The core relationship
Three values are linked: and . Know any two groups and the calculator solves for the third.
Time-lapse Planning Calculator
Plan your time-lapse sequences with interval and duration calculations.
By Jeff Beem
Updated
Time-lapse Planning Calculator
Shooting interval
Event duration
Clip length
30s
Total photos
720
Storage needed
17.6 GB
Full plan
24 fps · Interval: 5s · Event: 1h 0m 0s · Clip: 30s
Information hub
Choosing an interval
The interval controls the speed-up factor of the final video. A 5-second interval at 24 fps compresses real time by 120×: one hour becomes 30 seconds. Shorter intervals give smoother motion but fill cards faster. For clouds and sunsets, 3–5 s works well; for stars, 15–30 s; for construction, 5–30 minutes.
Storage planning
A single RAW file from a 24 MP camera is roughly 25 MB. A 30-second clip at 24 fps requires 720 photos, about 18 GB in RAW. JPEG cuts that to 2–4 GB. For long sessions (hours, days), shoot JPEG or use smaller RAW, and bring spare cards. The calculator's storage estimate helps you plan before you run out in the field.
Interval vs. shutter speed
Your shooting interval must be longer than the shutter speed plus the time the camera needs to write the file. If the interval is 5 s and the exposure is 4 s, the camera has about 1 s to process and save, tight on many bodies. Leave margin beyond your exposure time so the camera can finish writing before the next shot.
Common interval presets
| Subject | Interval |
|---|---|
| Fast clouds / traffic | 1–3 s |
| Sunset / sunrise | 3–5 s |
| Slow clouds | 5–10 s |
| Stars / Milky Way | 15–30 s |
| Plants growing | 1–5 min |
| Construction | 5–30 min |
Time-lapse planning essentials
How interval, duration, and frame rate connect, and the practical details that keep a shoot from going sideways.
Key ideas
Speed-up factor
The ratio of interval to frame period determines how fast the video plays. A 5 s interval at 24 fps compresses time 120×: one hour of real time becomes 30 seconds of video.
Storage math
Total storage is just photos × file size. RAW files are large (20–60 MB each); JPEG is 3–8 MB. A multi-hour shoot in RAW can fill a 64 GB card faster than you expect.
Interval headroom
The interval must exceed the shutter speed plus the camera's buffer-write time. If it doesn't, you'll miss frames. Enter your shutter speed and the calculator will warn you.
Time-lapse Planning Calculator
Plan shooting interval, event duration, clip length, storage, and frame count for time-lapse photography and videography. Red light mode for night sessions.
What this calculator does
This time-lapse calculator solves the three-way relationship between shooting interval, event duration, and clip length. Pick which value you want to find, enter the other two using hour/minute/second pickers, and set your frame rate (24, 25, 30, or 60 fps). The tool calculates and shows the total photo count, storage requirement (based on your average file size), and a full plan summary you can copy. Enter an optional shutter speed to get a warning if your interval is too short for the camera to keep up.
How the Math Works
Three values are linked by the core time-lapse relationship: and . Pick which value to solve for and the calculator rearranges accordingly. The speed-up factor equals , a 5-second interval at 24 fps compresses real time by 120×, so one hour of footage becomes 30 seconds of video. Total storage is ; a typical 24 MP RAW file runs about 25 MB, so 720 photos need roughly 18 GB. The shutter-speed guard checks that your shooting interval exceeds the exposure time plus the camera's buffer-write time, if it doesn't, you will miss frames or lock up the shutter.
- Worked example:You want a 30-second clip at 24 fps of a 1-hour sunset with a 5-second interval. Photos = 30 × 24 = 720. Event check: 720 × 5 s = 3,600 s = 1 hour. Storage at 25 MB/RAW: 720 × 25 = 18 GB. Speed-up: 5 × 24 = 120×.
- Interval headroom:If your shutter speed is 4 seconds and the camera needs 0.8 s to write, the total cycle is 4.8 s, so a 5-second interval just barely works, while a 3-second interval would miss frames.
How to Use This Calculator
Select which value you want the calculator to solve for: shooting interval, event duration, or clip length. Enter the two values you already know using the hour, minute, and second pickers, for example, set event duration to 1 hour and clip length to 30 seconds, and the calculator finds the required shooting interval. Choose your playback frame rate: 24 fps (cinema standard), 25 fps (PAL), 30 fps (web/NTSC), or 60 fps for slow-motion effects. Review the total photo count and estimated storage needed based on your average file size (adjust between RAW and JPEG sizes for accuracy). Optionally enter your shutter speed; the calculator will warn you with a red alert if your interval is too short for the exposure plus buffer-write time, which would cause missed frames. The plan summary at the bottom recaps all settings in one copyable block.
Choosing the right interval
The shooting interval is the gap between consecutive frames. It controls both the number of photos you take and the speed-up factor of the final clip. A 5-second interval at 24 fps compresses real time by 120×. For fast subjects (traffic, clouds), use 1–3 seconds. For sunsets, 3–5 seconds. For star motion, 15–30 seconds. For construction or plant growth, intervals of minutes to hours work best. Shorter intervals produce smoother motion but consume more storage and shutter actuations.
Storage and buffer
Total storage equals . A typical 24 MP RAW is about 25 MB, so a 30-second clip at 24 fps (720 photos) needs ~18 GB. Shooting JPEG instead drops that to 2–4 GB. For multi-hour sessions, bring spare cards or shoot to a tethered drive. Also make sure your interval leaves enough time for the camera to write, if the interval is shorter than the exposure plus buffer-write time, you'll miss frames or lock up the camera.
Time-lapse Planning Calculator FAQ
How do I calculate the number of photos for a time-lapse?
Multiply the final clip length (in seconds) by the playback frame rate. For example, a 30-second clip at 24 fps requires 720 photos. The calculator handles this automatically, just enter your clip length and frame rate.
What shooting interval should I use?
It depends on the subject. Fast-moving clouds and traffic work at 1–3 seconds, sunsets at 3–5 seconds, and star trails at 15–30 seconds. The interval controls how much real time is compressed into each second of video.
How much storage do I need for a time-lapse?
Multiply the number of photos by the average file size. A 24 MP RAW file is about 25 MB, so 720 photos need roughly 18 GB. Shooting JPEG instead cuts that to 2–4 GB. The calculator shows this under "Storage needed."
Why is my interval shorter than my shutter speed?
If the shooting interval is shorter than the exposure time plus the camera's write time, the camera can't keep up. Either lengthen the interval or shorten the shutter speed. The calculator flags this with a red warning when you enter a shutter speed.
What frame rate should I use for time-lapse?
24 fps is the cinema standard and gives a natural look. 25 fps is standard for PAL broadcast. 30 fps is common for web and NTSC. Higher rates like 60 fps can be slowed down for a smooth slow-motion time-lapse effect.
Mathematical Reference Note
Calculation Logic: This tool uses standard mathematical algorithms. While we strive for accuracy, errors in logic or user input can result in incorrect data.
Verification: Results should be cross-checked if used for important academic, professional, or personal calculations.
Standard Terms: This tool is provided free of charge and as-is. CalcRegistry provides no warranty regarding the accuracy or fitness of these results for your specific needs.
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