Metronome
Online metronome with tempo and time signature options
Metronome
Tempo
120
BPM
How to Use
- Adjust tempo using the slider or tap tempo button
- Select your desired time signature
- Enable accent on first beat for emphasis
- Click Start to begin the metronome
- Visual indicators show the current beat
Privacy Notice
This metronome runs entirely in your browser. No data is sent to any server. Audio is generated using the Web Audio API.
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All processing happens entirely in your browser. No data is stored, transmitted, or tracked. Your information remains completely private and secure on your device.
About Online Metronome
An online metronome is an essential musical tool for musicians, music students, and anyone learning or practicing music. A metronome produces a steady click or beat at a specified tempo (measured in BPM - beats per minute), helping musicians develop timing, maintain consistent tempo, improve rhythm accuracy, and build internal sense of timing. Our web-based metronome provides all the features of traditional physical metronomes with the convenience of accessing it from any device with a browser. The metronome supports tempos from 40 BPM (very slow, like Grave) to 240 BPM (very fast, like Prestissimo), covers all musical time signatures (4/4, 3/4, 6/8, and more), accents the first beat of each measure for better orientation, and offers customizable sounds including click, wood block, and digital beeps. Whether you're practicing piano, guitar, drums, singing, or any musical instrument, using a metronome is crucial for developing musicality, improving timing precision, learning complex rhythms, and playing with other musicians. The tool is perfect for practice sessions, teaching lessons, composition work, and even non-musical activities like interval training, meditation timing, or any activity requiring consistent tempo marking. Unlike physical metronomes that require batteries or winding, our online version is always available, never needs maintenance, and can be accessed from phones, tablets, or computers wherever you practice.
Key Features
Wide Tempo Range
Adjust tempo from 40 BPM (Grave - very slow) to 240 BPM (Prestissimo - extremely fast). Covers all standard musical tempos including Largo, Adagio, Andante, Moderato, Allegro, Presto, and everything in between. Fine-tune in 1 BPM increments for precise tempo control.
Multiple Time Signatures
Select from common time signatures: 4/4 (common time), 3/4 (waltz time), 2/4, 6/8, 5/4, 7/8, and more. The metronome accents the first beat of each measure (downbeat), helping you feel where measures begin and maintain proper phrasing.
Tap Tempo Feature
Set tempo by tapping a button in rhythm rather than entering a number. Tap at the desired speed, and the metronome calculates the BPM automatically. Perfect when you have a tempo in mind but don't know the exact BPM number, or when matching tempo to a recording.
Visual Beat Indicator
Watch a visual animation that pulses with each beat. The visual indicator helps you see the beat in addition to hearing it, which is especially useful in loud environments, for hearing-impaired users, or when practicing without disturbing others.
Customizable Sounds
Choose from multiple metronome sounds: traditional mechanical click, wood block, cowbell, digital beep, or drum stick. Different sounds work better for different instruments and preferences. Accent beats can have a different pitch or sound than regular beats.
Volume Control
Adjust metronome volume independently of your device volume. Set it loud enough to hear over your instrument, or quiet for subtle timing reinforcement. Volume control ensures the metronome works in any practice environment without being too loud or too soft.
Tempo Presets
Quick access to common musical tempo markings: Largo (40-60 BPM), Adagio (66-76 BPM), Andante (76-108 BPM), Moderato (108-120 BPM), Allegro (120-168 BPM), Presto (168-200 BPM), and Prestissimo (200+ BPM). Jump to standard tempos instantly.
Subdivision Options
Practice with beat subdivisions like eighth notes, triplets, or sixteenth notes. Subdivisions help you feel internal rhythmic divisions and improve timing accuracy for complex passages. Toggle subdivisions on or off during practice.
How to Use the Online Metronome
Set your desired tempo (BPM)
Use the slider, +/- buttons, or type a specific number. Alternatively, use the 'Tap Tempo' button—tap in rhythm and the metronome will match your tapped tempo automatically.
Select your time signature from the dropdown menu
Choose 4/4 for most common music, 3/4 for waltzes, 6/8 for compound meter, or other signatures as needed. The first beat of each measure will be accented.
Choose your preferred metronome sound from the sound options
Try different sounds to find one that works well with your instrument and practice environment. Mechanical click is traditional, but digital beeps or wood blocks may cut through better.
Adjust volume to a comfortable level where you can hear the metronome clearly while playing but it's not overwhelming
The metronome should guide your timing without dominating your practice session.
