Metronome
A steady, accurate beat for practice.
- 20 to 300 BPM
- Time signatures and subdivisions
- Tap tempo to match a song
How to use the metronome
- Set the tempo with the slider, or tap it in with Tap tempo.
- Pick a time signature and, if you want, a subdivision.
- Click Start to hear and see the beat.
Tempo names and their BPM ranges
| Marking | BPM range | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Largo | 20 to 60 | Very slow, broad |
| Adagio | 60 to 76 | Slow, at ease |
| Andante | 76 to 108 | Walking pace |
| Moderato | 108 to 120 | Moderate |
| Allegro | 120 to 168 | Fast, lively |
| Presto | 168 to 200 | Very fast |
| Prestissimo | 200 to 300 | As fast as possible |
The tempo name above the slider updates live as you change the BPM, using these same ranges.
Why the beat does not drift
This metronome schedules every click ahead of time using the Web Audio clock, a precise timer separate from the browser's main thread. Metronomes built on a simple JavaScript timer can drift or stutter when a page is busy or a tab loses focus, this one keeps sample-accurate timing regardless.
Getting the most from practice sessions
- Pick the time signature that matches your piece so the accented first beat lines up with the start of each measure.
- Add a subdivision like eighths when you need to feel the space between beats more precisely, common when learning syncopated rhythms.
- Practice slow and accurate before practicing fast. Speed without accuracy just trains mistakes at a higher tempo.
- Use tap tempo to quickly match a metronome speed to a recording without knowing the BPM in advance.
Metronome FAQ
Why does the beat stay steady even on a slow computer?
Clicks are scheduled ahead of time using the Web Audio clock instead of being timed by the browser's main thread, so the beat does not drift or stutter.
What do the tempo names mean?
They are traditional Italian tempo markings: Largo is very slow, Andante is a walking pace, Moderato and Allegro are moderate to fast, and Presto is very fast.
What does a subdivision do?
Eighths add one extra click between each beat, and triplets add two, both quieter than the main beat, which helps when practicing faster note patterns.
How does tap tempo work?
Click Tap tempo in rhythm a few times and it averages the time between your taps to set the BPM.
What BPM should I practice a new piece at?
Start slow enough to play every note cleanly with no mistakes, often 50 to 70 percent of the final performance tempo, then raise the BPM a few clicks at a time only once you can play the slower speed accurately several times in a row.
What time signature should I pick for a waltz?
3/4, which gives 3 beats per measure. Common time for pop and rock songs is 4/4, and 6/8 suits compound rhythms like a jig or ballad with a triplet feel.
Can I use this to practice against a song?
Yes. Find or estimate the song's BPM, or use Tap tempo while listening to it, then set that number here and practice along with a click track instead of the original recording.
Does the accent sound different from the regular beats?
Yes, the first beat of each measure plays a higher-pitched click when Accent the first beat is on, which makes it easy to hear where each new measure starts.
What instruments is this metronome useful for?
Any instrument or activity that needs a steady beat: piano, guitar, drums, singing practice, and even running or rowing cadence work, since the click does not care what is making the sound on each beat.