Choosing a Filmmaking Calculator App
Five things to check in any calculator you'll rely on for timecode, data rates and camera math, and how CineMath handles each. CineMath is our app, so check the details against your own work.
Does it handle real frame rates, including drop-frame?
Timecode math at 23.976, 29.97 DF or 59.94 DF is where mental arithmetic and generic calculators go wrong.
CineMath: The Timecode Calculator adds, subtracts, multiplies and divides timecode and converts between timecode and frames at 18 timebases from 23.976 to 240 fps, including 29.97 and 59.94 drop-frame, or a custom rate.
Are data rates tied to real codecs?
Storage and record-time estimates are only as good as the bitrate you feed them.
CineMath: Data & Storage solves for storage, runtime or bitrate, with 18 codec models (ProRes, DNxHD, DNxHR, H.264, H.265) and 24 quick presets. CineMath Professional adds the maker-published data rates of 149 cameras.
Does it show the working, not just a number?
On set you need to know what a figure means: letterbox height, crop, best and worst case.
CineMath: Results come with detail rows, for example letterbox or crop in pixels for Aspect Ratio, per-minute, per-hour and per-10-hour-day footprints for Data & Storage, and best and worst case (±15%) for Upload Time. Every value can be copied with a tap.
Does it work without a connection?
Stages, locations and drive rooms often have no signal.
CineMath: All calculators run on the device and work offline. Only analytics, sharing and the Professional upload speed test use the network.
What does it cost, and what is held back?
A calculator you can't use without a subscription is no help on a tight job.
CineMath: All 15 calculators are free. CineMath Professional, a one-time purchase, adds calculation history, the Camera Database and the other Professional tools.
The 15 Free Calculators
Camera
Focus, framing, lenses and exposure on set
Editorial
Timecode, retiming, aspect ratios and film footage
CineMath Professional (one-time purchase)
Camera Database, Multi-Camera Compare, Data Planning, Productions, Timed Notes, plus calculation history and shared links.
Other Ways to Do the Math
Your NLE or grading app
Already does timecode math and shows clip data rates inside a project. A separate calculator helps when you're away from the edit, planning before media exists, or on set.
A spreadsheet
Flexible and shareable, and good for a full data plan if you build it carefully. You have to get the formulas, units (1 GB = 8,000 megabits) and drop-frame rules right yourself.
Web calculators
Free and quick for one-off sums. Most cover one calculation each and need a connection.
A general-purpose calculator
Fine for bitrate × time, but has no idea of timecode, frame rates or codecs.
The Short Version
iPhone, iPad and Mac
iOS and iPadOS 16 or later; macOS 13 or later
Works Offline
Every calculator runs on the device
No Account
Calculation values stay on your device unless you share a link; app analytics can be switched off in Settings
Limits
Apple platforms only, English only, and no web version