Frame Rate
The number of individual images (frames) displayed per second in a video, measured in fps (frames per second). Common values: 24fps (cinematic), 30fps (TV), 60fps (sports/gaming), 120fps (slow-motion).
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Frame rate (frames per second, fps) is the number of still images captured or displayed each second in a video. Higher frame rates produce smoother motion but larger file sizes.
Common Frame Rates and Their Uses
| Frame Rate | Common Use |
|---|---|
| 23.976 fps | Film and cinema (the "cinematic" look) |
| 25 fps | PAL broadcast standard (Europe, Asia) |
| 29.97 fps | NTSC broadcast standard (North America, Japan) |
| 30 fps | Online video, webcams, video calls |
| 50 fps | European broadcast (high frame rate) |
| 60 fps | Sports, gaming, action video |
| 120 fps | High-speed video, smartphone slow-motion |
| 240 fps | Extreme slow-motion on flagship phones |
Why 24fps Looks "Cinematic"
Film cameras historically ran at 24fps. The slight motion blur produced at this rate creates the "film look" that audiences associate with cinema. Higher frame rates (48fps, 60fps) can look hyper-real — sometimes called the "soap opera effect."
Impact on File Size
Doubling the frame rate approximately doubles the file size (at constant quality). A 60fps video is roughly 2× larger than the same content at 30fps.
Frame Rate and Slow Motion
Slow-motion video is created by recording at a high frame rate (120fps, 240fps) and playing back at the standard rate (30fps). At 240fps played at 30fps, motion slows down to 1/8th of real speed.