Methods & worked examples
Time-Lapse Budget Calculator — Methods & worked examples
How it works
Reserve one complete interval for each photo: frames = floor(capture seconds ÷ interval seconds). Clip seconds = frames ÷ playback fps. If the first photo starts at time 0, the first-to-last start span is (frames − 1) × interval, not the full interval budget. Camera finishing time is separate.
Worked examples
A 60 minute budget is 3,600 seconds. With 5 seconds per photo, plan 720 photos and a 24 second clip at 30 fps. The first-to-last start span is 3,595 seconds. At 20 MB per photo, storage is 14,400 MB = 14.4 GB; 16 GB holds 800 such photos. A 20 second target at 30 fps needs 600 photos, allowing an interval of 6 seconds in the same capture budget.
Scope & limitations
For a fractional target frame count, round up; the resulting clip can be slightly longer. Known time margin = interval − exposure − writing/processing time. A zero or negative margin requires replanning. Units are decimal: 1 GB = 1,000 MB. Allow for variable file sizes, formatting and other files. The tool does not simulate skipped frames, camera-specific interval behavior, battery life or video rendering; confirm with test captures.
Method sources
Our original explanations and calculators use the methods above. This site is not affiliated with the cited brands or organizations.