Frame rate
The frame rate is the number of single images per second, written fps. It governs how movement feels: 24 and 25 fps look cinematic, 50 and 60 fps feel smooth and immediate, like a live broadcast.
Which frame rate for what
| fps | Common for | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | cinema, brand films | cinematic, slight motion blur |
| 25 | television and advertising in Europe | like 24, matches the local mains frequency |
| 30 | North America, many social platforms | slightly smoother than 25 |
| 50 and 60 | sport, screen capture, slow motion | very smooth, less cinematic |
Slow motion has to be captured higher than it is played: 100 fps recorded and played at 25 fps gives a fourfold slowdown that stays smooth.
Frame rate with generated scenes
Generative video models often deliver 24 fps and short durations. For a film running at 25 fps those scenes have to be matched. That works cleanly but produces visible interpolated frames on strong movement if done carelessly. So we fix the target frame rate before production and generate to match.
Be careful with slow motion from generated material: what was never captured cannot be slowed down. The only remedy is to design the scene slower from the start.
Frequently asked questions
What does fps mean?
fps stands for frames per second. 25 fps means 25 images are shown each second. The higher the number, the smoother and less cinematic the movement feels.
Which frame rate for social media?
30 fps is the safe choice on most platforms, 25 works as well. More important there is the aspect ratio and whether the video makes sense without sound.
Can you see the difference between 24 and 25 fps?
Barely, in direct comparison. What matters is that a film keeps one frame rate throughout. Mixed frame rates in one edit show up immediately as judder.
Related terms
Read on: All terms in the glossary • Pricing
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