PostMicroTools
Reference + calculator
Shutter angle ↔ shutter speed
Convert between shutter angle and shutter speed for any frame rate, see the motion-blur look you'll get, and avoid flicker under artificial light. Formula: shutter speed = angle ÷ (360 × fps).
Common shutter angles
| Angle | Speed @24fps | Look |
|---|---|---|
| 360° | 1/24 s | Max motion blur, dreamy |
| 180° | 1/48 s | Natural — the standard |
| 172.8° | 1/50 s | 180°-equivalent, flicker-safe at 50 Hz |
| 90° | 1/96 s | Crisp, slightly staccato |
| 45° | 1/192 s | Sharp, gritty (battle scenes) |
Flicker under artificial light
Lights pulse at twice the mains frequency. To avoid banding/flicker, use a shutter speed that's a whole multiple of the mains frequency:
| Mains | Flicker-safe speeds | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 50 Hz (EU) | 1/50, 1/100 s | At 25 fps use 180°; at 24 fps use 172.8° |
| 60 Hz (US/JP) | 1/60, 1/120 s | At 30 fps use 180°; at 24 fps use 144° |
What is shutter angle?
It comes from rotary film shutters: a disc with an opening of N degrees spinning once per frame. A 180° opening exposes for half the frame. Digital cameras emulate it; many let you set angle or speed.
Higher fps for slow motion?
Keep the 180° rule for natural blur (e.g. 1/120 s at 60 fps). For sharper slow-mo with less blur, narrow the angle.