ENGINEERING TOOLS

SMPTE Timecode Calculator

Frame-address arithmetic for common broadcast and post-production rates, including 29.97 and 59.94 drop-frame. Match the rate and DF/NDF mode to the source project before relying on a result.

25 FPS
READY
00:00:00:00
CROSS-RATE PREVIEW (24fps) 00:00:00:00
TOTAL FRAMES 0
DURATION 00:00.00
FRAME-ADDRESS MATH • VERIFY WORKFLOW SETTINGS

The Tape (History)

No calculations yet

Project Frame Rate

Cross-Rate Preview

Real-World Use Cases

Live Production

Calculate how many frames of pre-roll are needed for a VT insert at 50fps. To ensure your cameras and vision mixer are phased correctly for this insert, follow our broadcast sync guide on Genlock.

Post-Production

Convert clip durations between project frame rates when conforming an offline 23.98fps Avid cut to a 25fps online Resolve session.

Rundown Management

Add individual segment durations across a 60-minute live show to verify the total runtime matches the allocated broadcast slot.

Archive & Logging

Find the exact frame address of a cue point by adding a known timecode offset to a clip's start timecode during media logging.

Bookmark this calculator

Use it for every production rundown, EDL, or frame rate conversion.

What is the SMPTE Timecode Calculator?

A frame-address arithmetic utility for editors and technical directors working with common broadcast frame rates, including drop-frame logic.

It calculates addresses from the entered rate and counting mode. Confirm the source rate, drop/non-drop flag, rollover convention, and application interpretation before using a result in a conform or playout workflow.

Real-World Use Cases

Indispensable during post-production conforming, calculation of total program runtime (TRT), or when calculating offsets for EBU/SMPTE metadata synchronization in large-scale multi-camera edits.

Use known reference vectors from the destination application or facility workflow before relying on the result for a conform, cue, or playout decision.

Technical Methodology

Converts total timecode into absolute frame counts before performing math operations, then reconverts the result based on the target frame rate standard (23.98, 29.97, 59.94, etc.).

Our formulas are based on established SMPTE and EBU standards. By calculating these values theoretically, engineering teams can design predictable workflows and set clear expectations for clients regarding production quality and protocol limitations.

Related Engineering Tools

Audio Latency Calculator Genlock vs Timecode Visualizer NDI Network Planner All Broadcast Tools