What is video frame FPS?

The Best Frame Rate for Video

Everything you need to know about choosing the right frame rate for videography

By Jason Polak 13 Comments
Published On September 1, 2022

In 2012, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” came to cinemas and sparked a controversy. Is it because director Peter Jackson had found a way to turn a short book into a three-film epic, of which this was only the first part? Actually, it wasn’t just that. Instead, Jackson took an unexpected journey himself: He decided to film the Hobbit at 48 frames per second (fps), rather than the usual 24 fps used by almost every other film in existence. His choice of frame rate portrayed motion in a smoother but very different way than most viewers were used to.

In fact, a video’s frame rate profoundly affects how people perceive and react to it. And 24 fps and 48 fps aren’t the only possible frame rates. Many television broadcasts use 25 fps or 30 fps, while other specialized programs like sports often use 60 fps.

With all these frame rates, which one should you use while filming a video, and while outputting it? Should you stick to the standard or try something experimental like Jackson? Let us take a look at everything from tradition to the bleeding edge to answer this very tricky, and sometimes contentious, question.

A Tale of Strange Frame Rates

Most modern cameras happily churn out a variety of frame rates like 24 fps, 30 fps, 50 fps, 60 fps, and 120 fps. However, chances are when you set your camera to 24 fps, it’s actually shooting a hair under 24 frames each second – usually 23.976 fps instead. Similar, bizarre-looking numbers also occur with other frame rates, although some cameras can shoot in true 24 fps, like the Panasonic GH6.

The differences between the nice round numbers and those with decimals involve the technicalities of broadcast and distribution. These differences are not really important here since we are discussing how frame rates affect the appearance of your video. So, from that perspective, I will simply use nice whole numbers like 24 fps.

Also, for most of this article, I will be talking only about the output frame rate, or the frame rate of the final product. It still makes sense to shoot at higher frame rates than your output frame rate for the purposes of slow motion, which I will briefly mention later on.

How Frame Rates Affect Our Perception of a Video

The higher the frame rate (i.e. the more frames per second), the smoother the depiction of motion. Can us mere mortals notice this difference? Indeed we can.

Let’s look at 24 fps, 30 fps, and 60 fps clips of a Mallard duck happily drinking water. (I both filmed and played back the video at those frame rates.) My shutter speed for each clip was the closest available setting to the 180 degree shutter rule, so 1/50, 1/60, and 1/125 respectively. Note that YouTube defaults to playback at 30 fps for some users, so you may have to select 4k60 on the third clip’s video settings in order to watch it properly:

We can see that the 25% increase from 24 fps to 30 fps already makes a huge difference. This is typically more noticeable with quicker motions like those of birds compared to the smoother motions of humans, which is one reason why I think 24 fps is a poor choice for filming and playback of wildlife videos. The difference between 30 fps and 60 fps is also pretty big, with 60 fps giving even more smoothness that many people are not used to.

Best Shutter Speed for Different Frame Rates

How does shutter speed fit into the equation? Shutter speed affects our perception of detail, and different frame rates are supposed to use different shutter speeds for the most natural-feeling results. The standard rule is that the shutter speed should be “one over twice the frame rate.” For example, 1/48 shutter speed for 24 fps video. This is the 180 degree shutter rule I mentioned earlier, and it gives a good feeling of motion at the chosen frame rate.

Of course, other speeds can be used for creative effect. One such deviation from this rule is the faster shutter speed used for a chaotic effect, like in the war film Saving Private Ryan. One could also use slower shutter speeds such as 1/24 for 24 fps, which gives a dreamier, smoother effect.

If you follow the 180 degree rule, the result is that different frame rates will have different levels of detail. For instance, consider these frames extracted from videos taken at different frame rates, all of which use the 180 degree shutter rule:

Because I dropped the soccer ball from the same height every time and took the frame from about the same position in each video, the laws of gravity imply that the ball was traveling at the same speed in each of these shots. Interestingly, the nature of the ball being a patchwork of pentagons and hexagons only becomes fairly clear at 60 fps and 120 fps, whereas at lower frame rates, the spherical essence of the ball is all that we can perceive.

These differences are particularly relevant for illustrating motion. One film research group looking at dancing remarked that “imperfect movements, whether a shaky moving shot or jerky dance move, became even more pronounced” with higher frame rate video. Thus, lower frame rates such as 24fps may serve to enhance a viewer’s ability to suspend disbelief and only see the essential details.

Which Frame Rates Do People Prefer?

