Metronome Calculator
Beat Duration
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Measure Duration
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Total Time
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Subdivisions
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Time Signatures and Beat Subdivisions
A time signature shows beats per measure and the note value per beat. In 4/4: 4 quarter-note beats per measure. In 6/8: 6 eighth-notes felt as 2 groups of 3.
At 120 BPM: quarter note = 500 ms, eighth = 250 ms, sixteenth = 125 ms, triplet eighth = 166.7 ms.
Total time = measures x beats per measure / BPM x 60. At 120 BPM in 4/4, each bar is 2 seconds, and an 8-bar phrase lasts 16 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most common time signature?
4/4 (common time) dominates pop, rock, hip-hop, and electronic music. 3/4 (waltz) is second most common.
How do compound signatures work?
6/8, 9/8, 12/8 group beats in threes. In 6/8, six eighth notes form 2 groups of 3, giving a swinging feel.
What are odd time signatures?
5/4, 7/8, 11/8 create asymmetric rhythms. Famous: Take Five (5/4), Money by Pink Floyd (7/4).
How to calculate section length?
Bars x beats per bar / BPM x 60 = seconds. 16 bars of 4/4 at 120 BPM = 32 seconds.