Online metronome
Set the tempo, meter and accents, then practise with subdivisions, the speed trainer or silent bars. Space to start, arrow keys to change tempo, T to tap the tempo.
Click a beat to change its accent: strong, normal, weak, silent.
How to use the metronome
- Tempo: slider, −10 / −1 / +1 / +10 buttons, arrow keys or “Tap” (tap at least twice at the tempo you want).
- Meter: 1 to 15 beats, quarter, eighth or half-note unit. For odd meters, set the grouping: 7/8 = 2+2+3, 5/4 = 3+2.
- Accents: each beat can be strong, normal, weak or silent (e.g. keep only beats 2 and 4 to practise the backbeat).
- Speed trainer: the tempo goes up (or down) by a chosen number of BPM every n bars, to work on a hard passage.
- Silent bars: the metronome drops out for a few bars; keep playing and check you land back on beat one.
Frequently asked questions
Is the metronome accurate?
Yes: clicks are scheduled ahead on the browser's audio clock, not with JavaScript timers. The tempo does not drift, even on a busy page.
How do I get a swing feel?
Pick the “Swing” subdivision: each beat is split into a long eighth (2/3 of the beat) and a short one (1/3), as in jazz.
See also: the bass rhythm trainer, which measures your timing through the mic, and ear training.
Five ways to practise with a metronome
- Slow practice: play the hard passage at a tempo where it is perfect, even very slow (60% of the target). Accuracy is built slowly; speed comes afterwards.
- Tempo ladder: with gradual acceleration, add 2–4 BPM every 2 or 4 bars. When you lose it, drop 10 BPM and climb again.
- Backbeat: accent only beats 2 and 4 (the others muted); it is the drummer's pulse in rock, pop and jazz.
- Silent bars: 2 bars on, 2 bars off. If you land exactly on beat one, your inner tempo is solid.
- Subdivisions: hearing eighths or triplets helps place fast notes and keep even eighth notes.
Tempo markings
- Largo: about 40–60 BPM, very slow.
- Adagio: about 66–76 BPM.
- Andante: about 76–108 BPM, a walking pace.
- Moderato: about 108–120 BPM.
- Allegro: about 120–156 BPM, fast and bright.
- Presto: about 168–200 BPM.
These ranges vary between periods and editions: an Italian marking first describes a character. Pop songs often sit between 100 and 130 BPM, ballads between 60 and 80.
Odd meters and polyrhythms
- 7/8: rarely counted as 7 equal eighths. Enter the grouping (2+2+3 or 3+2+2): the accent falls at the start of each group, as in Balkan music.
- 6/8: two beats of three eighths, not to be confused with 3/4 (three beats of two eighths).
- 3 against 2: three even notes in the time of two. Listen to the polyrhythm first, then tap one hand per voice; it underlies many African and Latin rhythms.
Good to know
- The metronome works from the keyboard: Space to start, arrows for tempo, T to tap the tempo of a recording.
- The flash on beat one helps in noisy rooms or with closed headphones.
- To measure your real accuracy with a microphone, try the rhythm exercises.
Guide written and checked by Erwan Hautot · updated 3 November 2026.