How many photos do you need for a video, and what length suits each occasion?

When you start a video from photos, the first question is almost always how many photos you need. The tables below answer that, and show which length suits which occasion.

How many photos fit in one minute of video?

About 12. On average each photo stays on screen for about 5 seconds, so the sum is easy: multiply the minutes you want by 12. For a 2-minute film you need about 24 photos. For 4 minutes, about 48. It also works the other way: 18 photos make a minute and a half, 30 photos make 2 and a half minutes, and 54 photos make 4 and a half.

You can upload anywhere from 2 to 100 photos. You do not have to hit a package number exactly. There is also an exact package for any number of photos in between.

How many photos come in each package?

You can start with one package and decide at the end. Every package gives you an HD film in 16:9 with no watermark, and you can download it or send a share link. The first 2 animations are free to try, with no credit card, once per person.

What length suits each occasion?

This is a rule of thumb, not a rule. The right length depends on how many good photos you have and how long you want to show the film. Here are three short examples. A family that photographed their baby once a month will have 12 photos, which is one minute. Parents making a film for a bar mitzvah, covering 13 years, will usually choose 3 to 4 photos a year, so between 39 and 52 photos. And siblings making a gift for their grandparents from an old album will often find that 24 photos is enough.

For example, for a 60th birthday you chose 5 photos from each of 6 decades, which is 30 photos. That is a film of 2 and a half minutes, and an exact package for that number suits you better than a 3-minute package. For more on a parent's milestone birthday, including how to split photos by decade, read our guide to a video for a 50th, 60th or 70th birthday.

What if my number of photos does not match a package?

This happens almost every time. You have 28 photos, or 41, and neither lands exactly on a package. 28 photos is a little over two minutes, and 41 photos is a little over three minutes. In that case you have two options:

• Order an exact package. There is an exact package for any number of photos in between.
• Add or remove photos. If you are close to a package, it can be easy to add a few more photos or drop a few of the weaker ones.

Is shorter or longer better?

There is no single answer, but a few points help you decide. For a film meant to move people, 2 to 4 minutes is enough to tell a whole story without testing anyone's patience. Here is what to think about:

• Where you will show it. At an event where everyone sits and watches the screen, a longer film works. At a meal, or as background, shorter is better.
• How many good photos you have. A short film with strong photos beats a long film with weak ones.
• Who is watching. Close family will sit through a long film. Guests are less invested, so keep it shorter.

If you are unsure, start with the shorter length. You can always add photos later. A common mistake is adding weak photos just to reach a package length. A shorter film made only of good photos is better. We wrote about showing the film itself in our guide to screening a video at an event.

How do I cut down when I have too many photos?

1. Pick the sharp photos. A blurry or dark photo will hurt the whole film.

2. Remove near-duplicates. If you have five similar photos from the same moment, keep one.

3. Keep it balanced. Do not let one period take up half the film.

4. Keep the best ones. After cutting, check that the first and last photos are strong.

The type of film also affects your choice. A growing-up film suits photos of one person over the years, and a memories film suits a mix of photos. On the growing-up video page you can see examples.

Frequently asked questions