Timecode Calculator
Add, subtract, and convert video timecodes. Supports 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97 DF/NDF, 30, 50, and 60 fps.
Timecode Calculator
Total frames
0
Duration (HH:MM:SS.ms)
00:00:00.000
Timecode @ 25 fps
00:00:00:00
Total seconds
0.000s
How to Use the Timecode Calculator
1.
Select your frame rate
Choose the frame rate of your sequence: 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, or 60 fps. For NTSC broadcast work at 29.97 fps, use drop-frame timecode (DF) to stay locked to real clock time.
2.
Enter hours, minutes, seconds, and frames
Type the timecode values into the HH, MM, SS, and FF fields. The FF (frames) field accepts values from 0 to fps−1, so at 25 fps, frames run from 00 to 24.
3.
Read total frames and total seconds
The result panel shows the timecode converted to raw frame count and decimal seconds, useful for EDL exports, VFX pipelines, subtitle files, and render queues.
4.
Use the result in your workflow
Copy the frame count into your NLE or VFX software. Decimal seconds is useful for calculating sync offsets, audio placement, or passing values to FFmpeg seek commands.
Why This Matters for Video Creators
Timecode is the universal language of professional video: every NLE, broadcast system, and VFX pipeline speaks it. Understanding how to read and convert timecode is a foundational skill for editors, colourists, and post-production coordinators. This calculator handles the tedious frame-rate maths so you can focus on the edit rather than the arithmetic, and it supports all broadcast standards including NTSC drop-frame, the format that trips up even experienced editors.
Getting notes on a cut? Clients can leave notes right under the video, on a link with downloads off.
SMPTE Timecode Format Explained
| Position | Field | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HH | Hours | 00–23 | Programme hour, resets at midnight in broadcast |
| MM | Minutes | 00–59 | Minutes within the hour |
| SS | Seconds | 00–59 | Seconds within the minute |
| FF | Frames | 00–(fps−1) | At 25 fps: 00–24. At 29.97 DF: 00–29, with frames :00 and :01 skipped at most minute boundaries |
| DF separator | Drop-frame flag | ; (semicolon) | Drop-frame timecode uses a semicolon before the frame count: 00:01:00;02. Non-drop uses a colon: 00:01:00:02 |
Drop-frame (DF) timecode does not drop actual frames. It skips frame number labels (00 and 01) at the start of most minutes to keep the timecode display in sync with real wall-clock time at 29.97 fps. Non-drop (NDF) counts every frame sequentially and drifts ~3.6 seconds per hour from real time. For most online video at 24, 25, or 30 fps, NDF is fine. For US broadcast delivery at 29.97 fps, always use DF.
Frequently Asked Questions
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