Online Metronome
Set the tempo and beats per bar and press start for a steady click.
What this tool does
A metronome plays a steady click so you can practise in time. Set the tempo from 20 to 300 beats per minute, choose how many beats make a bar, optionally accent the first beat, and press Start. Use Tap tempo to find a song's speed, or download a WAV click track to practise away from the screen.
Plays a click at the tempo you set and highlights the current beat.
Supports tap tempo and exports a click track.
How to use it
- Set the tempo with the slider, the +1/−1 buttons or tap tempo.
- Choose the beats per bar and whether to accent the first.
- Press Start.
- Optionally download a click track of a number of bars.
Why use this tool
Keeps steady time by scheduling clicks on the Web Audio clock, not with timers that drift, so the tempo stays accurate even when the page is busy. Practising with a metronome builds steady timing, and a browser metronome means there is nothing to buy or install. Accurate timing matters, which is why the clicks are scheduled ahead on the audio clock.
Why we built it
We built the metronome to schedule clicks on the Web Audio clock rather than timers that drift, and to export a click track. Find a tempo with the BPM counter and play reference pitches with the tone generator.
Who this tool is for
- Musicians practising
- Teachers and students in music lessons
- Singers and drummers setting a click
When to use it
- Practising an instrument.
- Setting a tempo for songs, drills or exercises.
- Running timed rhythm exercises.
- Making a backing click for recording.
How it works
Each click is scheduled a short time ahead on the Web Audio clock, which is far more precise than JavaScript timers. The visual beat indicator follows the same schedule. Tap tempo averages the gaps between your last eight taps.
Tempo names are traditional ranges: Largo about 40-60 BPM, Andante 76-108, Moderato 108-120, Allegro 120-156 and Presto 168 and up.
What you give it, and what you get back
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tempo | 20 to 300 BPM. |
| Beats per bar | 1 to 12. |
| Accent and volume | Accent the first beat; volume 5 to 100%. |
| Output | A live click, and an optional WAV click track. |
Issues you may run into
| What you see | Why it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No sound | The browser has the tab muted or the volume is low. | Unmute the tab and raise the volume. |
| Timing seems off on a phone | Phone speakers and Bluetooth add latency. | Use wired headphones. |
| Stops when the screen locks | Browsers pause audio in some background states. | Keep the screen on, or use the click-track file. |
Assumptions and limitations
- A simple click; no subdivisions or polyrhythms.
- Tempo changes take effect on the next beat.
Frequently asked questions
How does an online metronome work?
It plays a click at regular intervals set by the beats per minute.
What BPM should I practise at?
Start slower than you can play comfortably and increase gradually.
How do I find the BPM of a song?
Use tap tempo, tapping along to the beat.
What does 4/4 mean?
Four beats per bar; set Beats per bar to 4.
Can I use it offline?
Once the page has loaded, the metronome keeps working without a connection.
Is my text or file sent anywhere?
No. Everything runs in your browser and nothing leaves the page.