METRONOME

Manual

1. What METRONOME does

   METRONOME clicks out a beat at a tempo (BPM) and time signature you set. No install or account is needed; just open it in your browser.

2. How to use it

   Set the BPM with the slider, the numeric input, or tap tempo. Time signature ranges from 1 to 12 beats over a quarter note, and you can pick a subdivision (quarter, eighth, triplet, sixteenth). The first beat of each measure is accented, and an on-screen dot lights up in time with each beat. Press "Start" to begin, and "Stop" any time.

3. Using tap tempo

   Tap the "Tap" button at least 4 times in a row at roughly the tempo you want, and the BPM is calculated automatically from the intervals. A gap of more than 2 seconds resets the count. It's handy for matching the tempo of a track that doesn't have a BPM marked anywhere.

4. Supported time signatures and subdivisions

   Here's the range you can set for time signature and subdivision.

   Setting	Range
   Time signature	1/4 through 12/4
   Subdivision	Quarter, eighth, triplet, sixteenth
   Accent	The first beat of each measure only

5. How it works: keeping accurate timing

   This metronome uses a 'lookahead scheduler', calculating exactly when each click should play ahead of time before triggering it. That means the actual beat spacing stays accurate even if the tab is backgrounded or the CPU is briefly busy (only the on-screen dot animation might lag slightly). Every click is a synthesized sound (a short sine tone or noise burst) — no audio files are used.

6. Use case: keeping steady tempo during practice

   It works well for steady-tempo practice, or for gradually increasing BPM as a tempo-training exercise. Set the time signature to match the piece, and use the accent to keep track of where each measure starts.

7. Use case: practicing odd or compound time signatures

   For a piece in 5/4 or 7/4, set the time signature to match and the accent marks the start of each measure for you. Switch the subdivision to sixteenth or triplet to work on finer subdivisions.

8. How it works: in-browser processing and privacy

   Every click is synthesized entirely inside your browser — nothing is sent anywhere. No install or account is required.

9. Limits and troubleshooting

   Some browsers block audio playback until you've interacted with the page at least once. If pressing "Start" produces no sound, tap anywhere on the page first and try again.

10. FAQ

    No sound plays.

    Some browsers block audio playback until you interact with the page at least once — try pressing "Start" again after that.

    Tap tempo isn't picking up my rhythm.

    Tap at a steady tempo at least 4 times in a row. A gap of more than 2 seconds resets the count.

    Does it stay accurate if I background the tab?

    Yes. Because it calculates exactly when each click should play ahead of time, the beat spacing stays accurate even in a backgrounded tab — only the on-screen dot animation might lag slightly.

    What time signatures are supported?

    1/4 through 12/4, with a choice of quarter, eighth, triplet, or sixteenth subdivisions.

    Does it work on a phone?

    Yes, in any supported browser (Chrome, Safari, and similar) on mobile.