How to Change Frame Rate of Video: Smooth Playback & Slow Motion Guide

April 28, 2026Jenny Ryan

Have you ever wondered why your video gets choppy when there is a lot of movement, why it gets blurry during moments of fast action, or why it is generally less smooth compared to professional videos? A lot of the time, the reason lies in the frame rate. Mastering how to change frame rate is a must if you want to improve the quality of your videos. Actually, one should also know the difference between changing the frame rate and frame interpolation. Merely changing the frame rate means deciding how many frames will be shown each second, which may result in changes to speed and overall smoothness of motion. Frame interpolation, however, takes it a step further as it leverages sophisticated algorithms or AI to create new intermediate frames, resulting in a much more natural and smooth final video. In this guide, you will learn what frame rate is and explore practical ways to adjust it for smoother playback and improved visual performance.

Part 1. What is Frame Rate?

Frame rate, measured in frames per second (fps), refers to the number of individual images (frames) displayed consecutively within one second of a video. It is a fundamental property that significantly influences the visual experience of motion in video content.

A lower frame rate (e.g., 24fps) often produces a cinematic, slightly stylized motion, while a higher frame rate (e.g., 60fps) results in exceptionally smooth, sharp, and realistic movement, which is ideal for capturing fast-action scenes like sports. Understanding frame rate is essential for creating content with the desired aesthetic and ensuring smooth playback on various devices and platforms.

Use Cases for Changing Frame Rate

• For Gamers – Capture the adrenaline-pumping gameplay of your favorite games at record-high frame rates, such as 60fps or 120fps, so that you can record every moment of your movements perfectly.
• For Anime Fans – smooth out frame jumps in low frame rate animation videos for a better and more immersive viewing experience.
• For Archivists – Restore and preserve old footage by adjusting frame rates to modern standards, improving motion clarity, and overall visual quality.

By understanding frame rate and its applications, you can choose the right settings to enhance your videos. Next, let’s explore some easy ways to change the frame rate of videos.

Part 2. Frame Rate Tools Comparison Table

To help you easily adjust video fps and improve smoothness and fix choppy video, here’s a comparison of four popular tools. Some of these also offer AI frame interpolation software features, making it easier to enhance motion and create high-quality videos.

Tool	Platform	AI Support	Max FPS Output	Ease of Use	Best For
Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate (VCU)	Windows, Mac	Yes, AI frame interpolation	120fps+	Very Easy	Beginners & Professionals for smooth video conversion
Veed.io	Online	Limited AI interpolation	60fps+	Easy	Quick online frame rate adjustment and slow motion
HandBrake	Windows, Mac, Linux	No	60fps	Moderate	Free tool for simple frame rate changes and format conversion
VLC Media Player	Windows, Mac, Linux	No	60fps	Easy	Free playback and basic frame rate adjustment

These tools provide the ability to alter the fps for various reasons, e.g., repairing jittery playback, making a slo-mo effect, or rendering visually smoother gaming and anime videos. Applying an AI Frame Interpolation Software, such as VCU, can enhance the results by automatically creating the intermediate frames that lead to the best possible smoothness.

Part 3. Best Way to Change the Frame Rate of a Video

If you're looking for a trustworthy and professional tool to change video fps, Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate (VCU) should be your first consideration. It combines strong AI functionalities with an easy-to-use interface that allows you to change frame rates from 30fps to 60fps, upscale video resolution, and enhance playback quality with ease. If you game, create content, or just like to keep archives, this software is the one that really understands what you want from your results. It keeps the video clear and the motion blur at the minimum level. So, if your query is about how to adjust frame rate, VCU is undoubtedly the most productive and all-around tool.

Downloads

Video Converter Ultimate

Add intermediate frames for smoother motion
Change frame rates like 24fps – 60fps or 30fps – 60fps
Reduce noise, sharpen details, and upscale resolution
Compatible with over 1,000 video/audio formats
Faster processing speed without quality loss

Free DownloadFor Windows

100% Secure. No Ads.

Free DownloadFor macOS

100% Secure. No Ads.

Step 1.

Launch the app after downloading it to your Mac or Windows computer. To add files to the software, hit Add Files from the Video Enhancer Menu.

Step 2.

Choose the Frame interpolation Model and pick the 4X (92fps) frame rate to smoothen playback.

Step 3.

You can also choose your output format, and after that, please preview your new video to see the difference.

Step 4.

