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Filmmaking Dictionary: Number 2 / 23.976 fps (23.98 fps)
Definition
23.976 fps is the common shorthand for 24,000/1,001 frames per second, approximately 23.976023976. Cameras and software often display the same rate as 23.98. It is slightly slower than true 24.000 fps.
The rate belongs to the fractional frame-rate family associated with North American colour-video timing. Its difference from 24 fps is small enough to be overlooked during setup, but large enough to matter over a long recording.
23.976 and 24 Are Different Settings
The ratio between true 24 and 24,000/1,001 is 1.001. If the same recorded frames are played at 24 instead of their intended fractional rate, playback becomes 0.1% faster and the duration becomes slightly shorter.
As a practical scale, a mismatch of this order creates roughly 3.6 seconds of difference over an hour. That can make a long interview or concert noticeably drift against independently recorded sound if the material is interpreted incorrectly.
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Where the Difference Enters a Workflow
- Camera setup: A menu labelled ’24p’ may represent a fractional rate in one mode and true 24 in another.
- Sound and timecode: The production needs a shared frame-rate and synchronization plan.
- Editing: Sequence settings and source interpretation must agree with the intended timing.
- Delivery: The distributor may require one exact rate rather than either approximate label.
Changing the Label Is Not a Complete Conversion
Reinterpreting footage at another rate changes playback speed when every source frame is retained. A conversion that preserves duration must handle the difference another way. The correct process depends on the source, the receiving specification and whether sound must remain at its original timing.
For example, a camera and recorder may appear synchronized at the start of a take, while an incorrectly interpreted camera file gradually moves away from the audio in editing. Moving the clip to fix the beginning cannot solve a speed mismatch across the whole take.
Checks Before Recording
- Confirm whether the camera means 23.976 or 24.000.
- Match the approved timecode workflow across relevant devices.
- Run a long enough test to reveal drift, not only a quick clap.
- Tell post about any off-speed recording or intentional rate change.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are 23.98 and 23.976 normally the same setting?
Yes. They commonly label 24,000/1,001 fps, with different display rounding. Verify unusual workflows rather than assuming.
Does choosing drop-frame timecode convert 24 to 23.976?
No. Timecode numbering and the actual frame rate are separate matters.
Related Terms
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