Tape Speed and Recording Time Calculator
Calculate recording time for reel-to-reel and cassette tapes based on tape speed and reel size.
Recording Time
Tape recording time depends on tape length and speed.
Recording Time = Tape Length / Tape Speed
Reel-to-reel tape lengths by reel size:
| Reel Size | Standard | Long Play | Double Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 inch | 600 ft | 900 ft | 1,200 ft |
| 7 inch | 1,200 ft | 1,800 ft | 2,400 ft |
| 10.5 inch | 2,500 ft | 3,600 ft | — |
Common tape speeds:
| Speed (ips) | Quality | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 15 ips | Professional | Studio mastering |
| 7.5 ips | High quality | Music recording |
| 3.75 ips | Good quality | Music/voice |
| 1.875 ips | Voice quality | Dictation, long recordings |
1 ips = 1 inch per second = 2.54 cm/s