Click Export full Video to apply the new frame rate. Your video will now play more smoothly and fluidly.

Part 4. How to Adjust the FPS of Video for Free?

Method 1. VEED

For those seeking a user-friendly, web-based video FPS converter to adjust frame rate without installing software, VEED offers an excellent free option. This online video editor makes it remarkably simple to change the frame rate of your video directly in your browser. With its intuitive interface, you can quickly convert your footage to standard frame rates like 24fps for a cinematic look, 30fps for regular videos, or 60fps for smoother motion.

Step 1.

Go to the official website of VEED and upload your footage.

Step 2.

Click the video and the Edit Video function will show up on the left side of the screen.

Step 3.

Click Settings and change the FPS based on your demands.

Step 4.

Hit Done and Export Video to save your footage.

While VEED offers convenient online frame rate adjustment, it comes with several limitations that users should consider. The most significant drawback is the watermark added to videos exported with the free plan, making them unsuitable for professional use. Additionally, free users face strict file size limits and processing queues, which can be frustrating for longer videos or batch processing. For frequent users or professional projects requiring high-quality results, these limitations might make VEED less ideal than standalone software solutions.

Method 2. HandBrake

If you want a powerful, open-source alternative to change the frame rate of the video without compromising on quality, HandBrake stands out as an excellent choice. This free desktop application offers advanced control over video parameters, including precise frame rate adjustment capabilities.

Step 1.

Launch the software and add the video file you want to change its frame rate.

Step 2.

Click the Video tab to access various related options.

Step 3.

Find the Framerate (FPS) and select a suitable fps from its dropdown.

Step 4.

Click Browse…to save your video to the destination.

Although HandBrake is a powerful open-source tool, it does have some limitations when adjusting frame rates. The interface can be intimidating for beginners, with numerous technical settings that may overwhelm casual users. Unlike dedicated video editors, it lacks preview functionality for frame rate changes, meaning you can't see the results before completing the encoding process. The software also offers limited frame rate interpolation options, which may result in less smooth motion when converting between significantly different frame rates.

Method 3. VLC Media Player

As we all know, VLC is a great open-source media player, also works as a video fps converter. More powerfully, it is also a good enhancer to change the fps of your videos. It can help you improve or reduce the video frame rate according to your needs. Let us learn the operations step by step.

Step 1.

Start VLC, click Media in the menu, and click Convert/Save...

Step 2.

Click Add to select the videos you want to change the fps.

Step 3.

Then, click the Convert/Save button in the lower-right corner. And click the wrench icon.

Step 4.

Next that, you can see a new pop-up. Select Video codec, and you can change the frame rate of videos. Click Create when you finishe it.

Step 5.

Finally, go back to the convert window and click Browse to choose the location and save the video file.

Definitely, VLC can change the frame rate of your videos. However, VLC is not a professional video frame interpolation software. It often only does simple frame repetition or frame loss, and does not have an AI frame interpolation algorithm, so its output effect is unstable. For a smoother and more natural effect, you’d better try VidHex, a video enhancer with advanced AI frame interpolation technology.

Part 5. FAQs on How to Change the Frame Rate of Video

How does frame rate affect video?

As I mentioned earlier, the frame rate will impact how your video looks. It determines the smoothness of motion and affects the perceived speed of your video. Higher frame rates, like 60/120 fps, can generate smoother and more realistic motion. On the contrary, lower frame rates will often cause choppy.

What is the best frame rate for a 1080p video?

There isn't one single best frame rate for a 1080p video. For different purposes and requirements, you may get several ideal choices. For instance, if you prefer a classic cinema feel, 24 fps can be a great option for your 1080p videos. While for capturing fast-speed content like sports or gaming, you should use 60 fps or even higher frame rates. Also, for some online platforms like YouTube, Twitter, or TikTok, you get recommended or limited uploads to 30 fps.

Can I convert a 30fps video to 60fps?

Yes, you can handily convert a 30fps video to 60fps with the recommended frame rate converters above. However, the video fps changing may cause quality loss and a larger file size. You should weigh the potential drawbacks of frame interpolation and file size increase.

Conclusion

If you want a smoother viewing experience, you should change the frame rate of your video. In this post, we shared 4 very simple methods to help you figure out how to adjust frame rate with the help of trustworthy tools. Depending on which way you pick, you'll be able to change video fps without much effort for smoother playback, nicer slow motion, and more appealing visual quality enhancement.