Free Online Tool
Online Metronome
Set a tempo, tap it in, or use arrow keys. Precise Web Audio timing, no install needed.
How to use the metronome
Set the tempo
Drag the slider, click the + and − buttons, or use the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard. The Italian tempo name (Andante, Allegro, etc.) updates automatically to match the BPM range.
Use tap tempo
If you have a piece of music playing and want to match its speed, click Tap Tempo (or press T) in rhythm with the beat. The metronome averages your taps and sets the BPM for you.
Choose beats per measure
Select the number that matches your time signature. 4 beats for 4/4, 3 beats for 3/4, 6 for 6/8, and so on. Beat 1 always plays with a higher accent click and a larger dot so you can feel where the measure begins.
Keyboard shortcuts
Space starts and stops the metronome. T taps the tempo. ← → adjusts BPM by one.
What is a metronome?
A metronome produces a steady, unchanging pulse at a chosen speed. That speed is measured in BPM — beats per minute. 60 BPM means one click per second. 120 BPM means two clicks per second, which is a typical tempo for pop and rock music.
Musicians use a metronome for one core reason: it removes guesswork about time. When you practice alone, it is easy to slow down on difficult passages and rush through easy ones without realizing it. The metronome makes that tendency impossible to hide — if you rush or drag, you fall out of sync with the click, and you hear it immediately.
This metronome runs on the Web Audio API, which schedules audio events with sample-accurate precision. Unlike a system beep or audio file loop, the timing does not drift as the page stays open.
Frequently asked questions
What do the tempo markings mean?
Tempo markings like Andante or Allegro are Italian terms used in sheet music to describe the feel of a piece, not just the speed. This metronome shows the corresponding marking below the BPM number so you can match it to what the score indicates. Andante is a walking pace (76–107 BPM), Moderato is moderate (108–119), Allegro is lively and fast (120–155), Vivace is even faster (156–175), and so on.
How does Tap Tempo work?
Click the Tap Tempo button (or press T on your keyboard) in rhythm with the music — the same way you would tap your foot. After two or more taps, the metronome calculates the average interval between taps and sets the BPM accordingly. The more taps you give it, the more accurate the result. If you stop tapping for more than three seconds, the next tap starts a fresh calculation.
What is the accent beat?
The first beat of every measure plays at a slightly higher pitch and the indicator dot is larger. This is called the accent. It helps you hear the downbeat — the start of each rhythmic group — so you can feel the meter rather than just counting individual clicks.
How many beats per measure should I choose?
Match this to the time signature of the piece you're playing. 4/4 time uses 4 beats, 3/4 (waltz) uses 3, 6/8 uses 6, and so on. If you're not sure, start with 4 — it fits most popular and rock music. You can also set it to 1 to hear a simple pulse without any grouping.
How should I practice with a metronome?
Start well below performance tempo — slow enough that you can play every note cleanly without hesitation. Only increase the BPM when you can get through the passage without mistakes at the current speed. Rushing to a fast tempo too early builds in errors that are hard to undo. A common rule: if you make a mistake, drop 10 BPM.
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