BPM Detector
Detect the tempo of any audio file or use tap tempo. Free, browser-based, no upload needed.
Audio File Detection
Drop audio file or click
MP3, WAV, OGG, FLAC, AAC
Tap Tempo
—
Tap at least twice to detect
Or press Space / Enter
About BPM Detector
Beats Per Minute (BPM) is the fundamental unit of musical tempo. Knowing the exact BPM of a track is essential for DJs beatmatching live sets, producers aligning loops in a DAW, music teachers explaining rhythm, and anyone creating content that needs to sync audio to visuals. Our BPM Detector gives you two ways to find the tempo of any piece of music.
The file analysis mode accepts any common audio format and uses autocorrelation analysis on the decoded waveform to extract the underlying pulse. The algorithm identifies repeating rhythmic patterns in the audio's amplitude envelope, making it effective across many genres from electronic music with clear kick drums to acoustic recordings with subtler rhythmic cues. All processing runs locally in your browser via the Web Audio API — no audio is uploaded anywhere.
The tap tempo mode lets you tap along to any music playing in the background — click the big TAP button, or simply press Space or Enter to keep both hands free. A reading appears from the second tap onward and keeps refining as you go, averaging your eight most recent taps so the number settles quickly instead of drifting. This is ideal for quick estimates during rehearsals, teaching situations, or when you just need a rough tempo without uploading a file.
How to Use BPM Detector
- 1To analyze a file: drop an audio file on the "Audio File Detection" panel, or click it to browse.
- 2The detector decodes the audio and analyzes it for rhythmic patterns automatically — there is no button to press.
- 3Review the detected BPM. If it seems halved or doubled, use the "½ speed" and "2× speed" values shown right underneath.
- 4To use tap tempo: work in the "Tap Tempo" panel next to it — both modes are on screen at the same time, no tab switching. Click the big TAP button, or press Space or Enter, in time with the music.
- 5The BPM appears from your second tap and keeps refining. The average uses your last 8 taps, so six to eight gives the steadiest reading.
- 6Click "Reset taps" to start a fresh count — the tap history also clears itself after 5 seconds without a tap.
Use Cases
- →Find the exact BPM of a track before beatmatching in a DJ set or live performance
- →Verify the tempo of a sample or loop before integrating it into a music production
- →Identify tempo for a recording to set the DAW grid correctly before editing
- →Use tap tempo during music lessons to demonstrate and measure rhythmic understanding
- →Confirm whether a track stays at a fixed tempo or uses live tempo variation
- →Find compatible BPM ranges when building playlists for workouts or running
Tips
- ✓The average uses your last 8 taps — the first two or three produce high variance, so keep tapping until the number settles
- ✓Press Space or Enter instead of clicking: it is far easier to stay in time when you are not aiming at a button
- ✓If the detected BPM seems doubled, the actual tempo is the "½ speed" value shown below the result
- ✓Autocorrelation analysis works best on audio with a consistent, audible beat
- ✓For acoustic recordings without clear percussion, tap tempo may produce more reliable results
- ✓DJ tracks commonly range from 120–140 BPM; hip-hop from 80–100; house from 120–130
- ✓Use this alongside the Chord Tools to get both tempo and key before arranging a remix
Frequently Asked Questions
The tool uses autocorrelation analysis on the audio waveform. It looks for periodic patterns in the audio signal and finds the period that best matches a BPM in the 60–180 range. Results are most accurate for music with a consistent, prominent beat.
For music with a clear, consistent beat, expect accuracy within ±1–2 BPM. Accuracy decreases for ambient music, complex time signatures, or tempos outside 60–180 BPM. Use tap tempo as a verification tool.
Tap the button at least twice in time with the music — or press Space or Enter, which taps along without touching the mouse. The average interval between your most recent taps calculates the BPM; the reading uses the last 8 taps, so six to eight taps give the most stable result. Taps older than 5 seconds are automatically discarded.
Any format your browser can decode: MP3, WAV, OGG, FLAC, AAC, M4A. Detection runs entirely in your browser — files are never uploaded.
They show what the detected BPM would be at half and double tempo. If the result sounds wrong, the algorithm may have detected half or double the actual tempo — try the alternative values.
The algorithm covers 60–180 BPM. For music below 60 BPM, the detector may return double the actual tempo. For music above 180 BPM, it may return half the actual tempo.