BPM to milliseconds calculator
Set a tempo from 20 to 300 BPM and get the length of every note value in milliseconds, from whole notes to 32nd notes, straight, dotted and triplet, with the matching rate in hertz.
Use the times to sync delay, reverb pre-delay, compressor release or an LFO to the beat, and work out how long a song of a given number of bars will last.
How to use the BPM calculator
- Type the tempo or drag the slider.
- Read the delay time for the note value you want, for example a dotted 8th for a classic rhythmic echo.
- Use the hertz column to set LFO or tremolo rates in time with the song.
- Enter a number of bars to see how long that many bars of 4/4 last.
The formula
One beat lasts 60,000 ÷ BPM milliseconds, so a quarter note at 120 BPM is 500 ms. Halve it for an 8th note, multiply by 1.5 for a dotted note and by two thirds for a triplet.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert BPM to milliseconds?
Divide 60,000 by the BPM to get one beat (a quarter note) in milliseconds. At 120 BPM that is 500 ms.
What delay time should I use for a dotted 8th?
Three quarters of a beat: 375 ms at 120 BPM. The calculator shows it in the dotted column of the 8th row.
How long is a song of 64 bars?
At 120 BPM in 4/4, 64 bars last 2 minutes 8 seconds. Enter your bars and tempo to work it out.