A time signature tells you how the beats in a song are grouped. It is written as two numbers stacked like a fraction. The top number says how many beats are in each bar. The bottom number says which note value counts as one beat. In 4/4, there are four beats in a bar and each beat is a quarter note.
How to read the two numbers
| Bottom number | One beat is a… |
|---|---|
| 2 | Half note |
| 4 | Quarter note |
| 8 | Eighth note |
So 3/4 means three quarter-note beats per bar, and 6/8 means six eighth-note beats per bar.
The common time signatures
4/4: common time
Four beats per bar, counted 1, 2, 3, 4. Most pop, rock, hip hop and electronic music is in 4/4, which is why it is also called common time and is sometimes written as a C. The strongest beat is 1, and in most popular styles the snare lands on 2 and 4.
3/4: waltz time
Three beats per bar, counted 1, 2, 3, with the weight on 1. It gives a swaying, “ONE two three” feel. Waltzes are in 3/4.
2/4
Two beats per bar, counted 1, 2. Common in marches and polkas.
6/8
Six eighth notes per bar, but they are felt in two groups of three: 1 2 3, 4 5 6, with weight on 1 and 4. So 6/8 usually feels like two big beats, each split into three. Many ballads use it.
12/8
Twelve eighth notes, felt as four groups of three. It sounds like 4/4 with a triplet, shuffling feel. Slow blues often uses 12/8.
Simple vs compound time
- Simple time (2/4, 3/4, 4/4): each beat splits into two equal halves. Count “1 and 2 and”.
- Compound time (6/8, 9/8, 12/8): each beat splits into three. Count “1 and a, 2 and a”.
This is why 3/4 and 6/8 feel different even though both bars hold the same total length of notes: 3/4 is three beats of two, while 6/8 is two beats of three.
Odd time signatures
Some songs use meters that do not split evenly, such as 5/4 or 7/8. The trick to counting them is to break each bar into smaller groups of twos and threes:
- 5/4 is often counted 3 + 2: “1 2 3, 1 2”.
- 7/8 is often counted 2 + 2 + 3 or 3 + 2 + 2.
Odd meters are common in progressive rock, jazz and many folk traditions.
Time signature vs tempo
These are separate. The time signature says how beats are grouped. The tempo, measured in beats per minute (BPM), says how fast those beats go. A song can be in 4/4 at 70 BPM or 4/4 at 170 BPM. To find a song’s tempo, tap along with our BPM Tapper or drop the file into the Key and BPM Finder.
How to find a song’s time signature by ear
- Tap along to the steady pulse.
- Listen for the strongest beat, often where the kick drum hits hardest or the chords change. Call that “1”.
- Count the beats until the next strong beat. Four is the most likely answer, then three.
- If the beats feel like they split into threes, try 6/8 or 12/8.
Setting the time signature in your DAW
Every DAW has a time signature setting next to the tempo, usually defaulting to 4/4. Set it before you record so the grid, the bar numbers and the metronome click line up with your music. Our online metronome can also practise in different meters.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common time signature?
4/4. Most pop, rock, hip hop and dance music is written in it.
What is the difference between 3/4 and 6/8?
Both bars are the same length, but 3/4 has three beats that each split into two, while 6/8 has two beats that each split into three. They feel different: 3/4 sways in three, 6/8 rocks in two.
Does the time signature change the speed?
No. Speed is the tempo, measured in BPM. The time signature only says how beats are grouped into bars.
Can a song change time signature?
Yes. Some songs switch meter for a bar or a whole section. In a DAW you can add a time signature change at any bar.
Next, learn how songs are built from sections in our guide to song structure, or how chords move in common chord progressions.
