How tap tempo works
Each tap records the exact time. The BPM is 60,000 divided by the average gap between taps in milliseconds. The counter uses your last 16 taps, so it settles quickly and follows the song if the tempo changes. If you pause for more than 2 seconds, it starts a new count automatically.
Typical tempos
- Hip-hop: 80–100 BPM
- Pop: 100–130 BPM
- House: 120–128 BPM
- Drum & bass: 160–180 BPM
If your reading is about half or double what you expect, you were tapping every other beat. The half-time and double-time values are shown for that reason. DJs, producers and runners use BPM to match tracks and set cadence, and musicians use the ms per beat value to time delay and reverb effects. You can also tap on any key, such as Space. For a pure reference tone, use the tone generator.
Frequently asked questions
How many taps do I need?
At least 4, but 8 to 16 gives the most accurate BPM.
Can I use the keyboard?
Yes, press any key to tap.
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