---
title: "Pulldown (3:2)"
url: https://postproduction.studio/en/glossary/pulldown-3-2
language: en
description: "3:2 pulldown (also called 2:3 pulldown) is the technique used to display 24fps film content on 60Hz video systems by repeating film frames in a 3:2 patt..."
updated: 2026-10-25
---

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# Pulldown (3:2)

3:2 pulldown (also called 2:3 pulldown) is the technique used to display 24fps film content on 60Hz video systems by repeating film frames in a 3:2 pattern. The math: 24 film frames per second must fit into 60 video fields per second (NTSC), so each film frame is converted to either 2 or 3 video fields in alternation. The pattern is: frame A → 2 fields, frame B → 3 fields, frame C → 2 fields, frame D → 3 fields, then repeating. Over five frames of film (5×60/24 = 12.5 video fields per second times the film/video ratio), 12 video fields are generated, which matches the field rate. 3:2 pulldown introduces visible judder on motion because not all film frames are displayed for equal duration. It is the reason why pan shots in old DVD-era films often have characteristic juddery motion. Modern delivery typically avoids 3:2 pulldown: streaming services deliver 24p directly to compatible displays, or the display performs its own pulldown handling. Removing 3:2 pulldown (called inverse telecine or IVTC) is essential for working with film material originated through a telecine process — the inverse pulldown recovers the original 24p frames. Tools: dedicated IVTC processors, DaVinci Resolve's pulldown handling, and AviSynth/VapourSynth scripts. Reference: SMPTE RP 168 covers pulldown patterns and conversions.

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## Related terms

[Frame Rate](https://postproduction.studio/en/glossary/frame-rate)[Interlaced Video](https://postproduction.studio/en/glossary/interlaced-video)[Drop Frame Timecode](https://postproduction.studio/en/glossary/drop-frame-timecode)

At 29.97 fps, non-drop timecode drifts ~3.6s ahead of wall-clock per hour. Drop-frame skips 2 frame labels per minute (except every 10th) to compensate.

## Articles covering this term

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* [American vs European color grading: myth, tendencies and real differences

  Explore the stylistic and technical differences between American punchy aesthetics and European naturalism in color grading, and learn how to replicate both looks.](https://postproduction.studio/en/image/american-vs-european-grading)