Free Online Metronome
Build rock-solid timing with adjustable tempo, time signatures, and visual beat indicators. Works in your browser on any device. No download required.
What is a metronome?
A metronome produces a steady click at a set tempo (measured in BPM, or beats per minute). It's the most effective tool for developing consistent timing. Whether you're practicing scales, learning a new song, or tightening up your rhythm playing, the metronome keeps you honest by showing exactly where you're rushing or dragging.
Controls
How to practice with a metronome
Start slower than you think
Find a tempo where you can play the passage perfectly. If you make mistakes, you're practicing mistakes. Slow down until it's clean, then build up.
Feel the subdivisions
Don't wait for the click. Feel the space between beats in your body. Count "1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and" to develop an internal pulse.
Tap before you play
Let the metronome run for 4-8 bars before you start playing. Tap your foot or nod your head to lock into the tempo before your hands move.
Use accents to find the "1"
The accented downbeat helps you stay oriented, especially in longer passages. If you lose your place, listen for the accent to find beat 1 again.
Increase tempo gradually
Once you can play cleanly at a tempo, bump it up by 5-10 BPM. Repeat until you reach your target speed. Jumping too fast builds bad habits.
Practice with different time signatures
Most pop and rock is in 4/4, but try 3/4 (waltzes) or 6/8 (ballads). Feeling different meters expands your rhythmic vocabulary.
Common tempo ranges
60-80 BPM
Slow ballads, practice tempo for difficult passages, meditation music
80-120 BPM
Pop, rock, country, most singer-songwriter material, moderate practice
120-160 BPM
Upbeat rock, punk, fast country, dance music, energetic pop
160-200+ BPM
Speed metal, thrash, hardcore punk, virtuoso practice
Frequently asked questions
Why practice with a metronome?
Timing is the foundation of good musicianship. Playing with others, recording, and performing all require consistent tempo. A metronome exposes timing issues you can't hear on your own and builds the muscle memory for steady rhythm.
What tempo should I practice at?
Start at a tempo where you can play the passage with zero mistakes. If that's 40 BPM, start there. Speed comes from accuracy. Slow, perfect repetitions build better habits than fast, sloppy ones.
What's a time signature?
The time signature tells you how many beats per measure (top number) and which note gets one beat (bottom number). 4/4 means 4 quarter-note beats per bar. 3/4 means 3. 6/8 is counted in groups of 3 eighth notes.
Can I use this metronome offline?
If you install TuneMode as a PWA (Add to Home Screen on mobile), the metronome works offline. The audio engine runs locally in your browser, so no internet is needed once the page loads.