Frame Rate & Speed Converter
Convert between archival frame rates (16fps, 18fps) and modern delivery formats. Get exact speed changes, duration shifts, and step-by-step NLE instructions for Resolve, Premiere, and Final Cut.
Conversion Results
When conforming archival footage, direct frame rate interpretation (without speed change) preserves the original motion cadence. Apply retiming only if you need real-time playback speed.
NLE Step-by-Step Instructions
- Set project timeline frame rate to 23.976 fps (Project Settings → Master Settings → Timeline Frame Rate).
- Import your 18 fps footage into the Media Pool.
- Right-click the clip in the Media Pool and select "Clip Attributes." Set the frame rate to 18 fps to ensure Resolve interprets it correctly.
- Drag the clip onto the timeline. It will conform to 23.976 fps automatically.
- If you want to preserve original speed: right-click the clip on the timeline → "Change Clip Speed" → set to 75.1%.
- For best quality, go to the Inspector panel and set Retime Process to "Optical Flow" under the Speed Change section.
- Render via Deliver page with your desired output codec.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert old film footage to modern frame rates?
Set the source frame rate to match your original footage (16fps for Standard 8mm, 18fps for Super 8) and the target to your delivery frame rate (typically 23.976 or 29.97fps). The converter shows the exact speed change percentage and step-by-step instructions for DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, and Final Cut Pro.
What happens to motion when I change frame rates?
Converting from a lower to higher frame rate without retiming makes footage play faster (e.g., 18fps to 24fps = 33% faster). To maintain real-time playback, you need to slow the footage by the inverse ratio or use frame interpolation. Our tool calculates the exact speed adjustment needed.
What is optical flow interpolation?
Optical flow is a motion estimation technique that generates new intermediate frames by analyzing the movement between existing frames. It produces smoother results than simple frame blending or nearest-neighbor duplication, especially for footage with complex motion. Available in Resolve, Premiere, and Final Cut.
Should I convert 18fps Super 8 to 24fps or 30fps?
For theatrical or streaming delivery, convert to 23.976fps — the speed increase is modest (33%) and motion looks natural. For broadcast, convert to 29.97fps — this requires 66% more frames, so optical flow interpolation is recommended. If preserving the original feel matters, 24fps is closest to the original cadence.
What frame rate was Standard 8mm film shot at?
Standard 8mm film was typically shot at 16fps (frames per second), though some cameras offered 12fps for economy mode and 24fps or 32fps for slow-motion effects. When projecting or scanning at 16fps, the footage plays at real-time speed.
How do I set the correct frame rate in DaVinci Resolve?
In Resolve, right-click your clip in the media pool and choose 'Clip Attributes.' Set the frame rate to match the original shooting rate (e.g., 18fps). Then place the clip on a timeline set to your delivery rate (e.g., 23.976fps). Use the 'Retime Controls' for speed adjustments if needed.
What is the difference between conforming and retiming?
Conforming (interpreting) changes how the NLE reads the clip's frame rate without adding or removing frames — it changes playback speed. Retiming keeps the same playback speed by duplicating, blending, or interpolating frames to fill the new frame rate. Conforming is simpler; retiming preserves real-time motion.
Can I convert PAL (25fps) footage to NTSC (29.97fps)?
Yes, but it requires a 20% speed increase or frame interpolation. The simplest method is a 4% speed-up to 25fps × 1.001 = 25.025 then use 3:2 pulldown patterns, but most modern NLEs handle PAL-to-NTSC conversion automatically with optical flow enabled.
Does frame rate conversion affect audio?
Yes. If you conform footage (change interpretation), audio pitch and duration change proportionally. An 18fps-to-24fps conform makes audio 33% faster and higher-pitched. To fix this, separate the audio, apply pitch correction, or use the retiming approach instead, which preserves audio speed.
What frame rate do streaming platforms require?
Most platforms accept 23.976fps, 24fps, 25fps, and 29.97fps. Netflix prefers the original creative frame rate (often 23.976). YouTube supports up to 60fps. Amazon and Apple TV+ accept 23.976–29.97fps. Always check our Delivery Specs tool for platform-specific requirements.