Timecode

A clock reading on a frame of video, usually hours:minutes:seconds:frames. Not the same as a YouTube timestamp.

Also called: SMPTE, drop-frame, frames to time

Two clocks people mix up

A YouTube timestamp is a position in the watch page, written 1:02:14. It counts seconds. A production timecode counts frames at a stated frame rate, and can use drop-frame arithmetic at 29.97 fps so the clock stays near wall time.

If you convert frames without stating the frame rate, the number is meaningless. 24, 25, 29.97, and 30 all give different clocks for the same frame count.

Where this shows up on YouTube work

Caption cues use seconds and milliseconds, not frames. When an editor asks for a line at 01:02:14:12, they mean timecode. When a comment says start at 1:02, they mean the YouTube player.

The timecode converter on this site turns frames into a clock and back. It does not change a caption file. Use the subtitle downloader when you need cue times.

Related

FAQ

Questions, answered.

What is timecode?

A clock reading on a frame of video, usually hours:minutes:seconds:frames. Not the same as a YouTube timestamp.

How does it show up on YouTube?

A YouTube timestamp is a position in the watch page, written 1:02:14. It counts seconds. A production timecode counts frames at a stated frame rate, and can use drop-frame arithmetic at 29.97 fps so the clock stays near wall time.

Which YouTubeScribe tools use this?

Start with timecode-converter, subtitle-downloader.