Online Metronome
Practice with an Online Metronome
Set a tempo, choose a time signature and subdivision, then practice with an audible and visual beat.
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Keyboard: Space starts or stops · T taps tempo · Arrow keys change BPM
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Practice with an Online Metronome
The Online Metronome provides an audible and visual pulse from 30 to 240 beats per minute. You can set the tempo directly, estimate BPM by tapping, choose a time signature, add rhythmic subdivisions, accent the first beat, run timed sessions, and increase speed automatically after a chosen number of measures.
The click is generated in the browser through the Web Audio API. No audio file, microphone, account, or download is required.
How to Use the Online Metronome
Set the Tempo
Enter a BPM value, move the tempo slider, or use the step controls:
- −5 and +5 for larger changes
- −1 and +1 for fine adjustments
- Tap tempo for estimating the pulse by tapping
The valid range is 30–240 BPM. The traditional tempo marking updates automatically when the BPM changes.
| BPM range | Displayed marking |
|---|---|
| 30–39 | Grave |
| 40–59 | Largo |
| 60–65 | Larghetto |
| 66–75 | Adagio |
| 76–107 | Andante |
| 108–119 | Moderato |
| 120–167 | Allegro |
| 168–199 | Presto |
| 200–240 | Prestissimo |
These labels are practical tempo categories, not universal rules. Musical interpretation can vary by style, period, and performer.
Find BPM with Tap Tempo
Press Tap tempo repeatedly in time with the pulse you want to measure. The tool calculates the intervals between recent taps and converts the average interval into BPM.
When enough tap intervals are available, the longest and shortest intervals are excluded before averaging. This reduces the effect of one unusually early or late tap.
Taps older than roughly 2.5 seconds are discarded, so a long pause effectively starts a new estimate. You can also press the T key while the tool is focused.
Choose a Time Signature
Set the number of beats per measure from 1 to 12, then choose a beat unit of 2, 4, 8, or 16.
For example:
| Setting | Typical interpretation |
|---|---|
| 4/4 | Four quarter-note beats per measure |
| 3/4 | Three quarter-note beats per measure |
| 6/8 | Six eighth-note beats per measure |
| 2/2 | Two half-note beats per measure |
The visual beat indicators show the current numbered beat. When Accent first beat is enabled, beat one receives a higher-pitched click and a visual accent.
The beat unit is included in the displayed time signature and copied session details. The metronome’s main pulse timing is determined by the selected BPM.
Understanding Subdivisions
The subdivision control adds clicks between the main beats.
| Subdivision | Clicks per beat | Useful for |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter notes | 1 | Basic pulse and internal timing |
| Eighth notes | 2 | Even two-part divisions |
| Triplets | 3 | Three-part rhythmic groupings |
| Sixteenth notes | 4 | Fine rhythmic control |
Subdivisions do not change the selected BPM. At 120 BPM, the main beat still occurs twice per second. Eighth-note mode simply places one additional click halfway between each beat.
The numbered visual indicators continue to represent the main beats, while intermediate subdivision clicks use a different pitch. This makes it easier to hear the difference between the pulse and the smaller rhythmic units.
A useful practice method is to begin with subdivisions, then return to quarter-note clicks. If the passage remains steady with fewer clicks, your internal pulse is becoming more reliable.
Click Sound, Accent, and Volume
The metronome includes three synthesized click options:
- Wood: short, higher-pitched square-wave click
- Beep: smoother sine-wave tone
- Block: lower and slightly longer square-wave click
The first-beat accent uses a higher frequency than the regular clicks. Disable it when you want an even click without a prominent downbeat.
The volume slider controls relative browser-audio gain. Its percentage is not a calibrated loudness measurement. Use a comfortable level that supports your playing without masking it.
Practice Timer and Live Results
The practice timer can be turned off or set to 1, 5, 10, 15, or 30 minutes. When the timer reaches zero, the metronome stops automatically.
During playback, the result area shows:
| Output | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Current beat | Position within the measure |
| Status | Ready, Playing, or Stopped |
| Tempo | Current BPM |
| Tempo marking | Traditional name for the BPM range |
| Completed measures | Number of full measures played |
| Elapsed time | Total session duration |
| Time remaining | Countdown when a timer is active |
| Subdivision | Current rhythmic division |
Completed measures increase only after all beats in a measure have played.
Build Speed with the Speed Trainer
The speed trainer increases the tempo automatically after a selected number of completed measures.
Configure three values:
- Increase by: 1–20 BPM
- Every: 1–32 measures
- Maximum BPM: 30–240 BPM
For example, you can begin at 80 BPM, increase by 5 BPM every four measures, and stop increasing at 120 BPM.
The trainer raises the tempo only when the selected measure interval is completed. Once the maximum is reached, playback continues at that tempo without further increases.
A practical approach is to choose an initial BPM where the passage feels controlled, use a small increase such as 2–5 BPM, and require several clean measures before each change. A large jump may increase speed without improving accuracy.
How the Timing Works
Each click is scheduled with the Web Audio API rather than relying only on a basic JavaScript interval.
The timing process works as follows:
- Beat duration is calculated from
60 ÷ BPM. - That duration is divided by the selected subdivision.
- The scheduler looks ahead by approximately 0.1 seconds.
- It checks for upcoming clicks about every 25 milliseconds.
- Each click receives its own oscillator and short gain envelope.
- Visual beat changes are aligned with the scheduled audio time.
This approach reduces timing drift caused by page rendering or minor browser delays. The tool does not provide MIDI output, external clock synchronization, Ableton Link, audio export, or DAW integration.
Better Ways to Practice with a Metronome
Start below the fastest tempo you can manage. A useful starting BPM is one where you can repeat the passage cleanly without tension or hesitation.
Use subdivisions when the rhythm feels uneven. Switch back to quarter-note clicks after the pattern becomes secure.
Do not chase the click after it happens. Aim to place each note at the same instant as the click.
Use the first-beat accent when learning measure structure, then disable it to test whether you can maintain the form internally.
Session history stores the starting and ending BPM, time signature, subdivision, completed measures, and timestamp for the current browser session.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an online metronome?
An online metronome is a browser-based tool that produces a steady audible and visual pulse. This one supports 30–240 BPM, tap tempo, time signatures, subdivisions, timers, and gradual speed training.
What does BPM mean?
BPM means beats per minute. At 60 BPM, one main beat occurs every second; at 120 BPM, two main beats occur every second.
How does tap tempo work?
Tap tempo measures the time between your recent taps and converts the average interval into BPM. This tool removes unusually long and short intervals when enough taps are available.
What BPM should a beginner use?
Use a BPM where you can play the passage accurately and without tension. The correct starting tempo depends on the music, so reduce it until the rhythm and technique remain controlled.
Do subdivisions change the BPM?
No. Subdivisions add evenly spaced clicks inside each beat while the selected BPM remains unchanged.
What is the difference between tempo and time signature?
Tempo controls how quickly the beats occur. Time signature describes how beats are grouped into measures and which note value is represented by the lower number.
Why accent the first beat?
Accenting beat one makes the beginning of each measure easier to hear. It is useful for learning phrasing, counting, and unfamiliar time signatures.
How does gradual speed training work?
The speed trainer raises the BPM by a selected amount after a chosen number of completed measures. It stops increasing once the configured maximum BPM is reached.
Is the online metronome accurate?
It uses Web Audio look-ahead scheduling to place clicks more consistently than a simple interval timer. Actual playback can still be affected by browser, device, and audio-system latency.