keepthebeat
Tempos
About KeepTheBeat
KeepTheBeat is a free online metronome for precise, steady timing. It runs on the Web Audio API, so the click stays accurate and won't drift or skip, even when you switch tabs or minimize your browser.
How to Use
Set the tempo with the dial, the +/- buttons, or by typing a BPM value. Press Start, or hit Space, to begin. To match a song, tap along with Tap Tempo and the metronome works out the BPM.
Features
Accurate Timing
Most browser metronomes rely on JavaScript timers, which drift over time. KeepTheBeat schedules each click through the Web Audio API instead, so the beat stays sample-accurate even when the tab is in the background.
8 Time Signatures
Practice in any meter. Pick simple signatures like 2/4, 3/4, and 4/4, odd meters like 5/4 and 7/8, or compound grooves like 6/8, 9/8, and 12/8. The compound meters accent their natural strong beats, so the pulse is easy to feel.
Subdivisions
Break each beat down further. Pick quarter notes for the basic pulse, eighth notes for a double-time feel, triplets for swing and shuffle, or sixteenth notes for detailed rhythm work.
Tap Tempo
Not sure what BPM a song is? Tap along with the rhythm and the metronome works it out. It averages your recent taps and drops any outliers, so the reading stays clean and steady.
Multiple Click Sounds
Pick the sound that suits your practice. The digital click is sharp and cutting, the wood block is warm and resonant, and the soft beep sits in the background without pulling focus.
Accented Downbeats
The first beat of each bar plays a higher-pitched click and lights up in a different color, so you can hear and see where the measure begins. In compound meters like 6/8 and 12/8, secondary accents mark the natural beat groupings.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Keep your hands on your instrument. Space starts and stops, the up and down arrows nudge the tempo, and T taps the beat.
Dark & Light Mode
Switch between dark and light themes to fit your room. The interface stays easy to read in a dim practice space or a bright studio, and KeepTheBeat remembers your choice.
Tempo Markings & BPM Chart
Italian tempo markings describe how fast a piece should go. Find the marking in the chart below, then set its BPM on the metronome above.
| Tempo Marking | BPM Range | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Grave | 20–39 | Very slow, solemn |
| Largo | 40–59 | Broadly, very slow |
| Larghetto | 60–65 | Rather broadly |
| Adagio | 66–75 | Slow and expressive |
| Andante | 76–95 | Walking pace |
| Andantino | 96–107 | Slightly faster than Andante |
| Moderato | 108–115 | Moderate speed |
| Allegretto | 116–120 | Moderately fast |
| Allegro | 121–155 | Fast and lively |
| Vivace | 156–175 | Lively and brisk |
| Presto | 176–199 | Very fast |
| Prestissimo | 200–300 | As fast as possible |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a metronome?
A metronome is a tool that produces a steady click or beat at a set tempo, measured in beats per minute (BPM). Musicians use it to keep consistent timing while practicing or performing.
What BPM should I set my metronome to?
It depends on the piece. Most sheet music prints a tempo marking at the top of the score, either an Italian term like Allegro or Andante or a specific BPM number. If you only have the term, match it to a BPM range in the chart above.
Does this metronome work on mobile?
Yes. KeepTheBeat works on any device with a modern web browser: phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops. No app to download.
Will the metronome keep playing if I switch tabs?
Yes. KeepTheBeat runs on the Web Audio API, which keeps accurate time in the background even when you switch tabs or minimize the window.
What time signatures are available?
You can choose from 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 6/8, 7/8, 9/8, and 12/8. Compound meters like 6/8 and 12/8 accent the natural strong beats within each bar.
What does the Tap Tempo button do?
Tap the button (or press the T key) in rhythm with a song, and the metronome will calculate the tempo from your taps. It's a quick way to find the BPM of any piece of music.