Change the frame rate of a video
A phone films at 60 frames per second, and most of those frames are never needed: dropping to 30 makes the file noticeably smaller with no visible difference on a talking-head video.
How to change the frame rate
- Add the video, or up to five at once.
- Pick the frame rate you need.
- Press Change the frame rate and download the result.
Which rate to choose
| Frame rate | Made for |
|---|---|
| 60 fps | Fast action, games, sport — smooth motion, larger files |
| 30 fps | The safe default for the web, phones and social video |
| 25 fps | European broadcast and DVD material |
| 24 fps | The film look, and most animation |
| 15 fps | A deliberate choppy, stop-motion feel |
| 12 fps | Very stylised, or a base for GIF-like effects |
What dropping frames actually does
Going down from 60 to 30 throws away every other frame. That is exactly what makes the file smaller: half the images to encode. The sound is not touched, because the timeline does not change — only how often a new image is shown.
Going up does not create information. From 30 to 60 fps each frame is shown twice, so the result looks identical and is bigger. Use it only to match a project that requires 60 fps.
When to lower it, and when not to
Lower it for talking-head videos, screen recordings, slideshows, lectures, security footage, and anything filmed at 60 fps by default that will be watched on a phone. The gain is real: on the same clip, 60 → 30 fps often removes a third of the video bitrate while the difference is invisible.
Do not lower it for sport, dance, gameplay or fast camera movement: at 15 or 24 fps the motion turns into a series of jumps. For a slow-motion effect, do not use this tool — lowering the frame rate of a normal clip does not produce slow motion, it produces stutter. Use Change video speed for that instead.
Frame rate and file size
Frame rate is one of three levers on size, with resolution and compression level. Dropping the frame rate is often the least visible of the three for static content, and the most visible for action. Combine it with Compress video when you need a specific size.
What happens to your file
Uploads are deleted when the job ends, results within the hour. No account, no watermark, no e-mail needed.
Questions about Change the frame rate
Will 30 fps look choppier than 60?
On static or slow scenes, no. On fast movement, slightly, but far less than you would expect. Try it on one clip before converting a batch.
Does converting to 60 fps make my video smoother?
No. There is no frame interpolation here: existing frames are repeated. A 30 fps clip stays a 30 fps clip in terms of motion.
Does the audio stay in sync?
Yes, the duration is unchanged, so the sound does not move.
Can I use this to make a slow-motion clip?
No. Lowering the frame rate without changing the speed gives stutter. Use the speed tool and choose a value below 1× for slow motion.
How much space does it save?
Typically a third of the video bitrate going from 60 to 30 fps, more at 24 or 15 fps. The exact figure depends on the source and on the encoder.