Tap Tempo
Tap along to the beat of anything playing, a streaming app, the radio, a band in the room, and read the BPM as you go. Tap the button or press any key.
Tip: press the spacebar or any letter key. Stop for two seconds to start a fresh count.
How to find the BPM by tapping
- Play the song and find the pulse you would nod your head to.
- Tap the button, or press the spacebar or any letter key, in time with that beat.
- Keep tapping for 15 to 30 seconds. The BPM updates live and settles as you go.
- If the number feels half or double what you hear, press Half or Double. Stop for two seconds to start fresh.
How tap tempo works
BPM means beats per minute, so the tempo is just the time between beats turned into a rate. Each time you tap, the page notes the time. After two taps it gives a first estimate, and with every tap after that it averages the gaps between your recent taps, so small wobbles in your timing even out.
That averaging is why patience pays. A handful of taps gives a rough number that can jump around. Keep going for 15 to 30 seconds and the reading settles into a steady value. The page averages your most recent 20 beats, so it can also follow a live song that drifts a little.
Tap quarter notes, and watch for half-time
Tap the beat you would clap along to, usually the quarter note, not every hi-hat. Most songs make that obvious, but some grooves can honestly be counted two ways. A trap beat at 140 BPM often feels like 70, and drum and bass at 174 can be counted as 87. Neither reading is wrong.
If the number does not match how the song feels, or what your DJ software expects, press Double or Half. Genre is a good guide: house usually sits between 120 and 130 BPM, and drum and bass between 170 and 175.
Tap it or analyze the file?
Tapping works on anything you can hear: a song on a streaming service, the radio, a live band, a groove stuck in your head. Nothing is recorded or uploaded; the page only measures the time between your taps.
When you have the audio file, the Key & BPM Finder is quicker and also tells you the musical key and Camelot code. The two work well together: analyze the file, then tap for a few seconds to confirm you did not get a half-time reading.
What to do with the number
Producers set a project tempo from it before sampling or remixing, so loops and chops line up with the grid. DJs match tempos between tracks, and pairing the BPM with the key on the Camelot Wheel is the basis of a smooth mix. Musicians use it to set a metronome for practice, or to slow a part down with Slow Down Audio before bringing it back up to speed.
Tap tempo: common questions
How does tap tempo calculate BPM?
It measures the time between your taps and averages the recent gaps. Sixty thousand divided by the average gap in milliseconds is the beats per minute.
How long should I tap for?
At least 15 seconds, ideally 30. The longer you tap, the more your timing wobbles average out and the steadier the number gets.
Can I use the keyboard?
Yes. Press the spacebar or any letter key in time with the beat. It works the same as clicking the Tap button.
Why is my BPM half or double what I expected?
Many grooves can be counted at two tempos, such as 70 or 140. Press Half or Double to switch to the reading that matches how the song feels.
How do I start over?
Press Reset, or stop tapping for more than two seconds. The next tap starts a fresh count.
Does it record or upload any audio?
No. The page never listens to or records anything. It only measures the time between taps, in your browser.
Can it find the BPM of a file automatically?
This page cannot, but the Key & BPM Finder can. Drop the file in and it reports the BPM along with the key and Camelot code.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes. Tap the big button with your thumb. Touch works just as well as a mouse or keyboard.
Who makes this?
We're the small team behind Xport Studio, a private, fully offline app for AI vocals, stems, and mastering. These free tools run on the same idea: your audio stays on your device. If you're curious about the bigger thing, take a look.