How to use the bpm counter (tap tempo)
- Play the song or keep the beat in your head, then press the big Tap button once on each beat. You can also use the Space bar or Enter key while the button is focused, or tap the button on a touch screen.
- After the second tap the tempo appears. It keeps updating as you tap, and four to eight taps give a steady figure.
- Read the beats per minute to one decimal, the whole number, the half time and double time values and the milliseconds per beat.
- Press Reset to start again. The count also restarts by itself after a pause of two and a half seconds.
How the tempo is worked out
Each tap is stamped with a high resolution clock. The tempo comes from the first and last taps in the current run: the number of gaps between taps, divided by the time they took, times 60,000 milliseconds per minute. Using the whole span instead of only the last gap smooths out small timing errors in your fingers.
The tool keeps the latest 16 taps, so if the tempo drifts it follows the music instead of averaging a whole song. For example, taps 500 milliseconds apart give 120 BPM, and taps a full second apart give 60 BPM. Timing uses timestamps and not a repeating timer, so it stays accurate even if your browser is busy.
Half time and double time
Many songs can be felt at two speeds. A track at 70 BPM can also be counted at 140 BPM if you tap the off beats. The half time and double time lines show both, so you can match the number to the way you play or dance to the piece.
DJs, runners and dancers often pick the version that fits their range. Runners aiming for a cadence of about 170 to 180 steps a minute can use the double time figure of a slower song.
Tips for an accurate tap
Small habits make the biggest difference to the reading.
- Tap on the strongest beat you can feel, often the kick drum or the downbeat.
- Wait for a stable groove. Tapping during an intro with no clear beat gives a poor result.
- Use a headphone or speaker without delay. Wireless audio can arrive a fraction of a second late, but the delay is constant and does not change the tempo.
- Repeat the measurement a few times and take the whole number that comes up most often.
Assumptions and limits
- The tempo is the average over your latest taps and assumes the beat is steady. Songs with tempo changes need a fresh count in each section.
- Your tapping accuracy limits the result. Four taps can be off by several BPM, and a longer run is more accurate.
- Nothing is recorded or uploaded. The tool does not listen through your microphone.
- Copying the result copies the BPM figures as text.
Frequently asked questions
How many taps do I need for an accurate BPM?
Two taps give a reading, but four to eight steady taps are much better because small errors even out. Keep tapping for ten or more beats if you need the figure to the nearest whole BPM.
Why does the BPM change as I keep tapping?
Your taps are never perfectly even, and the reading is the average of recent taps. It settles toward the true tempo as you add more. If it keeps drifting, the music may have a variable tempo or you may be tapping both on and off the beat.
What is the difference between BPM and cadence?
BPM counts beats of music, and cadence counts steps or pedal turns per minute. A runner matching one step to each beat has the same number for both, which is why runners often use BPM to choose music.
Can I use the keyboard instead of the mouse?
Yes. Tab to the Tap button and press Space or Enter on each beat. Keyboard taps can be more accurate than a mouse because there is no pointer to move.