Online Metronome

How to use

1. Set the tempo in BPM, from 30 to 250.
2. Choose the time signature: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 or 6/8.
3. Press start and follow the flashing beats with the accented clicks.
4. Practise slowly, then raise the tempo a few BPM at a time.

How it works

The difference between accented and weak beats

This tool uses a high tone (about 1,000 Hz) on each bar's first beat and a low tone (about 700 Hz) for the rest, so the pitch gap lets your ear find the bar's head without counting. Mechanical metronomes distinguish with a "ding, da" double tone on the same principle — in practice listen for the accent to steady the bar's frame first, then fill in the weak beats.

How to choose the BPM number

BPM (beats per minute) is the beat count per minute: 60 means one beat per second. Pop songs are mostly 90-140, slow ballads 60-80, dance tracks 120-130. Start technique passages at 60; following the number beats following the groove — numbers don't lie.

Matching the time signature

Look at the time signature on the score: 4/4 is most common (nearly all pop), 2/4 is marches and polkas, 3/4 is waltzes and minuets, and 6/8's groove is "strong weak weak, secondary strong weak weak" in two big beats. Drummers can play 6/8 as six eighth notes; melodic instruments groove better in two big beats.

What if I can't hear the sound

On the first "start," the browser unlocks audio permission, and a slight delay can occur — normal; volume follows system and device media volume. In silent settings (library, late night), watch the beat flashes instead — a visual metronome trains just as well.

Code example

const beatMs = Math.round(60000 / bpm);   // 120 bpm → 500ms per beat

// Accent on the first beat of each bar: beats is a boolean sequence
const beats = Array.from({ length: 4 }, (_, i) => i === 0);   // 4/4 → [accent, light, light, light]

// Time signature to beats per bar: 2/4→2, 3/4→3, 4/4→4, 6/8→6

function tempoWord(bpm) {
  if (bpm <= 40) return "grave";        // very slow
  if (bpm <= 75) return "adagio";       // slow (largo ≤59)
  if (bpm <= 107) return "andante";     // walking pace
  if (bpm <= 155) return "allegro";     // fast (moderato ≤119)
  if (bpm <= 200) return "presto";      // very fast (vivace ≤175)
  return "prestissimo";                 // as fast as possible
}

FAQ