Time‑Lapse Interval Calculator – Online Shoot Duration & Playback Length

The interval is the waiting time between each photo capture. For example, a 5-second interval means your camera takes one photo every 5 seconds. The interval determines how smooth your final video will be — shorter intervals create smoother motion, while longer intervals accelerate the perceived speed of change.

For fast-moving clouds, use 1–3 second intervals. For slow, drifting clouds, 5–10 seconds works well. The key is matching the interval to the cloud speed — faster clouds need shorter intervals to avoid choppy footage. A good starting point is 3–5 seconds for most daytime cloud scenes.

Use the formula: Interval = Shooting Duration ÷ (Desired Clip Length × FPS). For instance, if you want a 30-second clip at 30fps from a 2-hour shoot, you need 900 photos (30×30), and your interval should be 8 seconds (7200s ÷ 900). Our calculator above automates this for you — just select what you want to find and enter the known values.

24fps gives a cinematic look (standard for films), 25fps is common in PAL regions (Europe, Australia), 30fps is the standard for online video and NTSC (North America), and 60fps provides ultra-smooth playback. For most time-lapse projects destined for YouTube or social media, 30fps is a great default choice.

Multiply your desired clip length (in seconds) by your chosen FPS. For a 10-second clip at 30fps, you need 300 photos. For a 1-minute clip at 24fps, you need 1,440 photos. Always shoot a few extra frames for safety — you can trim later but can't recover missing frames.

Sunsets typically last 45–90 minutes of dramatic light change. An interval of 2–5 seconds works well. Use 2–3 seconds if you want very smooth transitions during the rapid color changes, or 4–5 seconds for a more accelerated feel. A 3-second interval over 1.5 hours at 30fps yields about a 60-second clip.

Absolutely! This calculator works for any camera — DSLR, mirrorless, GoPro, smartphone, or dedicated time-lapse gear. Just match the interval to your camera's capabilities. GoPro cameras typically support intervals from 0.5 seconds upward, and many models have built-in Time Lapse modes that can use these exact settings.

Interval is the time between the start of one photo and the start of the next. Exposure time (shutter speed) is how long each individual photo's sensor is exposed to light. Your interval must be longer than your exposure time — if you're doing 20-second exposures for night sky, your interval must be at least 21+ seconds to allow the camera time to process each shot.