This online metronome is a free browser-based tempo tool that produces a steady audible click at any speed from 20 to 300 BPM. It supports six time signatures, accents beat 1 of each measure, and tap tempo input, volume control, and enhanced visual beat indicators. No download or account required.
Metronome
Common Tempos
BPM Reference by Genre
Common tempo ranges for different music styles. Use these as starting points when practicing.
| Genre | BPM Range | Typical Time Signature |
|---|---|---|
| Ballad / Slow Song | 60-80 | 4/4 |
| Hip-Hop | 60-100 | 4/4 |
| R&B / Soul | 70-110 | 4/4 |
| Waltz | 84-96 | 3/4 |
| Pop | 100-130 | 4/4 |
| Rock | 110-140 | 4/4 |
| Funk | 100-130 | 4/4 |
| March / Polka | 100-120 | 2/4 |
| Jig | 100-130 | 6/8 |
| Dance / EDM | 120-150 | 4/4 |
| Drum & Bass | 160-180 | 4/4 |
| Punk | 150-200 | 4/4 |
How to Practice with a Metronome
A metronome is one of the most effective tools for building consistent timing on any instrument. Here is a straightforward approach.
Step 1: Start Slow
Set the metronome to 60-80 BPM when learning a new piece. Playing slowly forces you to place each note deliberately rather than relying on muscle memory from faster tempos.
Step 2: Subdivide
Count subdivisions out loud while playing. For eighth notes in 4/4, count "1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and." This trains your internal clock to hear beats between the clicks, which is essential for syncopation and swing.
Step 3: Increase Gradually
Once you can play the passage cleanly three times in a row, increase the tempo by 5-10 BPM. If mistakes appear, drop back down. This is called "tempo stepping" and is used by professional musicians and music teachers.
Worked Example
Suppose you are learning a guitar riff that should be played at 140 BPM.
- Day 1: Start at 80 BPM. Focus on clean fretting and picking.
- Day 2: Increase to 90 BPM once 80 feels comfortable.
- Day 3-5: Step up 10 BPM each session: 100, 110, 120.
- Day 6-7: Slow the increments to 5 BPM: 125, 130, 135, 140.
Total practice time: about one week. Rushing to 140 on day 1 typically takes longer because you practice mistakes at speed.
About This Metronome
This metronome uses the Web Audio API to generate precise click sounds directly in your browser.
The timing is accurate and doesn't drift over time, because it uses the audio hardware clock rather than JavaScript's setTimeout.
Features
- BPM range: 20 to 300 beats per minute
- Time signatures: 4/4, 3/4, 2/4, 6/8, 5/4, 7/8
- Accented downbeat: Higher pitch on beat 1
- Visual feedback: Beat indicators flash with each beat
Tempo Guide
- Largo (40-60): Very slow, solemn
- Adagio (66-76): Slow, at ease
- Andante (76-108): Walking pace
- Moderato (108-120): Moderate speed
- Allegro (120-168): Fast, lively
- Presto (168-200): Very fast
Online Metronome FAQ
What is BPM on a metronome?
BPM stands for beats per minute. It measures how many steady clicks the metronome plays each minute. A higher BPM means a faster tempo. For example, 60 BPM produces one click per second, while 120 BPM produces two clicks per second.
What BPM should a beginner practice at?
Start at 60-80 BPM when learning a new piece or technique. This lets you focus on accuracy before speed. Once you can play cleanly at a slow tempo, increase by 5-10 BPM at a time until you reach the target speed.
What time signature should I use?
4/4 (common time) works for most pop, rock, and classical music. Use 3/4 for waltzes and some folk music. 6/8 is common in jigs and some ballads. 2/4 suits marches. 5/4 and 7/8 are used in progressive rock and some world music.
What is the standard tempo for common music genres?
Hip-hop: 60-100 BPM. Ballads: 60-80 BPM. Pop: 100-130 BPM. Rock: 110-140 BPM. Funk: 100-130 BPM. Dance/EDM: 120-150 BPM. Drum and bass: 160-180 BPM. Punk: 150-200 BPM. These are typical ranges, not strict rules.
Why does my playing sound off even with a metronome?
Common causes include rushing fills and transitions, playing ahead of the beat during louder passages, and not subdividing beats mentally. Try counting subdivisions out loud (1-and-2-and for eighth notes) and focus on placing each note precisely on the click.
What is the accented downbeat?
The accented downbeat is a higher-pitched click on beat 1 of each measure. It helps you hear where each measure starts without counting. In this metronome, beat 1 plays at 1000 Hz and the remaining beats play at 800 Hz.
Is this metronome accurate?
Yes. This metronome uses the Web Audio API scheduler, which is driven by the browser's high-resolution audio clock rather than JavaScript timers. This prevents timing drift that can occur with setInterval-based metronomes.
Does this metronome work on mobile?
Yes. It works in all modern mobile browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge). On iOS, the first click may require a tap to unlock the audio context due to autoplay restrictions. After that, timing is accurate.
What is the difference between a metronome and a click track?
A metronome produces a steady, unchanging pulse at one tempo. A click track is a pre-recorded timing reference that can include tempo changes, count-ins, and different sounds for different sections. Click tracks are used in studio recording; metronomes are used for practice.
Does this tool store my data?
No. The metronome runs entirely in your browser using the Web Audio API. No audio, settings, or personal information is sent to any server. No account or download is needed. Refreshing the page resets all settings to defaults.
Privacy & Limitations
- All calculations run entirely in your browser -- nothing is sent to any server.
- Results are estimates and may vary based on actual conditions.
Related Tools
- Speaker Balance Test -- Test left and right speaker balance with audio panning
- FFT Spectrum Viewer -- Real-time frequency spectrum analyzer with bar graph display
- Music Visualizer -- Turn music into animated geometric shapes, circular waveforms, and radial
- Frequency to Note Converter -- Convert frequency (Hz) to musical note name and cents offset
Related Tools
View all toolsOpus Metadata Viewer
Drag and drop an .opus file to view its embedded metadata and transcription
Tone Generator
Generate pure sine, square, and sawtooth tones at any frequency
Frequency to Note Converter
Convert frequency (Hz) to musical note name and cents offset
Audio Timer
Timer with customizable audio alerts and chimes
White Noise Generator
Generate white, pink, and brown noise for focus or relaxation
Sound Level Meter
Real-time decibel meter using your microphone