This free online metronome keeps perfect time so you can practise, record and play in rhythm. Set the tempo, choose your time signature, and press start — no download, no app, all in your browser.
How to use the online metronome
- Set your tempo with the slider, or fine-tune it with the plus and minus buttons.
- Choose how many beats are in each bar — 2, 3, 4 or 6 — to match the song’s time signature.
- Press Start. The first beat of every bar is accented with a higher click so you always know where the bar begins.
- Play or practise along with the beat. Press stop whenever you’re done.
What is a metronome?
A metronome is a tool that produces a steady click at a set tempo, measured in beats per minute (BPM). Musicians use it to keep consistent timing while practising or recording. Instead of speeding up during easy passages and slowing down during hard ones, you lock in to the click and train your internal sense of rhythm. A free metronome online like this one does everything a traditional wind-up metronome does, with the added bonus of accent beats and adjustable time signatures.
Common tempo markings
Classical music describes tempo with Italian terms. Here is how they map to BPM on the metronome:
| Marking | Feel | BPM range |
|---|---|---|
| Largo | Very slow | 40 – 60 BPM |
| Adagio | Slow | 60 – 76 BPM |
| Andante | Walking pace | 76 – 108 BPM |
| Moderato | Moderate | 108 – 120 BPM |
| Allegro | Fast | 120 – 156 BPM |
| Vivace | Lively | 156 – 176 BPM |
| Presto | Very fast | 176 – 240 BPM |
Why practise with a metronome
- Steady timing — the click trains you to hold a consistent tempo instead of drifting.
- Cleaner recordings — playing to a metronome (or click track) keeps your takes in time so they line up in your DAW.
- Faster progress — start a tricky passage slow, then nudge the tempo up a few BPM at a time until you can play it up to speed.
- Tighter bands — when everyone practises to the same beat, the whole group stays locked together.
Tips for getting the most from the metronome
- Begin below performance tempo and increase it gradually as the part becomes comfortable.
- Use the accented first beat to feel the bar, especially in 3/4 or 6/8 time.
- Try practising with the click only on beats 2 and 4 to build a stronger internal pulse.
- If you’re recording, match the metronome BPM to the tempo set in your DAW.
Frequently asked questions
Is this online metronome free?
Yes. This free metronome runs in your browser with no download, no app and no sign-up.
What tempo range does it cover?
The metronome goes from 40 BPM (very slow) up to 240 BPM (very fast), covering every common musical tempo.
Can I change the time signature?
Yes. Choose 2, 3, 4 or 6 beats per bar and the first beat of each bar is accented automatically.
Do I need to know the song’s BPM first?
If you’re not sure of the tempo, use our BPM Tapper to find it, then set that number on the metronome.