What Is Frame Rate? (24 vs 30 vs 60 FPS Explained)

“Frame rate.” You hear the term in video streaming and video games, but what is frame rate in video production?

In short, frame rate is one of the pillars of video production that (paired with other camera settings like shutter speed, ISO, lens focal length, and aperture,) plays a significant role in how video looks and feels. 

Even if you’re not familiar with the term, or how it affects the videos you watch, frame rate impacts how you digest video content. So, let’s learn about frame rate in video.

What is frame rate?

Frame rate has been part of video production since the very first reel of film was shot. Simply put, the frame rate is the frequency (rate) of images (frames) displayed per each second of a video. 

As the term “motion picture” suggests, any video you watch is made up of multiple still images constantly replacing one other. These moving still frames trick your eyes into seeing motion instead of a string of individual pictures. It takes a lot of still images to trick the eye this way. 

And, there isn’t just one standard frame rate in video. A few common frame rates in video production are 24, 30, and 60 frames per second, or FPS.

If you’re watching a video at 30 FPS, in a single second you’ll see 30 different frames. For a simple two-minute video, that’s 3,600 images you just consumed. For a two-hour film? That’s 172,800 images your brain just processed, and double that number if the video is 60 FPS. 

Now apply that math to the "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King … Extended Edition."

Simple enough, right? But that only answers the question of, “What is frame rate in video production?” Arguably the more important question is, “Why is frame rate important to video quality?” 

Why is frame rate important?

Why do gamers obsess over frame rates, and why is the decision of what frame rate to film so important for filmmakers? It comes down to two things: how you want your video to feel, and how much motion you're capturing.

Frame rate controls how smooth or lifelike motion looks.

• Lower frame rates, like 24 FPS, show slightly more motion blur between frames, which reads as more cinematic — it's the look a century of film has trained our eyes to expect.

• Higher frame rates, like 60 FPS, capture more information per second, so motion looks sharper and smoother, closer to how your eyes see the real world in real time.

That's also why gamers care: at higher frame rates, fast on-screen action is easier to track and react to, since there's less blur and lag between frames. The same logic applies to filming sports, live events, or anything fast-moving — a higher frame rate keeps quick motion from looking choppy or blurred, while a lower frame rate can make fast action feel unclear or stuttery.

24 FPS vs 30 FPS vs 60 FPS: What's the difference?

These are the most common frame rates. Let's explore how they differ. But first, here's the TL;DR:

24 FPS

Hollywood movies are traditionally filmed in 24 FPS. It's the cinematic standard, and pretty close to the motion blur your eyes see naturally. After over 100 years of Hollywood filmmaking, viewers are very used to 24 FPS. 

However, with the rise of online video content, 24 FPS is used less frequently, mostly reserved for movie theaters and online short films. Regardless, 24 FPS is a simple way to give your video that “cinematic” look.

60 FPS

On the other end, 60 FPS is over double the frame rate of 24 FPS. It’s great for capturing sports and other high-speed subjects. That’s because a higher frame rate gives the impression of smoother motion with less blurring. 60 FPS can also offer a super crisp video gameplay experience that many gamers appreciate. You can usually tell when you’re watching 60 FPS because it doesn’t quite look natural to your eye. 

You can even go higher than 60 FPS, like 120 FPS, and then slow it down to create a slow-motion video. These extremely high frame rates are mainly a video production tool but can make your video content stand out when used intentionally.

High-refresh-rate phones and TVs have made 60 FPS look increasingly natural to viewers, which is part of why platforms like YouTube support higher frame rates for everyday content, not just gaming and sports.

30 FPS

Between these two frame rates is 30 FPS, which is the modern video standard. Your iPhone is automatically set to film at 30 FPS when you first open the camera app, and most online video content you watch is 30 FPS as well. This frame rate offers slightly less motion blur than Hollywood’s 24 FPS without the visual overload of 60 FPS. 

What frame rate should you choose for your video production?

With these visibly different frame rate options, you may be wondering how to choose the right frame rate for your video production. 

Consider your subject, your audience, and your production needs. If nothing is sticking out to you, you can’t go wrong with filming your video content at 30 FPS. You’re likely already used to this frame rate, and it’s a safe bet for a non-distracting look (in other words, it won’t draw your viewers’ attention away from your content).

How do you change frame rate when filming?

So, now you understand the basics of what frame rate is and the differences between the most common frame rates. But how do you change the frame rate on a camera? 

Most cameras will have a “record settings” or “record quality” menu where you can change the frame rate. You’ll see options ranging from 24 FPS-60 FPS, or up to 120 FPS, 180 FPS, or even 240 FPS for slow motion video. 

If you're a mobile videographer, changing the frame rate on an iPhone is as simple as tapping the small number at the corner of the screen when you're in the camera app. Depending on resolution, your options typically include 24, 25, 30, or 60 FPS, and Pro models offer up to 120 FPS for slow motion. You can learn more about iPhone camera settings in our guide to the best iPhone camera settings.

Regardless of the camera (or smartphone) you’re using, try out a few different frame rates before diving into your entire video production.

Frame Rate FAQs

What frame rate is best for YouTube videos?

30 FPS works for most YouTube content. Use 60 FPS for gaming, sports, or fast-motion footage, and 24 FPS if you want a cinematic look.

Is 60 FPS better than 30 FPS?

Not universally — "better" depends on the subject. 60 FPS captures motion more smoothly, which helps with fast action, but 30 FPS looks more natural for everyday video and interviews.

What FPS do most smartphones record at?

Most phones default to 30 FPS, with 24, 25, and 60 FPS also available depending on resolution.

Does a higher frame rate mean a bigger file size?

Yes. More frames per second means more data captured per second of footage, so 60 FPS files are roughly double the size of 30 FPS files at the same resolution.

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