As we can see, higher frame rates give more detail and smoother motion. Is smoother motion always better? One study showed clips from fiction films at 24 fps and 60 fps and found some people could not distinguish between the two frame rates – but those who could preferred 24 fps.

Many people also describe 24 fps has having a magical cinematic quality, whereas higher frame rates are looked upon with suspicion. Odie Henderson’s review of Gemini Man described the effect of the film’s 120 fps as “a hellish cross between a video game and a telenovela,” which is not really something I’d like to hear about one of my films.

So at least for fictional movies, 24 fps is not only safe but entrenched. The general negative impression of The Hobbit’s 48 fps choice only served to make 24 fps more popular. Therefore, it would be hard to go wrong with 24 fps if you’re making your own movie or something for film school. And although as a wildlife photographer, I avoid 24 fps (more on that later), I’m pretty sure I’d still use 24 fps if someone asked me to direct the next James Bond.

Still, is 24 fps the last word? Not necessarily. Another group from the University of British Columbia did a careful experiment where they captured and showed to viewers footage at 24 fps, 30 fps, 48 fps, and 60 fps. However, this time the footage was captured and shown in 3D. They found that people overwhelmingly preferred higher frame rates, with 60 fps being rated as the best.

The preference for higher frame rates is not restricted to 3D content. A group at the University of Bristol looked at a variety of video clips and asked users to rate their quality. These videos were random scenes like people riding bicycles, and not clips taken from feature films. In this case, there was a strong preference for higher frame rates. Therefore, it appears that outside of fiction, there is less support for the venerable 24 fps. I filmed the water below at 60 fps, and playback is at the same speed if YouTube supports it for you:

So, What Frame Rate Should You Use?

For choosing frame rates, we have seen that context and format clearly matter. In fictional cinema, there is no doubt that 24 fps – the “vanilla” of filmmaking – still reigns supreme. Because 24 fps is ubiquitous, and because its lack of detail may also aid in immersing viewers in a fictional world, it is hard to argue against 24 fps in this case.

For wildlife videos, higher frame rates are closer to reality. That’s definitely a benefit if you’re aiming for realism, rather than for suspending the audience’s disbelief. Animals such as birds and insects also move much more quickly and jerkily than humans, and so the choppiness of 24 fps is more apparent with them. Plus, animals sometimes have quick behaviors may not be visible at 24 fps.

For these reasons, I prefer 60 fps for wildlife video, both for filming and playback. However, I have found that 30 fps is still a pretty good choice, since it removes much of the apparent choppiness.

Another important consideration is filming slow motion. Slow motion video is done by filming at high frame rates like 120 fps and playing back at 30 fps (without dropping frames). If you use 30 fps playback, you can shoot at 60 fps or 120 fps for slow motion. Whereas if you use 60 fps playback, you need to make sure that your camera can shoot 120 fps (or higher) if you want slow motion.

For other types of videos like documentary or instructional, the choice is less clear. From their experiments, the high frame rate research group at the Emily Carr University believes that in some cases, the increased realism of higher frame rates provides more intimacy with the characters on screen. This could be good or bad depending on your requirements.

In all cases, I also can’t stress the creative aspect enough. Despite the complexities surrounding frame rates, what looks good – and serves the needs of your project – should still be at the forefront of your mind. Therefore, I also suggest experimentation, especially if you are producing content outside the mainstream.

For Slow Motion

So far, I have mostly talked about the output frame rate (the one that looks best in your final clip). But even if you want to display your video at 24 fps, it still makes sense to consider shooting at other frame rates for slow motion. For example, if you shoot at 120 fps, you can slow that down to 24 fps to get 5x slow motion. Here is an example of 6x slow motion shot at 180 fps, slowed down to 30 fps:

Which frame rate should you use for slow motion? The answer is the slowest one that allows you to display what you want. People move fairly slowly and smoothly, so 60 fps is usually enough for videos of people.

On the other hand, birds and small animals move more quickly. I find that 120 fps or 180 fps is good to show flying birds, although even higher frame rates like 300 fps look good for very small birds. If you really need to slow down motion, Kron Technologies makes a specialized camera that can shoot at 1000 fps, and yet is relatively affordable compared to most slow motion cameras.

