Timecode to Frames Calculator
If you sometimes dabble in video editing, this timecode to frames calculator will save you the time needed to convert from a timecode to a frame number. You can also use it to check how the number of frames in your video depends on the frame rate.
For the reverse conversion, from frames to timecode, check the frames to timecode calculator.
What is a timecode?
Every frame in a video is described by a sequence of numbers called a timecode. If, for example, you would like to locate the end of a particular scene in a movie, you would most likely write down the timecode that describes the last frame of that 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 00:08:35:13. It describes a frame that will be shown within 8 minutes, 35 seconds, and 13 frames from the beginning of the video.
What is a frame rate?
Every video consists of video frames — pictures shown one after the other. The number of frames shown during one second is called the frame rate.
The higher the frame rate, the smoother the transitions are. For example, animations with frame rates of about 12 fps (frames per second) may look a bit "crude." On the other hand, experimental movies with 60 fps or more seem incredibly smooth.
The most common frame rate is 24 fps. This number of frames guarantees that the human eye will not perceive the video as a series of images but rather as a "moving image."
How to convert from timecode to frames?
Using this timecode to frames calculator is a piece of cake! All you have to do is input the timecode into the four designated fields and determine the frame rate you'd like to use. The frame number is found with a simple formula:
frames = (HH × 3600 + MM × 60 + SS) × fps + FR
For example, the timecode 00:08:35:13 describes:
- The 6,193rd frame in the case of 12 frames per second;
- The 12,373rd frame in the case of 24 frames per second; or
- The 15,463rd frame in the case of 30 frames per second.
The calculator shows the frame number for several common frame rates at once, so you can compare them instantly.
Film footage — metric and American units
The calculator also reports how much 35 mm film your frames occupy. Standard 35 mm (4-perf) film runs at 16 frames per foot, so the film length in the American system is shown as feet + frames, and in the metric system as meters (1 ft = 0.3048 m). Switch the footage system with the toggle — both units are always displayed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert a timecode to a frame number?
Multiply the whole number of seconds in your timecode by the frame rate, then add the frame offset: frames = (HH × 3600 + MM × 60 + SS) × fps + FR. For 00:08:35:13 at 24 fps this gives (515) × 24 + 13 = 12,373.
Why does the same timecode give different frame numbers?
Because the frame number depends on the frame rate. A higher frame rate packs more frames into every second, so the same moment in time corresponds to a larger frame number.
What frame rate should I use?
24 fps is the cinematic standard, 25 fps is common for PAL television, and 30 fps for NTSC. Games and high-frame-rate video often use 48, 50, or 60 fps. If your project uses a rate that is not in the list, pick Custom and type it in.
What does the "FR" field mean?
FR is the frame offset within the last second — a value from 0 up to one less than the frame rate. At 24 fps, FR can range from 0 to 23.