Music Tempo & BPM Calculator
1. Calculate BPM from Timing
2. Calculate Song Duration
3. Delay & Reverb Timing (ms)
How to Use the Tempo Calculator
Tempo, measured in Beats Per Minute (BPM), is the heartbeat of any musical composition. Whether you are a DJ matching tracks, a producer setting up delay times, or a composer timing a score to a video, understanding the math behind the rhythm is essential.
Calculating BPM from Time
If you have a recorded loop or a specific number of beats and want to know the exact tempo, use the first calculator. For example, if 4 beats occur over exactly 2 seconds, the calculation is (4 beats / 2 seconds) * 60 seconds = 120 BPM. This is vital for sample-based production to ensure your loops sync perfectly with your project tempo.
Determining Track Length
When planning an arrangement, you might need to know how long a 128-bar song will be at 124 BPM. In 4/4 time, each bar has 4 beats. The formula used is: ((Bars * Beats Per Bar) / BPM) * 60. At 120 BPM, a standard 32-bar section lasts exactly 64 seconds.
Common Musical Tempos by Genre
| Genre | Typical BPM Range |
|---|---|
| Dub / Reggae | 60 – 90 BPM |
| Hip Hop | 85 – 115 BPM |
| House | 115 – 130 BPM |
| Techno | 120 – 150 BPM |
| Drum and Bass | 160 – 185 BPM |
Delay and Pre-Delay Calculations
For audio engineers, timing effects like delay or reverb pre-delay to the BPM of a track creates a "breathing" effect that feels natural. A quarter note at 120 BPM is exactly 500 milliseconds. Using our millisecond calculator, you can find the perfect settings for 1/4, 1/8, and 1/16 notes to keep your mix clean and rhythmic.