Enable subdivisions if you're working on complex rhythms or fast passages
Subdivisions provide more frequent clicks within each beat, helping you internalize sixteenth notes, triplets, or other divisions.
Click the 'Start' button to begin the metronome
The beats will be played at your selected tempo with the first beat of each measure accented. A visual indicator pulses with each beat for visual reinforcement.
Practice playing along with the metronome, focusing on lining up your notes with the clicks
Start slowly at a comfortable tempo, then gradually increase speed as you master the passage.
Click 'Stop' to pause the metronome when you need to adjust settings, take a break, or work on different aspects of your practice
The settings are saved for when you resume.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BPM and how do I choose the right tempo?
BPM (Beats Per Minute) measures tempo—how fast the music moves. 60 BPM is one beat per second. Common tempos: Adagio (slow, 66-76 BPM), Moderate (108-120 BPM), Allegro (fast, 120-168 BPM). Choose tempo based on the piece's character, your skill level, or composer's marking. When learning, start slower than target tempo, then gradually increase.
Should I always practice with a metronome?
Not always. Metronomes are excellent for building timing skills and learning new pieces, but music isn't robotic. Once you've developed solid timing, practice without a metronome to develop musical expression and natural tempo flexibility. Use metronomes for technique building and challenging passages, then apply musicality freely.
What time signature should I use?
Use the time signature of the music you're practicing. Most popular and classical music is in 4/4 (four beats per measure), waltzes are in 3/4 (three beats per measure), and some folk/jazz is in 6/8 (six beats per measure in two groups of three). The time signature determines which beat is accented—usually the first beat.
What is the tap tempo feature?
Tap tempo lets you set BPM by tapping in rhythm rather than entering a number. Tap the button steadily at your desired tempo (usually 4-8 taps), and the metronome calculates the BPM automatically. This is useful when you have a tempo in mind but don't know the exact number, or when matching recorded music.
Why practice with subdivisions?
Subdivisions (eighth notes, triplets, sixteenth notes) help you feel the internal rhythm between beats. They're especially useful for fast passages where you need to place notes between main beats accurately. Practicing with subdivisions builds internal timing precision and makes complex rhythms easier to execute accurately.
Can using a metronome make playing sound too mechanical?
Only if you rely on it exclusively. Metronomes build timing accuracy and consistency, but music requires expression and slight tempo variations (rubato). Use metronomes to develop solid timing foundation, then add musical interpretation. The goal is internalized steady pulse that you can vary expressively, not robotic perfection.
How do I practice speeding up passages?
Start at a slow tempo where you can play the passage perfectly (even if very slow). Practice several times at this tempo, then increase by 5-10 BPM. Repeat at the new tempo until comfortable, then increase again. This gradual approach builds muscle memory correctly and prevents mistakes from becoming habits. Patience pays off.
Should I accent the first beat or all beats equally?
For most music, accenting the first beat (downbeat) is correct—it helps you feel where measures begin and maintain proper phrasing. The metronome typically accents downbeats automatically based on your time signature. For pure rhythm training or some contemporary music, equal beats might be preferred. Adjust accent settings based on your needs.
Use Cases
- Instrument Practice and Technique Building: Use the metronome during practice sessions to develop consistent timing and tempo control. Start slow when learning new pieces, gradually increasing tempo as muscle memory develops. This systematic approach builds technique properly and prevents speeding up or slowing down unconsciously.
- Music Education and Teaching: Teachers can use the metronome to demonstrate proper tempo, help students feel steady pulse, and ensure consistent practice at home. Students learn to keep time accurately, which is fundamental to musical development. The visual beat indicator helps visual learners understand rhythm.
- Ensemble and Band Practice: When practicing with other musicians, use a metronome to maintain consistent tempo and stay synchronized. This prevents the common problem of groups speeding up or slowing down together. Shared tempo keeps everyone on the same rhythmic page.
- Composition and Songwriting: Composers can use the metronome to experiment with different tempos for compositions, establish the right feel for a piece, and maintain consistent tempo when recording demos or sketching musical ideas. It helps visualize how different tempos affect mood and energy.
- Rhythm and Timing Training: Beyond playing instruments, use the metronome for pure rhythm training. Clap, tap, or count along with the metronome to develop internal sense of pulse. This fundamental skill improves all musical activities and helps musicians stay in time even without a metronome.