transmitted to any server or stored anywhere. Your inputs remain completely private.