BPM Calculator
Calculate beats per minute (BPM), beat duration, and note durations for music tempo analysis
Calculate BPM and Beat Duration
Duration of one beat in seconds
Number of beats per minute
Duration of one complete measure/bar
Results
Formula used: BPM = 60 / beat duration (seconds)
Time signature: 4/4
Example Calculation
Popular Song Tempos
Ballads: 60-80 BPM (e.g., "Imagine" by John Lennon ~ 75 BPM)
Pop/Rock: 100-140 BPM (e.g., "Love Story" by Taylor Swift ~ 119 BPM)
Dance/Electronic: 120-140 BPM (e.g., typical house music ~ 128 BPM)
Hip-Hop: 70-140 BPM (e.g., "Lose Yourself" by Eminem ~ 86 BPM)
Manual BPM Calculation
1. Use a stopwatch and count beats for 15 seconds
2. Multiply the count by 4 to get BPM
3. Or count for 60 seconds for direct BPM
Example: 30 beats in 15 seconds = 30 × 4 = 120 BPM
Common BPM Ranges
BPM Tips
Tap your foot to the beat to feel the tempo
Most pop songs are between 120-140 BPM
Dance music often uses 128 BPM for easy mixing
Ballads typically range from 60-80 BPM
Human heart rate at rest is about 60-100 BPM
Understanding BPM (Beats Per Minute)
What is BPM?
BPM stands for "Beats Per Minute" and is a measure of tempo in music. It indicates how many beats occur in one minute, determining the speed or pace of a musical piece. The higher the BPM, the faster the tempo.
How to Calculate BPM
BPM = 60 / beat duration (seconds)
To find BPM, divide 60 seconds by the duration of one beat. For example, if a beat lasts 0.5 seconds: BPM = 60 / 0.5 = 120 BPM
Time Signatures
Time signatures tell us how to count beats in each measure. The top number shows how many beats per measure, and the bottom number shows what type of note gets one beat.
- 4/4: 4 quarter notes per measure (most common)
- 3/4: 3 quarter notes per measure (waltz time)
- 2/4: 2 quarter notes per measure (march time)
- 6/8: 6 eighth notes per measure (compound time)
Tip: Most Western popular music uses 4/4 time signature with BPM between 100-140.
Practical Applications
Musicians
Set metronome tempo, practice timing, and coordinate with other musicians during recording or live performance.
DJs
Match tempos for seamless mixing, create smooth transitions between songs, and maintain dance floor energy.
Fitness
Choose appropriate workout music tempo, match music to exercise intensity, and maintain consistent pace.