You might just be tempted to shoot at the highest frame rate possible and then choose the level of slow motion later. It’s not necessarily a bad approach, but before you do that by default, consider the following example. I took my Panasonic G9 and shot two videos of a nonmoving subject: one at 30 fps and one at 180 fps. I used the same ISO and aperture, but of course different shutter speeds. To compensate for the different shutter speeds, I carefully turned up my video light until a proper exposure was obtained in both. Note that the level of detail is better in the 30 fps shot:

It’s clear that the quality with 180 fps looks more compressed. That’s because higher frame rate video like 180 fps often has reduced quality on many cameras, so you should not go higher than necessary when maximum quality is important to your shot.

Finally, I should mention that the 180 degree shutter rule says to shoot at one over twice the frame rate at which you are shooting, even if the final output frame rate is different. For example, if you your final video will be in 30 fps, but you are shooting at 60 fps for a 2x slow motion effect, you should shoot at 1/125 while you are shooting at 60 fps.

Conclusion

We have seen that there are some established standard frame rates, but the frame rate you choose should also be based on your content and your creative direction. The lowly 24 fps is still overwhelmingly used for cinema, whereas higher frame rates like 30 fps, 50 fps, and 60 fps are becoming more popular with 3D content and are good for wildlife videos.

With these points in mind, I am confident you will choose the frame rate that’s best for you. If you have any ideas about choosing frame rates, I would be happy to discuss them in the comments.

Your Guide to Nailing the Frame Rate for Your Videos

Frame rate is used in video content every day. But what is it, and is it better to have a higher or lower frame rate?

Alec Chillingworth

Dec 13, 2022 • 6 min read

Frame rate is used in video content every day. But what is it, and is it better to have a higher or lower frame rate? Let’s cover all of that today.

What is frame rate?

Frame rate measures how many frames appear on screen per second. It’s a term traditionally used in film and TV, but now includes smartphones, online video streams and more. Basically, if you’re filming something, there’ll be some kind of frame rate.

What does FPS mean?

FPS stands for ‘frames per second.’ This measures how many frames appear on screen every second during video playback. So, for example, most smartphones capture video at a default setting of 24FPS – this means that 24 frames are used per second. Theoretically, if you paused the video 24 times in a second, each pause would give you a different still image.

What is a good frame rate for video?

Choosing the right frame rate is crucial, and it depends on what kind of footage you’re capturing. Let’s check out the most common frame rates, and which types of video suit them best.

24FPS

This is the closest frame rate to human sight. For that reason, it’s the standard. Most movies and TV shows shoot at 24FPS, giving audiences a sense of realism and immersion. Even if they’re shot at a higher frame rate, the end product is usually displayed at 24FPS.

However, if you pan too fast or are shooting busy scenes – crowds, races, moving machinery – then you’ll experience some motion blur. That’s because at 24FPS, there just aren’t enough frames to capture every detail. Anything lower than 24FPS, and you’ll definitely end up with a weird lagging effect on your footage.

30FPS

At just 6 frames more than 24FPS, you wouldn’t think there’s much of a difference. After all, this used to be the standard frame rate when TVs were first produced – so what happened? Well, once color was introduced to TVs, the frame rate was lowered to integrate the extra data that came with color.

30FPS works better for live TV or sport, giving it a smoother feel. But for most visual content, you can risk ending up with the ‘soap opera effect.’ This is the weird, uncanny movement you see in soaps, which looks almost too smooth, too detailed.

720p HD, 1080p, and 4K video is usually recorded at 30FPS, giving you richer footage.

60FPS

Recording video at 60FPS is asking for trouble. Your screen has to produce twice as many frames as 30FPS, creating a wild-looking finish that won’t look natural. It’s the perfect frame rate for video games and sport, though, and higher frame rates can give movies a certain style. For example, action movies will employ 60FPS to emphasize cool setpieces like death-defying stunts, fight sequences, or Arnie’s biceps. David Lynch’s experimental film ‘Inland Empire’ was originally filmed at 60FPS, which gave the film an uncomfortable visual style that matched the vibe.

Speaking of the vibe, frame rate isn’t the only thing that helps establish mood and emotion. Bad music kills good video – don’t let an off-kilter song derail your footage. Check out our catalog of 40,000 tracks and 95,000 sound effects below and nail the scene.

Is 30FPS or 60FPS better?

60FPS is perfect for fast movement like people running – 30FPS can’t capture this to the same standard, but will look more realistic if you’re just focusing on dialogue or slower scenic shots. If you’re filming things like splashing water, skate tricks or car chases, you can ramp things up to 120, 240, 480 or even 960FPS.

If you’re shooting for social media, it’s best to stick to 30FPS or lower. Social media displays video at a maximum of 30FPS – there’s no point filming any higher than this, as it’ll be squashed down for the platform.

