Metronome
Online metronome for musicians and practice. Set the audio options to generate, record, measure, or process sound in your browser.
Tool guide
About Metronome
Generate a steady browser click at a selected tempo and beats per bar. The first beat is higher pitched to mark the start of a measure, which can help with practice.
How to use this tool
- 1Set the tempo in beats per minute and choose a beats-per-bar value.
- 2Select Start Metronome and allow browser audio to begin if prompted.
- 3Stop playback when finished or change the tempo to try another pace.
How the tool works
An AudioContext oscillator creates short clicks, scheduled at an interval of 60,000 divided by BPM milliseconds. The beat counter uses a higher frequency for the first beat in each bar. Browser timers and device audio scheduling can add timing variation.
Worked real-world example
At 120 BPM, beats are nominally 500 milliseconds apart; in 4/4 the higher click returns every fourth beat.
Common scenarios and use cases
Practice timing, keep a steady pulse, or hear how tempo and meter change a bar.
Important details and limitations
This is a browser practice aid, not a precision clock. Background tabs can be throttled, and speaker latency or volume affects perception. Use dedicated audio equipment for performance-critical timing.
Check the output unit as well as the number. If the result will be reused in another calculation, retain full precision where possible and round only at the end. For measurements governed by a technical specification, use the standard and tolerance required by that document.
Frequently asked questions
What does BPM mean?
Beats per minute; higher values mean shorter intervals.
Why is the first beat different?
It uses a higher-pitched click to mark the bar start.
Can it stay exact in a background tab?
Browser scheduling may vary, especially when a tab is inactive.