Vinyl & Tape Length Calculator
Work out how long a reel of tape plays at any speed, or how much tape a target time needs, in feet and metres. Runs entirely in your browser.
Playback time
-
Length for the target time
Show the math
Tape plays past the head at a fixed speed, so time is simply length over speed:
time = tape length ÷ tape speed
Speeds are in inches per second (ips); faster speeds use more tape but sound better. A 1,800 ft reel at 7½ ips runs 48 minutes per pass. Vinyl side length instead depends on groove pitch and the 33⅓/45 rpm speed.
Everything is calculated in your browser.
What this does
A tape length calculator works out how long a reel of tape plays at any speed, or how much tape a target time needs — in feet and metres.
How to use it
- Enter the tape length or target time.
- Set the tape speed in ips.
- Read the playback time or length.
- Compare speeds for fidelity vs. time.
How it works
Tape passes the head at a fixed speed in inches per second. Faster speeds use more tape but improve fidelity; halving the speed roughly doubles the running time.
time = length ÷ speed
Understanding your result
The running time per pass is the trade at the heart of tape: a faster speed eats more tape but improves fidelity, while halving the speed roughly doubles the time at the cost of high-end and noise. Use it to check a reel will hold a whole programme before you commit, and remember a reel-to-reel can often record both directions for double the total.
Example
A 1,800 ft reel at 7½ ips runs 48 minutes per pass.
Sources & methodology
Last updated .
Frequently asked questions
How is tape playback time calculated?
Tape passes the head at a fixed speed, so time = length ÷ speed. Speeds are in inches per second (ips); a 1,800 ft reel at 7½ ips runs 48 minutes per pass.
Why does tape speed matter?
Faster speeds use more tape for a given time but give better fidelity. Halving the speed roughly doubles the running time at the cost of high-frequency response.
What about vinyl side length?
A record’s side length depends on groove pitch and the 33⅓ or 45 rpm speed rather than a simple length, so this tool focuses on tape; use it as a guide for reel and cassette timing.
Is anything stored?
No. Everything is calculated locally in your browser.
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