Free Online Metronome
Practice with a precise online metronome right in your browser. Features tap tempo, 6 time signatures, subdivision patterns, accent control, and visual beat tracking. Zero downloads, zero sign-ups.
Why Use Our Free Online Metronome?
Every musician needs a metronome to develop solid timing, and this one lives in your browser. No apps to install, no batteries to replace, no mechanical parts to wind up. Open the page, set your tempo, and start practicing. It uses the Web Audio API's hardware clock, so the timing is as accurate as a professional studio click track.
Unlike basic BPM counter tools that rely on JavaScript timers and drift over time, our engine uses a lookahead scheduling algorithm. It queues up audio events in advance using the system audio clock, ensuring zero jitter even during long practice sessions. Whether you're warming up scales at 60 BPM or drilling speed exercises at 200 BPM, every single click lands exactly on time.
Features of This Free Metronome App
🎯 Precision Timing Engine
Built on the Web Audio API with lookahead scheduling. No JavaScript timer drift, no missed beats. Studio-grade accuracy in your browser.
👆 Tap Tempo
Tap the button rhythmically to detect tempo on the fly. Perfect for matching the speed of a song or setting a feel without guessing BPM numbers.
🎵 Time Signatures
Choose from 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 6/8, and 7/8. The visual beat indicators adapt automatically, and the accented downbeat keeps you oriented.
🔀 Subdivisions
Add eighth notes, triplets, or sixteenths between the main beats. Subdivision clicks play quieter and lower-pitched for clear separation.
💡 Visual Beat Display
Glowing beat indicators light up on each click so you can feel and see the pulse. The first beat uses a larger animation when accent is enabled.
⌨️ Keyboard Shortcut
Press the Space bar to start and stop the metronome instantly. No need to reach for the mouse during practice.
How to Use This Online Tempo Keeper
- Set your BPM using the slider, the +/- buttons, or type a number directly into the display. The tempo marking (Allegro, Andante, etc.) updates automatically.
- Choose a time signature that matches your piece. Select 4/4 for most pop and rock music, 3/4 for waltzes, or 6/8 for compound meter feels.
- Add subdivisions if you need finer rhythmic guidance. Eighth notes work well for rock and pop, triplets for jazz and blues, sixteenths for technical exercises.
- Toggle accent on the first beat to hear a distinct click on each downbeat. This helps you stay oriented within the measure.
- Press Play (or hit Space on your keyboard) to start the click track. The beat indicators will light up in sequence as the metronome runs.
- Use Tap Tempo when you want to match a song's speed. Tap the button 4-6 times at the rhythm you hear, and the BPM adjusts automatically.
This click track tool works on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. No plugins, no Flash, no Java. Just reliable Web Audio processed in real-time.
Who Is This Beat Counter For?
Our browser-based tempo keeper is useful for any musician who cares about timing:
- Instrumentalists - Guitarists, pianists, drummers, and wind players practicing scales, arpeggios, and pieces at a controlled tempo
- Vocalists - Singers working on rhythm accuracy, phrasing, and tempo consistency during rehearsals
- Music Students - Students preparing for exams, auditions, and ensemble rehearsals where steady tempo is essential
- Producers - Beatmakers and composers confirming tempos before laying down tracks in a DAW
- Conductors and Teachers - Demonstrating tempo relationships and time signatures in a classroom or rehearsal setting
- Bands and Ensembles - Groups rehearsing together who need a shared reference click to lock in their timing
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this online metronome really free to use?
Yes. This metronome is 100% free with no sign-up, no ads blocking the interface, and no feature limits. It runs entirely in your browser using the Web Audio API.
What tempo range does this metronome support?
The tempo range spans from 20 BPM (extremely slow, useful for sustained note exercises) all the way up to 300 BPM (faster than most prestissimo passages). You can set the exact value with the slider, the +/- buttons, or direct number input.
How does the tap tempo feature work?
Click or tap the TAP button rhythmically at the speed you want. The metronome calculates the average interval between your taps and sets the BPM automatically. At least two taps are needed, and it uses up to six recent taps for accuracy.
Can I change the time signature?
Yes. This metronome supports 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 6/8, and 7/8 time signatures. Select the one you need and the beat indicators will update to match. The first beat can be accented for clear downbeat tracking.
What are subdivisions and how do I use them?
Subdivisions add smaller clicks between the main beats. Choose quarter notes for a standard click, eighth notes for double-time feel, triplets for swing or waltz patterns, or sixteenth notes for fine-grained timing practice. Subdivision clicks play at a lower pitch and volume so they stay distinct from the main beat.
Does this metronome work on mobile phones and tablets?
Yes. The interface is fully responsive and works on iOS and Android devices. Tap the play button to start, and use all the same controls. The Web Audio API ensures accurate timing on modern mobile browsers.
What is the difference between Allegro, Andante, and other tempo markings?
Tempo markings are Italian terms that indicate speed ranges. Largo is very slow (40-59 BPM), Andante is a walking pace (73-107 BPM), Moderato is medium (108-119 BPM), Allegro is fast and lively (120-155 BPM), and Presto is very fast (176-239 BPM). The current marking displays automatically as you change the BPM.
Is there any latency or timing drift?
No. This metronome uses a lookahead scheduling algorithm that schedules audio events ahead of time using the Web Audio API clock, which is hardware-accurate. There is no JavaScript timer jitter affecting the actual click timing.
Can I use this as a click track for recording?
Absolutely. The precise timing, adjustable volume, and accent options make it suitable as a click track for recording sessions. Set your tempo and time signature, plug in headphones, and record along with it in your DAW.
Do I need to install anything or create an account?
No installation or account is required. This metronome loads instantly in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Just open the page and press play.
What BPM should I practice at as a beginner?
Start slow. Set the metronome to 60-80 BPM and focus on playing each note cleanly and in time. Once you can play a passage perfectly at a slow tempo, increase the BPM by 5-10 increments. Rushing to a fast tempo before mastering accuracy builds bad habits.
How is this different from a physical metronome?
A physical metronome uses a pendulum or quartz mechanism. This digital metronome offers the same precise timekeeping plus features you cannot get mechanically, including tap tempo, time signature switching, subdivisions, accent control, and a visual beat display.