Frames to Timecode Calculator
This frames to timecode calculator (or TC calculator for short) helps you convert frames to timecode in a recorded video. Thanks to this tool, you will be able to quickly identify the correct frame or check how long your video will be.
If you'd like to convert a timecode to frames, check out the timecode to frames calculator.
What is a video frame?
Each video consists of several still images called video frames. Shown in a sequence, they create the illusion of a moving image. Each of them is shown on the screen for a very short time, for example, for 1/24 of a second.
The number of frames shown per second, also called fps or frame rate, varies depending on the video. For instance, most regular movies use 24 fps, but this number can be as low as 12 fps (in the case of animated movies) or as high as 60 fps.
💡 You might also be interested in our video frame size calculator.
What is a timecode?
Timecode is a sequence of numbers describing a particular video frame. It is usually used in video production by camera assistants, who mark the beginning and end of a scene.
The most common format for a timecode is:
HH:MM:SS:FR
where HH stands for hours, MM for minutes, SS for seconds, and FR for frames.
For example, consider the timecode 00:04:15:13. It describes a frame that will be shown within 4 minutes, 15 seconds, and 13 frames from the beginning of the video.
How to convert frames to timecode
Using this frames to timecode calculator is extremely simple. All you need to do is input the number of frames and determine the frame rate of your video.
For example, if your video has 1000 frames, its timecode will be:
- 00:00:41:16 for 24 frames per second;
- 00:00:33:10 for 30 frames per second; and
- 00:00:20:00 for 50 frames per second.
If you liked this frames to timecode calculator, be sure to check out the time lapse calculator, too!
How do I find the timecode from the frame number?
To find the timecode from the frame number, follow these simple steps:
-
Find the frame rate of the video. The most common values are
24and60frames per second. -
Divide the number of frames by the frame rate. This way, you will find the number of seconds from the beginning of the video.
-
Divide by
60the result to find the number of minutes and again by60to find the number of hours.
Why do we use 24 frames per second?
The value of 24 frames per second is one of the video industry's most commonly used frame rates. This number is partly arbitrary, but it's a compromise between a "jumpy" video (with an excessively low frame rate) and a "heavy" video (with a high frame rate). Nothing stops you from using different frame rates, but remember that most video editors take 24 as default!
What is the timecode of the frame number 25015 in a 60 fps video?
6 minutes & 56 seconds, or 416 seconds. There would also be 55 additional frames, with four missing to reach another second. To find the result, follow these steps:
-
Find the quotient and remainder of the division between frame number and frame rate:
25015 / 60 = 416,with remainder
55. -
55is the number of excess frames before the next second. -
416is the number of seconds from the beginning of the video. -
Find the quotient and remainder of
416divided by60to find minutes (6) and seconds (56) of the timestamp.
What is the timecode of a frame?
The timecode of a frame is a sequence of numbers that uniquely identifies a specific frame in a video. Usually, hours, minutes, and seconds are used to specify the timecode, but we can also use smaller units if necessary. However, quantities smaller than a second are also specified, indirectly, by the number of "excess" frames after a defined timestamp.