Frame rate (FPS)
Frame rate (FPS, frames per second) is the number of still images, or frames, shown each second to create the illusion of motion in video. Film usually runs at 24 fps, TV and web video at 25 or 30 fps, and sports or gaming at 50 or 60 fps. Higher frame rates make motion look smoother but need more data.
Why it matters
Frame rate shapes how smooth motion looks and how much data a video needs. Sports and gaming viewers notice choppy motion at low rates, while film audiences expect the look of 24 fps. Higher frame rates raise bitrate and cost, so choosing the right one per content type matters.
How it works
- A camera captures a set number of still frames each second, such as 30.
- The encoder stores those frames, keeping the same rate as the source.
- The player shows the frames at that rate, creating smooth motion.
- If a device cannot keep up, frames are dropped and motion looks jerky.
30 fps vs 60 fps: which is better?
60 fps is better for fast motion, while 30 fps is fine for most other video. Sports, gaming and screen recordings look smoother at 60 fps. Interviews, lessons and vlogs look normal at 30 fps and use less data. Film-style content often uses 24 fps for its familiar look.
What frame rate should I use for video?
Use the frame rate you recorded at, and pick it based on the content. Common choices are 24 fps for a cinematic look, 25 or 30 fps for general web video, and 50 or 60 fps for sports and gaming. Changing frame rate after recording can cause stutter.
Where it's used
Gaming creator apps and live sports streamers offer 60 fps for smooth action, while short video apps often use 30 fps to keep files small and quick to load.
Where it usually goes wrong, and how FastPix handles it
Even when video is encoded at the right frame rate, slow devices can drop frames during playback. Without player data, teams never see the stutter viewers experience.
Stutter at high frame rates shows up in FastPix Video Data as dropped frames, reported for every view from the player. Splitting it by device, operating system and browser shows where playback struggles. Stutter on those devices gets fixed before it becomes a reason for viewers to leave.
By the numbers
- YouTube lists 24, 25, 30, 48, 50 and 60 fps as common upload frame rates and advises uploading at the rate the video was recorded. (YouTube recommended upload encoding settings)
