How to Change Frame Rate in Premiere Pro (Sequence & Clip FPS)

Last Updated: 2026-07-31 19:16:37

Understanding how to change frame rate in Premiere Pro is a fundamental skill for any video editor. Whether you are aiming for a cinematic 24fps look, smooth 60fps action, or creating slow motion effects, managing your frames per second (FPS) correctly ensures professional results. This guide covers four distinct methods to adjust frame rates at the sequence, clip, and effect levels. We will also explore advanced AI interpolation techniques to help you upconvert footage seamlessly. By mastering these settings, you can fix playback issues, match mismatched footage, and achieve the exact visual style your project requires for high quality output.

Part 1. How to Change Frame Rate in Premiere for a Sequence?

To change the frame rate for a sequence in Premiere Pro, you must access the Sequence Settings to modify the Timebase. This adjustment dictates the playback speed of your entire timeline, ensuring all clips conform to a specific FPS standard for consistent delivery across various platforms.

1.Select the Sequence: Click inside your active timeline or select the specific sequence within the Project panel.
2.Open Settings: Navigate to the top menu bar and select Sequence > Sequence Settings.
3.Change Timebase: Locate the General tab and find the Timebase dropdown menu.
4.Select FPS: Choose your desired frame rate, such as 23.976, 24, 30, or 60 fps, and click OK.
5.Note: If the Timebase option is grayed out, change the Editing Mode at the top of the window to Custom to unlock manual adjustments.

Part 2. How to Change Frame Rate in Premiere for Individual Clips (Interpret Footage)

Changing the frame rate for individual clips using the Interpret Footage command allows you to tell Premiere Pro how to read the file. This is the primary method for creating high quality slow motion by playing back high FPS footage at a slower sequence rate.

1.Locate the Clip: Find your raw video file in the Project panel.
2.Modify: Right click the clip and navigate to Modify > Interpret Footage.
3.Assume Frame Rate: In the Frame Rate section, check the box for Assume this frame rate.
4.Enter Value: Type your target FPS (e.g., 24) and click OK. This changes the duration of the clip; for instance, 60fps footage interpreted at 24fps will play back in smooth, natural slow motion.

Part 3. How to Change FPS in Premiere Without Changing Speed (Posterize Time)

If you want to change the visual frame rate of a video without altering its duration or playback speed, use the Posterize Time effect. This is ideal for giving modern footage a "choppy" or "stop motion" aesthetic by dropping frames artificially while keeping the audio in sync.

1.Apply Effect: Open the Effects panel, search for Posterize Time, and drag it onto your clip in the timeline.
2.Adjust Controls: Open the Effect Controls panel and locate the Frame Rate setting under the Posterize Time effect.
3.Set FPS: Enter your target frame rate. The clip will now display at that specific rate while maintaining its original length on the timeline.

Part 4. How to Convert 30fps to 60fps in Premiere Pro?

To convert 30fps video to 60fps in Premiere Pro, you must create a high frame rate sequence and use Optical Flow interpolation. This process generates new frames to fill the gaps, resulting in smoother motion that mimics native 60fps recording.

1.Open Adobe Premiere Pro: Go to File > New > Sequence.
2.Choose Preset: Select the AVCHD folder, choose 1080p, then click AVCHD 1080p60 and hit OK.
3.Import Video: Bring your 30fps video file into the Project panel.
4.Add to Timeline: Drag the 30fps video onto your 60fps timeline.
5.Maintain Settings: When prompted, click Keep existing settings to ensure the timeline stays at 60fps.
6.Apply Interpolation: Right click the clip on the timeline, select Time Interpolation, and choose Optical Flow.
7.Render: Press Enter to render the sequence. This may take a significant amount of time as Premiere calculates new frames.
8.Export: Go to File > Export > Media.
9.Set Preset: Choose an export preset that matches your project needs.
10.Verify FPS: In the Video tab, ensure the frame rate is set to 60. If not, uncheck the box and manually select 60.
11.Final Export: Click Export to generate your new 60fps video file.

Using Optical Flow helps create smoother motion by estimating intermediate frames. This method is effective for enhancing video fluidity, though it may require significant processing time. To convert videos from 60fps to 24fps in Premiere Pro, you can use the same method just mentioned above.

Part 5. Choosing the Right Frame Rate (FPS) Method in Adobe Premiere Pro

Different tasks require different approaches. Use this table to decide which method fits your current editing needs.

Method	Best Use Case	Impact on Clip Duration
Sequence Settings	Setting the overall project output standard.	No change to clips, but may cause jitter.
Interpret Footage	Creating smooth slow motion from high FPS files.	Changes duration (makes clip longer/shorter).
Posterize Time	Creating a creative "stutter" or cinematic look.	No change to duration or playback speed.
Optical Flow	Upconverting low FPS footage to a higher rate.	No change to duration; creates new frames.

Part 6. Boost Video FPS with AI Frame Interpolation Tool

While Premiere Pro offers basic tools, achieving flawless high frame rate conversion often requires dedicated AI. HitPaw VikPea uses advanced AI Frame Interpolation to create missing frames with incredible accuracy. This tool is perfect for users who find Premiere's Optical Flow too slow or prone to "warping" artifacts. Beyond just adding frames, it enhances overall clarity, making it a comprehensive solution for video restoration and smoothing.

AI powered frame interpolation increases FPS with highly accurate motion prediction
Converts low frame rate videos into smooth high FPS playback effortlessly
Preserves fine details and textures during frame generation for realistic output
Reduces motion blur and ghosting in fast moving scenes automatically
Supports batch processing for multiple videos with consistent high quality results
Enhances overall video clarity while increasing frame rate simultaneously

Step 1.Download and install HitPaw VikPea on your computer. Launch the software and open AI Toolbox, then select Frame Interpolation. Import your video by dragging it into the interface.
Step 2.Choose between 2X or 4X frame interpolation. Preview both options to decide which fits your video best.
Step 3.Customize export settings such as resolution, bitrate, format, and save location according to your needs.
Step 4.Click Preview to check the result. Once satisfied, click Export to process and save your video.

Frequently Asked Questions on Changing Frame Rate in Premiere Pro

1. What is the best frame rate for YouTube videos in Premiere Pro?

The best frame rate for YouTube is typically 24fps for a cinematic look or 30fps for standard vlogs. If you are uploading gaming or sports content, 60fps is highly recommended to ensure the motion remains fluid and clear for viewers.

2. How to fix choppy video after changing frame rate in Premiere Pro?

To fix choppy video, ensure your sequence frame rate matches your footage or use Optical Flow. Right click the clip, select Time Interpolation, and choose Optical Flow. This helps blend frames together to reduce the stuttering effect during playback.

3. Will changing frame rate in Premiere Pro affect video quality?

Changing frame rate does not directly lower resolution, but it can affect motion blur and smoothness. Lowering FPS can make video look stuttered, while upconverting without AI may cause ghosting artifacts. Using proper interpolation methods helps maintain the perceived visual quality.

4. How to change 60fps to 24fps in Premiere?

To change 60fps to 24fps, right click the clip in the Project panel, go to Modify, then Interpret Footage. Select Assume this frame rate and enter 24. This will play the 60fps footage in slow motion at a 24fps rate.

Conclusion

Mastering the ability to change frame rate in Premiere Pro allows you to control the "feel" of your video, whether you need smooth action or a slow motion sequence. By using Sequence Settings, Interpret Footage, or Posterize Time, you can handle almost any editing scenario. For those looking for the highest quality results when increasing FPS, AI tools like HitPaw VikPea provide a superior alternative to traditional software interpolation.