Tech Tools / Timecode
Timecode & Frame Rate
Convert timecode ↔ frames ↔ real time at 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97 DF/NDF, 30, 50, 59.94 DF/NDF, and 60. Add or subtract timecodes with correct drop-frame counting.
Use at your own risk. Drop-frame math follows SMPTE counting rules. Always confirm against your recorder, switcher, or DAW. This tool does not compensate for pulldown, genlock drift, or LTC/VITC offsets.
- Display TC
- —
- Real time
- —
- Math result
- —
- Math detail
- —
Drop-frame
At 29.97 DF, frames 0 and 1 are dropped at the start of every minute except every 10th minute (00, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50). At 59.94 DF, four frames are dropped. Semicolon (;) marks DF.
Sources
- SMPTE drop-frame: discard 2 frames (30 fps family) or 4 frames (60 fps family) each minute except every 10th minute.
- 01:00:00;00 at 29.97 DF = 107,892 frames. Real time uses actual fps (30000/1001, etc.).
- NDF uses integer frame counting at the nominal fps integer (24, 25, 30, 60) or rounded rate for 23.976/59.94 NDF display.
What this timecode converter does
It converts between HH:MM:SS:FF, frame counts, and real elapsed time, with correct SMPTE drop-frame counting for 29.97 and 59.94.
Worked example
01:00:00;00 DF ≈ 107,892 frames ≈ 3603.6 s of real time at 30000/1001 fps — about 3.6 s longer than wall-clock “one hour” of NDF labels.
FAQ
Why does drop-frame skip frames?
To keep timecode labels close to real time when the true rate is 30000/1001 or 60000/1001 instead of 30 or 60.
How do I enter drop-frame timecode?
Type HH:MM:SS:FF with colons. The readout shows a semicolon when the selected rate is DF.
Is 23.976 drop-frame?
No. Drop-frame applies to 29.97 and 59.94 families in common broadcast practice.
Syncing a show?
Kynetic handles broadcast timing, IMAG, and show calling for corporate and medical events.