Metronome — Free Online Metronome with Tempo Control
Keep perfect time with a customizable metronome. Adjust tempo from 20 to 300 BPM, choose time signatures, and toggle accent clicks — all with visual beat indicators. 100% client-side — nothing leaves your browser.
How to Use the Metronome
- Set tempo — drag the BPM slider or use the arrow keys to adjust between 20 and 300 BPM.
- Choose time signature — select 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 6/8, or 7/8 to match your piece.
- Start / Stop — click Start or press Space to begin. Click again to stop.
- Tap tempo — tap the T key or the Tap button in rhythm to automatically detect your desired BPM.
- Accent toggle — enable accent to hear a higher-pitched click on beat 1 of each measure.
- Visual feedback — watch the beat indicators light up in sync with the metronome clicks.
Why Use This Metronome
This metronome uses the Web Audio API's OscillatorNode to produce precise, click-free timing that does not drift. Unlike mechanical metronomes or basic audio-file players, it generates sounds in real time with sample-accurate scheduling, ensuring your tempo stays locked even during long practice sessions.
The tap tempo feature lets you match the metronome to an existing beat by simply tapping along. Combined with six time signatures and an optional accent on beat 1, this tool covers everything from simple 4/4 rock beats to complex odd-meter patterns.
How It Works
A metronome produces evenly spaced clicks at a precise tempo measured in Beats Per Minute (BPM).
The Web Audio API schedules each click on the audio thread using AudioContext.currentTime,
achieving sample-accurate timing that never drifts — unlike timer-based approaches that suffer
from event-loop jitter.
Time signatures determine how beats are grouped within each measure. In 4/4 time, there are four quarter-note beats per measure. The accent feature plays a higher-pitched click on beat 1, helping you feel the downbeat — essential for waltz time (3/4) or compound meters (6/8).
Tempo Markings Reference
| Marking | BPM Range | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Largo | 40–60 BPM | Very slow and broad |
| Adagio | 66–76 BPM | Slow and stately |
| Moderato | 108–120 BPM | Moderate pace |
| Allegro | 120–156 BPM | Fast and lively |
| Presto | 168–200 BPM | Very fast |
Tips for Practice Routines
- Start slow — master accuracy at a comfortable tempo before increasing BPM.
- Use incremental increases of 5 BPM to build speed without sacrificing precision.
- Practice difficult passages at half or double time to internalize the rhythm differently.
- Record yourself playing with the metronome to identify timing issues you might miss live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Each time you tap, the tool records the interval between taps. After three or more taps, it averages the recent intervals and converts them to BPM. Tap steadily for the most accurate result — stray taps are filtered out automatically.
Audio file playback can drift due to buffering delays and system load. The Web Audio API schedules oscillator clicks with sub-millisecond precision using the audio thread, which runs independently of the JavaScript event loop. This keeps timing accurate even at extreme tempos.
The metronome is designed for practice and rehearsal. For live performance, we recommend using a dedicated hardware metronome or in-ear monitor system, as browser audio can occasionally be interrupted by system notifications or tab throttling.
Use Cases
Instrument Practice
Keep consistent tempo while practicing scales, arpeggios, or complex passages at any speed.
Tempo Training
Gradually increase BPM to build speed and accuracy in your playing over time.
Songwriting
Experiment with different tempos and time signatures while composing new material.
Group Rehearsal
Keep an ensemble in sync during practice sessions without a dedicated conductor click track.