Some industry professionals have cited a middle-ground as the future of cinema. The Hobbit was famously filmed at 48FPS, but only theaters with high-tech equipment could play it faithfully – most movie-goers saw it at 24FPS. Critics described the full 48FPS experience as ‘sickly’ and ‘alienating’. perhaps we’re a little while away from it becoming the norm!

There are cameras designed specifically to nail higher frame rates in glorious 4K, like the Phantom Flex4K. However, they’ll cost you, so perhaps experiment with your current equipment before taking the plunge!

You can mess around with slow-motion effects in video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, but just remember your camera’s limitations. If you captured footage at 30FPS, slow-motion will be a little jagged – there’s just not enough frames there to fill in the gaps when you slow down the footage.

What else affects frame rate?

It would be so simple if FPS were the only factor that determined how your footage pans out. However, everything from your camera’s shutter speed to the standard of the monitor you’re viewing your footage on will affect how it looks. In a decade’s time, who knows how your footage will look on today’s ‘regular’ TVs?

Understanding how many FPS your camera can manage, and how that looks on the screens you think it will be played on most, is a good start. But remember: there’s no ‘right’ way to approach FPS. There are best practices, sure. But if you can justify it in the context of your video, and it works, then you’ve achieved what you set out to do!

The perfect soundtrack can conjure a certain mood, vibe or setting that complements and elevates your pro-level footage. If you want to take your content to the next level, why not try Epidemic Sound? We’re sure you’ll find something in our royalty-free catalog of 40,000 tracks and 90,000 sound effects.

Best of all, we own all the rights to our music and offer you a direct license. Synchronization rights, mechanical rights and public performance rights? All included. Additional fees or royalties? Forget about it. More than royalty-free. More like worry-free. Check out the 30-day free trial below.

Are you a video editor or filmmaker? Whether you’re an absolute master or just a beginner, discover what Epidemic Sound has to offer on our Epidemic Sound for Filmmaking page. Oh, and if you’re looking for some background music for your videos, we got you covered.

Related posts:

• What Is Film Grain, and How to Use It In Your Content
• The Best Ring Lights for Filming On Your Phone
• Audio Effects for Video Editing: The Basics

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Video Frame Rate Converter

Optimize your video’s playback by adjusting its frame rate to the highest setting available for your file. Use VEED as a frame rate converter to adjust your video’s frame rate online. Depending on your video file, you can set the frame rate to 16, 24, 30, or 60 FPS. You can even lower your video’s frame rate to create a stop-motion video effect or a GIF. Slowing down your video’s frame rate will also reduce its file size and make it easier to export. Increase the video’s frame rate limit to the highest setting available for the file to make it appear smoother and less jumpy. VEED supports all popular video file formats, including mp4, h264, MPEG, and more! Export your video in the highest quality.

How to change your video’s frame rate:

Upload or record

Upload your video to VEED or start recording using our online webcam recorder. You can also edit your video using our full suite of video editing tools.

Edit video and change the frame rate

When you’re done editing, choose the frame rate setting for your video under the Export options. Note that the maximum FPS for your video would depend on your file.

Export and share!

Export and download your video and share!

Watch this video to learn more about adjusting your video’s frame rate:

Timelapses and Slow MotionsTimelapses and Slow Motions

Fancy making an eye-catching time-lapse, or a hilarious slow-mo? If so, then why not try VEED’s online speed changer? Use VEED’s speed changer to double your video speed, halve it, or simply choose your own number to increase or decrease speed by! Click the video track on the timeline, and find the ‘Speed’ section on the Settings menu. Use our off-the-shelf options or click ‘Custom’ to insert your own number.

Compress Videos

VEED has an online video compression tool to make your videos easier to share and attach to emails. Use VEED’s compression tool to reduce file size and increase its compatibility with streaming services and social media sites. Spend less time waiting for your videos to render, buffer and download. Our compression tool also lets you change a video’s frame rate, and further maximise its quality and functionality. VEED is packed with tools to help streamline your video creation journey.

Animated GIFs

Making your own animated GIFs is an excellent way to connect with your audience. GIFs are known to have a lower frame rate. Upload a video and lower its frame rate to convert it into a GIF. Use VEED to cut, trim and edit any video footage to remodel as GIF. You can also add text, stickers, emojis and drawings to give your animated GIFs a personal touch. VEED lets you download your videos in the GIF format, so you can share it on social media and instant messaging.