What is an Online Metronome?
An online metronome is a free tool that marks a steady beat with sound and visuals, helping you keep an accurate tempo while practicing music. It is essential for building rhythmic precision on any instrument-piano, guitar, violin, drums-and for practicing a piece by gradually increasing the tempo from slow to fast. No install or sign-up is needed; just press start in your browser.
This metronome uses Web Audio API precise-timing scheduling to eliminate the beat drift commonly seen in setInterval-based tools. It supports a BPM range of 30-300, multiple time signatures, tap tempo, downbeat accent, beat subdivisions, and timbre and volume control, and it is optimized for dark mode and mobile touch.
Key Features
Precise BPM Control (30-300)
Dial in the tempo with a slider, direct number entry, +/- buttons, and left/right arrow keys for fine 1-5 BPM adjustments.
Automatic Tap Tempo
Tap the screen or the Space/T key to the beat and the BPM is calculated from the average interval, quickly matching a song's tempo.
Time Signatures & Subdivisions
Supports 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 6/8, 9/8, and 12/8 with eighth, sixteenth, and triplet subdivisions plus a downbeat accent.
Drift-Free Accurate Timing
Web Audio lookahead scheduling keeps the beat steady even across tab switches and high BPMs, with a visual pulse to follow by eye.
How to Use
- Set the BPM: Drag the slider or type a number, then fine-tune with the +/- buttons or left/right arrow keys.
- Choose time signature & subdivision: Pick a signature like 4/4, 3/4, or 6/8, and enable eighth, sixteenth, or triplet subdivisions if needed.
- Use tap tempo: Tap the button to the beat of a song or press the T key to find the BPM automatically.
- Adjust the sound: Set the click timbre and volume, and enable the downbeat accent to emphasize the first beat of each measure.
- Start/stop: Play with the start button or the spacebar, and follow the beat with the visual pulse and beat dots.
Use Cases
Instrument Practice
Build solid rhythmic timing on piano, guitar, violin, and any instrument by playing along to a steady beat.
Gradual Speed Practice
Master difficult passages by starting at a slow BPM and gradually increasing the tempo until it is stable.
Drum & Rhythm Training
Use subdivisions and time signatures to practice eighth, sixteenth, and triplet rhythms and polyrhythms accurately.
Vocal & Choir Practice
Keep a song's tempo to align breathing and phrasing, and set a shared tempo before an ensemble rehearsal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this online metronome really free?
Yes, it is completely free. There is no sign-up or app installation required, and no usage limits. You can use every feature, including BPM control, time signatures, tap tempo, and downbeat accent, without any restrictions.
Is it more accurate than a setInterval-based metronome?
Yes. Typical setInterval metronomes drift when the browser tab goes to the background or at high BPMs. This tool uses Web Audio API lookahead scheduling, pre-scheduling each click against the audio clock's currentTime for near sample-accurate timing without drift.
How do I use Tap Tempo?
Tap the button repeatedly to the beat of a song, or press the T key, and the BPM is automatically calculated from the average of your recent tap intervals and applied. It is handy for quickly finding a song's tempo when you don't know it.
Which time signatures are supported?
It supports 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 6/8, 9/8, and 12/8. You can also subdivide each beat into eighth notes, sixteenth notes, or triplets for tighter rhythm practice, and the first beat of each measure is emphasized with an accent.
Can I use it on my phone?
Yes, it is optimized for mobile browsers. All controls work by touch, and you can tap the screen to measure tap tempo. Note that some mobile browsers may pause audio when the screen turns off, so keep the screen on while practicing.
Are my BPM, time signature, and sound settings saved?
Yes. All settings, including BPM, time signature, subdivision, timbre, volume, and accent, are automatically saved in your browser (localStorage) and restored on your next visit. This data is never sent to any server.
Privacy Notice
This metronome runs 100% in your browser. The click sounds are generated on your device with the Web Audio API, and all settings-BPM, time signature, timbre, volume, and more-are stored only in your browser's localStorage. No data is ever sent to a server or shared externally, so you can use it with complete peace of mind.