How to use the metronome
Choose a tempo with the slider, the − and + buttons, the quick-pick numbers, or by typing an exact value. Then press Start. The dots show where you are in the bar, and the first dot is accented so you can always find beat one.
If you know how fast a song feels but not its number, press Tap tempo in time with the music four or more times. The metronome averages your last few taps and sets the BPM for you. Waiting more than two seconds starts a fresh count.
Keyboard shortcuts
- Space: start or stop
- T: tap tempo
- ↑ / →: 1 BPM faster (hold Shift for 10)
- ↓ / ←: 1 BPM slower (hold Shift for 10)
What BPM means
BPM stands for beats per minute. At 60 BPM you hear exactly one click per second; at 120 BPM, two per second. Most pop and dance music sits between 90 and 130 BPM, a relaxed ballad is often 60 to 80, and fast punk or bluegrass can pass 180.
The time signature decides how beats are grouped. In 4/4, the most common, you count "1 2 3 4" with the weight on 1. A waltz is in 3/4 ("1 2 3"). In 6/8 you usually feel two big pulses, each split into three, which gives jigs and many ballads their rolling feel.
Italian tempo markings
Classical scores often name a tempo instead of giving a number. The label above the BPM shows the marking that fits your current speed. These ranges are a common guide; composers and editions vary.
| Marking | Approx. BPM | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Grave | 25–45 | Very slow and solemn |
| Largo | 40–60 | Broad and slow |
| Adagio | 66–76 | Slow and at ease |
| Andante | 76–108 | At a walking pace |
| Moderato | 108–120 | Moderate |
| Allegro | 120–156 | Fast and bright |
| Vivace | 156–176 | Lively |
| Presto | 168–200 | Very fast |
| Prestissimo | 200+ | As fast as possible |
How to practice with a metronome
- Start slow. Pick a tempo where you can play the passage perfectly, even if it's half speed. Clean repetitions build the habit; rushed ones build mistakes.
- Speed up in small steps. When you've played it cleanly three times in a row, add 4 to 8 BPM. If it falls apart, go back one step.
- Use subdivisions for tricky rhythms. Turning on eighth notes or sixteenths fills the gaps between beats, which makes it much easier to place syncopations and fast runs evenly.
- Try the click on beats 2 and 4. Set the metronome to half your tempo and treat each click as the backbeat. It's a classic jazz and funk exercise for a relaxed, swinging groove.
- Take the click away. Once a piece feels solid, play a few bars with the metronome, mute it for a few bars, then check whether you're still with it when it comes back.
Other uses
- Running and cycling: match your steps or pedal strokes to a cadence target, such as 170–180 steps per minute.
- CPR training: courses teach chest compressions at 100–120 per minute; a metronome helps you learn the rhythm (always follow your certified course).
- Public speaking and reading: a slow, steady pulse can help you pace a speech or a read-aloud.
- Exercise and stretching: time repetitions or breathing at an even rate.
Frequently asked questions
Is this metronome accurate?
Yes. It schedules every click on your device's audio clock a fraction of a second ahead of time, rather than relying on ordinary page timers. That keeps the beat steady even if the page is busy or you scroll.
Why is there no sound?
Check that your device isn't muted and the volume slider isn't at zero. On iPhone and iPad, the ring/silent switch can mute web audio, so turn silent mode off. Browsers also only allow sound after you press a button on the page, so press Start rather than relying on a keyboard shortcut the first time.
Does it keep playing in a background tab?
On most desktop browsers it does. Phones often pause web pages when you switch apps or lock the screen, so keep the page open in front while you practice.
What's the difference between 3/4 and 6/8?
Both have six eighth notes per bar, but 3/4 is felt as three beats (1 2 3) while 6/8 is felt as two beats each split into three (1-and-a 2-and-a). To practice 6/8 with a two-beat feel, set 2 beats per bar with triplet subdivision.
How do I find the BPM of a song?
Play the song and tap the Tap tempo button (or press T) along with the beat for about ten taps. The number settles on the song's tempo. Tap on the main pulse you'd clap to, not on every drum hit.
Does the metronome record or send any audio?
No. The sound is generated in your browser, and nothing is recorded or uploaded.