Online Metronome

What this online metronome does

This online metronome plays a steady click at a tempo you choose, measured in beats per minute (BPM). It is designed for quick, practical use: type in a BPM value, start the click, and practice your instrument or rhythm exercises in time with the pulse.

The tool runs entirely in your browser and uses JavaScript timing together with the Web Audio API to generate short audio ticks. Because it is browser-based, there is nothing to install and it works on most modern desktops, laptops, tablets, and phones.

How to use this online metronome

1. Choose a tempo by entering a value in the Beats per minute field (between 20 and 300 BPM).
2. Set your device volume to a comfortable level and make sure sound is enabled for your browser.
3. Click the Start button to begin the metronome click.
4. Play or clap along with the beats, focusing on staying exactly with the click.
5. Click Stop to pause the metronome at any time.
6. Adjust the BPM up or down as you need, then press Start again.

For most practice, it is helpful to start with a slower tempo where you can play comfortably and then increase the BPM in small steps as you gain control and accuracy.

Tempo, BPM, and the time between beats

Tempo in music describes how fast or slow a piece should be played. In modern notation, tempo is usually given in beats per minute (BPM). A higher BPM means faster beats and a quicker overall feel; a lower BPM means slower beats and a more relaxed pace.

This metronome converts your BPM setting into the time between clicks. If we call the interval between beats t (in seconds) and the tempo BPM (beats per minute), the relationship is:

In words, the time between successive beats is the number of seconds in a minute (60) divided by the BPM value you select.

• At 60 BPM: t = 60 / 60 = 1 second between clicks.
• At 120 BPM: t = 60 / 120 = 0.5 seconds between clicks.
• At 90 BPM: t = 60 / 90 ≈ 0.67 seconds between clicks.

The script behind this page uses that interval to schedule audio pulses so you hear a regular, even beat that you can align with your playing.

Common tempo markings and BPM ranges

Traditional sheet music often uses Italian words instead of numeric BPM values to indicate tempo. The table below shows how several common markings typically map to BPM ranges. Exact values vary with style, interpretation, and period, but these ranges are widely used as a guide.

With this metronome you can translate those markings into concrete practice tempos. For instance, if your score says “Allegro”, you might begin at 120 BPM to learn the piece and gradually work toward a faster setting in the Allegro range as your technique improves.

Worked example: building up a passage with BPM changes

Suppose you are learning a 16-bar passage of sixteenth notes that is marked Allegro. You want it ultimately to feel comfortable at 132 BPM, but that tempo is too fast for accurate playing right now. You can use the metronome to create a structured, repeatable practice path.

Step 1: Find an initial comfortable tempo

First, play the passage without the metronome and notice roughly how fast you can play it cleanly. Then:

• Set the metronome to 80 BPM.
• Click Start and play the passage several times.
• If it still feels rushed, lower the BPM to 70 or even 60 until mistakes mostly disappear.

At this stage you are prioritizing accuracy and consistent rhythm over speed.

Step 2: Increase tempo in small increments

Once you can reliably play the passage at your starting tempo, move the BPM up gradually:

• Increase the tempo by 4–8 BPM at a time (for example, 80, 88, 96, 104, 112, 120).
• At each new tempo, play the passage two or three times without major errors before increasing again.
• If you start to stumble, drop the tempo back by one step and rebuild consistency there.

Using the interval formula above, going from 80 BPM to 120 BPM shortens the time between beats from 0.75 seconds to 0.5 seconds. That tighter spacing forces you to coordinate finger movements more efficiently while still keeping the rhythm under control.

Step 3: Approach and test the target tempo

Eventually you will reach practice tempos close to your goal, such as 124 or 128 BPM. You can then:

• Alternate a few runs at a challenging tempo (for example, 132 BPM) with runs at a slightly slower, comfortable tempo (for example, 120 BPM).
• Listen carefully for any tendency to rush the sixteenth notes or lag behind the click on difficult shifts.
• Stop the metronome occasionally and try to continue internally, then restart it to check how close your inner pulse is.

This kind of deliberate, BPM-based progression is one of the most effective ways to make difficult passages performance-ready while protecting your technique from tension and bad habits.

Interpreting what you hear from the metronome

When you practice with the metronome, aim for the click to feel like part of your playing rather than something external you are chasing. Some helpful points to keep in mind:

• If the click seems ahead of you, you are dragging. Focus on initiating your notes a little sooner so attacks land exactly with the sound.
• If the click seems to lag behind, you are rushing. Relax your movements and let the click pull you back to a steadier pace.
• If the click almost disappears into your playing, your timing is well aligned. Try to maintain that feeling across dynamic changes, articulations, and shifts.

You can also change how you relate to the beat. For example, you might:

• Let the click represent quarter notes and count along: “1-2-3-4”.
• Subdivide internally so each beat contains two or four smaller pulses (eighth or sixteenth notes).
• Set the click to half notes or whole notes and practice feeling several beats between each audible reference.

These approaches all build stronger internal time so that you rely less on the metronome during actual performance.

Practical practice ideas by instrument or style

Here are some simple ways to incorporate this metronome into your regular practice routine:

• Piano and keyboards: Use slower BPMs (for example, 50–80) for hands-separate work on scales and arpeggios, then gradually increase as you add the other hand.
• Guitar and bass: Practice picking patterns, chord changes, and riffs at a tempo where you can keep every note even. Many players target 60–100 BPM for detailed technique work.
• Drums and percussion: Use the click as your “bandmate” while working on rudiments, grooves, and fills. Try practicing with the click on different parts of the bar (for example, only on beat 2 and 4) to challenge your internal clock.
• Classical instruments: For long phrases, set a moderate tempo and concentrate on keeping the line smooth without letting the pulse drift when dynamics change.
• Singers: Use the metronome to stabilize entrances, syncopations, and rhythmic lyrics, especially in ensemble music where rhythmic precision is crucial.

FAQ

What BPM should I practice at?

Choose the slowest BPM at which you can play the passage comfortably and in time. For new or difficult material this is often much slower than the final performance tempo. When you can play cleanly several times in a row, increase the tempo in small steps.

Can I use this metronome for drum practice?

Yes. Drummers and percussionists can use the click as a reference for rudiments, grooves, and coordination exercises. Make sure your device volume is high enough to cut through the sound of the drums or route audio to headphones.

Does this metronome work offline?

The page requires an initial internet connection to load. After it has loaded, behavior may depend on your browser and device. For the most reliable results, use it while you are online.

Why is there a delay before I hear sound?

Some browsers ask for permission to play audio or require user interaction (such as a click) before enabling sound. Ensure the page has focus, your volume is turned up, and your system is not muted. If issues continue, try a different browser or device.

Limitations and assumptions

This online metronome is intended as a straightforward practice aid rather than a full-featured sequencing or synchronization tool. It assumes you are using a relatively modern browser with JavaScript and audio support enabled. On older or heavily loaded devices there may be small variations in timing compared with a dedicated hardware metronome, especially at very fast tempos.

The click sound is generated locally on your device, so its loudness and clarity depend on your speakers or headphones. For serious ensemble synchronization, studio recording, or situations where absolute frame-accurate timing is required, you may want to use professional tools (such as digital audio workstations or specialized hardware) in addition to this browser-based metronome.