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ChatGPT said: Easily calculate shooting interval, exposure time & total frames with our free Time Lapse Calculator. Perfect for GoPro, DSLR & cinematic photography.
Capturing time in a beautiful, accelerated format is the magic of time-lapse photography. Whether you’re shooting clouds, sunsets, traffic, or construction projects, you need the right calculations to ensure your final video looks smooth and cinematic. That’s where our Time Lapse Calculator comes in.
We developed this free tool to help photographers, videographers, and GoPro users easily calculate shooting intervals, exposure times, total frames, and more. No more guessing or doing math by hand just enter your details and get instant results.
Time lapse is a photography technique that involves capturing a sequence of images at set intervals and stitching them into a video. The result? A sped-up version of real life, revealing movements and patterns that are invisible in real time.
Accurate timing is key. If your interval is too short, you’ll waste storage. If it's too long, your video may look choppy. That’s why using a reliable time lapse photography calculator is essential.
Let’s break it down with the exact formulas we use in our calculator.
Step 1: Convert the event duration into seconds
For example, 2 hours becomes:
2 × 3600 = 7200 seconds
Step 2: Convert the desired video length into seconds
For example, 30 seconds = 30 seconds
Or 1 minute = 60 seconds
Step 3: Multiply the video length (in seconds) by the frame rate
For example, 30 seconds at 24 fps:
30 × 24 = 720 total frames
Step 4: Calculate the shooting interval
Divide the total event duration by the total frames:
7200 ÷ 720 = 10 seconds
This means you take a photo every 10 seconds.
Step 5: Calculate exposure time using the shutter angle
If you're using a 180° shutter angle, the exposure time is:
(180 / 360) × 10 = 5 seconds
So, for a smooth and natural motion blur, your shutter should stay open for 5 seconds each frame.
Many users want to know how long a time-lapse will be when shot on GoPro or similar action cameras. Here’s a quick example:
If you capture 2 hours of footage using a 10-second interval and your GoPro is set to 30 fps, then:
Your 2-hour shoot becomes a 24-second video.
Using our tool is incredibly simple:
No complex math, no confusion just answers.
Our Time Lapse Calculator is designed for everyone from beginners experimenting with sunset timelapses to professionals shooting high-end construction projects or astrophotography. With full support for custom frame rates, shutter angles, and flexible units, this tool makes planning your next shoot easier than ever.
It’s not just about numbers. It’s about making sure your timelapse looks stunning. Whether you're using a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or a GoPro, our tool gives you the technical edge without overwhelming you.
It depends on the interval and frame rate. At 30 fps, you’ll need 900 frames. If you shoot with a 10-second interval, it means 900 × 10 = 9000 seconds = 2.5 hours of real-time.
Divide the total real-world duration by the number of frames you plan to take, based on your desired final video length and frame rate.
That depends on your interval. If you use a 10-second interval, you’ll capture 720 frames in 2 hours. At 24 fps, your final video will be 30 seconds long.
It depends on the subject:
Do I need to match shutter angle like in cinema?
For smooth cinematic motion blur, a 180° shutter angle is ideal. This keeps your exposure time at half the interval.