What is drop-frame timecode?

At 29.97 fps, timecode counting 30 frames per second drifts 3.6 seconds per hour from real time. Drop-frame skips frame numbers 0 and 1 each minute (except every tenth) so displayed timecode tracks the clock. No frames of video are dropped — only numbers.

Which rates support drop-frame?

Only 29.97 and 59.94 fps. Integer rates (24, 25, 30, 50, 60) and 23.976 use non-drop counting.

SMPTE Timecode Calculator

Add and subtract timecode at any frame rate.

Frame rate

Timecode AHH:MM:SS:FF

Timecode BHH:MM:SS:FF

A + B

01:16:41:07

non-drop counting

Total frames

115,032

Real time

1:16:41

Rate

25 fps

Timecode math in your head goes wrong at the frame boundary; at 29.97 drop-frame it goes wrong everywhere. This calculator adds or subtracts two timecodes at any standard rate, handling drop-frame counting (semicolon timecode) correctly.

How to use it

1.Choose the frame rate, and drop-frame if applicable.
2.Enter two timecodes as HH:MM:SS:FF.
3.Read the sum or difference, plus total frames and real seconds.

Questions people ask

What is drop-frame timecode?: At 29.97 fps, timecode counting 30 frames per second drifts 3.6 seconds per hour from real time. Drop-frame skips frame numbers 0 and 1 each minute (except every tenth) so displayed timecode tracks the clock. No frames of video are dropped — only numbers.
Which rates support drop-frame?: Only 29.97 and 59.94 fps. Integer rates (24, 25, 30, 50, 60) and 23.976 use non-drop counting.

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