Tap tempo
Tap in time with a song to find its tempo. The BPM settles after a few taps and follows you if the song speeds up. No sign-up, no microphone, and nothing leaves your device.
Getting an accurate reading
- Tap on the beat you would clap to, usually the kick and snare, not every hi-hat.
- Keep going for eight taps or more. The reading averages your last eight, so one early or late tap barely moves it.
- Stop for two seconds to start over with a new song, or press Start over.
- If the number feels twice too fast or slow, the half and double tempos are shown next to it.
Tap tempo or BPM finder?
Tap when the song isn't a file you have: on the radio, at a gig, or in your head. When you do have the file, the BPM and key finder reads the tempo from the audio itself, and gives the key too.
Open the BPM and key finderWhat to do with the tempo
- Practise at it: send the reading to the metronome with one press.
- Mix it: DJs match songs within a few BPM of each other.
- Train to it: running playlists are often picked by tempo, around 150 to 180 BPM for a steady jog.
- Write to it: make a new song at the same tempo in the studio.
Questions
Does it use my microphone?
No. It only counts your taps. Nothing is recorded or sent anywhere.
How many taps does it need?
Two taps give a first number. After four it settles, and eight or more give a steady reading.
Can I tap with the keyboard?
Yes. Select the pad once, then tap with the space bar or Enter. Holding a key down counts as one tap.
Why is the BPM half or double what I expected?
You may be tapping every other beat, or twice a beat. Both are fine; the half and double tempos are shown so you can pick the one the song is counted at.
Is it free?
Yes, with no sign-up and no limit, because it runs on your own device.