Online metronome
Keep perfect time while you practise. Set the tempo, choose a time signature and press Start.
Common tempos
Tip: on a computer, press T to tap the tempo.
How to use the metronome
- Set the tempo with the slider or the + and − buttons, or tap the Tap button along with a song to find its BPM.
- Choose how many beats are in a bar (4 for most songs, 3 for a waltz) and, if you like, a subdivision such as eighth notes or triplets.
- Press Start and play along. The first beat of each bar is accented so you always know where "one" is.
Why practise with a metronome?
A metronome gives you a steady pulse to play against. It shows you where you rush or drag, helps you build speed safely and trains your inner sense of time, the skill that makes musicians sound tight together.
A good method is to start slowly, at a tempo where you can play a passage perfectly, then raise the tempo by 4–5 BPM at a time. If you make mistakes, go back down. Slow, correct practice builds speed faster than fast, messy practice.
The Italian words under the number are traditional tempo markings: Largo (very slow), Adagio (slow), Andante (walking pace), Moderato (moderate), Allegro (fast) and Presto (very fast).
Frequently asked questions
What BPM should I practise at?
Start at a tempo where you can play without mistakes, even if it is very slow, then increase by a few BPM at a time. Many songs are between 70 and 130 BPM.
How do I find the BPM of a song?
Press the Tap button in time with the beat for a few seconds. The metronome calculates the average tempo from your taps. On a computer you can also press the T key.
What does 3/4 or 6/8 mean?
The top number tells you how many beats are in each bar. 3/4 has three beats (a waltz). 6/8 is usually felt as two groups of three; set 6 beats, or 2 beats with triplets.
Is this metronome accurate?
Yes. Clicks are scheduled with the Web Audio clock, which is far more precise than ordinary timers, so the tempo stays steady.
