BPM Counter
Tap along to the beat to find the tempo in beats per minute.
Start tapping on the beat. The result settles after four or five taps. If you stop for more than three seconds the count starts again.
What this tool does
Tap the button, or press the space bar, in time with the music. The BPM is 60,000 divided by the average gap between taps in milliseconds, so taps 500 ms apart are 120 BPM. After four or five taps the number settles; a pause of three seconds starts a new count.
Averages the gaps between your most recent taps.
Shows BPM, rounded BPM, milliseconds per beat and half and double time.
How to use it
- Start tapping on each beat.
- Watch the BPM settle after a few taps.
- Choose how many taps to average.
- Press Reset to start again, or copy the BPM.
Why use this tool
Finds the tempo of a song by tapping along, averaging the most recent taps and showing the BPM, the time per beat and the half and double time. Knowing a song's tempo helps with DJing, practising, choosing music for a workout and matching video edits. Finding it by tapping is quick and needs no software.
Why we built it
We built the BPM counter to average your most recent taps and show half and double time, since many songs can be felt at two speeds. Practise at that speed with the metronome and change a track's speed with the audio speed changer.
Who this tool is for
- DJs matching tracks
- Musicians finding a song's tempo
- Runners choosing music for a cadence
When to use it
- Working out a song's tempo.
- Matching tracks for a DJ mix.
- Setting a metronome to a piece of music.
- Choosing running music for a target cadence.
How it works
BPM = 60,000 ÷ the average time between taps in milliseconds. The tool averages the last 4, 8 or 16 taps (or all of them) so a single early or late tap does not move the result much.
Many songs feel like they have two tempos: a track at 140 BPM can also be felt as 70. The half time and double time figures are shown for that reason.
What you give it, and what you get back
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Taps | Click the button or press the space bar on each beat. |
| Window | How many recent taps to average. |
| Output | BPM, rounded BPM, ms per beat, half time, double time. |
Issues you may run into
| What you see | Why it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The number keeps changing | Your taps are uneven. | Average over more taps. |
| It counted twice | Both a key press and a click registered. | Use only the button or only the space bar. |
| It reset | You paused for more than three seconds. | Tap again to start a new count. |
Assumptions and limitations
- Measures your tapping, not the audio itself.
- Accuracy depends on your timing.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the BPM of a song?
Tap along to the beat; the BPM updates with each tap.
How many taps do I need?
About eight give a steady value.
What is the difference between BPM and tempo?
BPM is the numerical measure of tempo, in beats per minute.
Why does the BPM seem half or double?
Songs can be felt at two speeds. Use the half or double time figure.
Does it listen to the music?
No. It only times your taps.
Is my text or file sent anywhere?
No. Everything runs in your browser and nothing leaves the page.