Timecode Calculator
Convert a number of frames to timecode, or timecode to a number of frames. At 29.97 and 59.94 fps you can choose drop-frame or non-drop-frame timecode.
Supported frame rates and drop-frame
The tool supports these 8 frame rates. Other values cannot be entered.
| Frame rate | Exact value | Frames per timecode second | Non-drop-frame (NDF) | Drop-frame (DF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23.976 fps | 24000/1001 | 24 | Yes | No |
| 24 fps | 24 | 24 | Yes | No |
| 25 fps | 25 | 25 | Yes | No |
| 29.97 fps | 30000/1001 | 30 | Yes | Yes (skips 2 numbers) |
| 30 fps | 30 | 30 | Yes | No |
| 50 fps | 50 | 50 | Yes | No |
| 59.94 fps | 60000/1001 | 60 | Yes | Yes (skips 4 numbers) |
| 60 fps | 60 | 60 | Yes | No |
- 23.976, 29.97 and 59.94 fps are exactly 24000/1001, 30000/1001 and 60000/1001 fps. The tool calculates with these exact fractions. A "23.98" in other sources means the same 24000/1001 fps as 23.976.
- Drop-frame can be chosen only at 29.97 fps and 59.94 fps. All other frame rates are non-drop-frame only.
How timecode is counted
Timecode, written HH:MM:SS:FF, labels a position in a video. How many frames make one timecode second depends on the frame rate (the third column above).
- Non-drop-frame (NDF): at 29.97 fps, one second is still counted as 30 frames. The real frame rate is slightly lower than 30 fps, so the timecode falls behind real time (by about 3.6 seconds per hour).
- Drop-frame (DF): to correct this, some timecode numbers are skipped. At the start of every minute except minutes that are multiples of 10 (00, 10, 20…), two frame numbers (;00 and ;01) are skipped at 29.97 fps, and four (;00 to ;03) at 59.94 fps. Drop-frame timecode is written with a semicolon between the seconds and the frames, such as 00:01:00;02.
Drop-frame does not delete or thin out video frames. Every frame is kept; only the counting numbers jump. At 29.97 fps in drop-frame, the frame after 00:00:59;29 is 00:01:00;02.
Examples
- 1,800 frames at 30 fps = 00:01:00:00 (1,800 ÷ 30 = 60 seconds).
- 108,000 frames at 29.97 fps (non-drop-frame) = 01:00:00:00 (about 3,603.6 seconds of real time).
- 1,800 frames at 29.97 fps (drop-frame) = 00:01:00;02 (00:01:00;00 and ;01 are skipped).
- 107,892 frames at 29.97 fps (drop-frame) = 01:00:00;00 (about 3,599.996 seconds of real time, almost exactly one hour).
- 86,400 frames at 24 fps = 01:00:00:00 (exactly 3,600 seconds).
Real time
Real time in seconds is the number of frames divided by the frame rate. At 29.97 fps it is frames × 1001 ÷ 30000 seconds. One hour of drop-frame timecode is 107,892 frames, and it differs from real time by only about 3.6 milliseconds.
Notes
- The range is 0 to 99 hours. The timecode does not return to 00:00:00:00 after 24 hours; it continues 24:00:00:00, 25:00:00:00 and so on. The frame count goes up to the last frame of 99:59:59.
- If you enter a drop-frame timecode that does not exist (for example 00:01:00;00 or 00:01:00;01 at 29.97 fps), the tool shows an error.
- Minutes and seconds are 0 to 59. Frames go up to the number of frames per second minus 1 (0 to 29 at 30 fps).
- The tool does not calculate the frame count after converting a video between frame rates (for example from 24 fps to 30 fps).
- To work out the shape of a picture, use the Aspect Ratio Calculator; for file sizes, see the Video File Size Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is 29.97 fps?
The frame rate used in NTSC television. It is exactly 30000/1001 fps (about 29.97003 fps), not exactly 30 fps.
What is the difference between drop-frame and non-drop-frame?
Non-drop-frame never skips numbers and counts one second as 30 (or 60) frames. Drop-frame skips some numbers at the start of most minutes to stay close to real time. The number of video frames is the same either way.
Do 24 fps or 30 fps have drop-frame?
No. Drop-frame exists only at 29.97 fps and 59.94 fps.
Is 23.976 fps the same as 23.98 fps?
Yes. Both mean 24000/1001 fps. This tool shows 23.976.
What does the last number of a timecode mean?
It is the frame within that second, counted from 0 (0 to 29 at 29.97 fps).