What This Calculator Does

This calculator converts tempo (BPM) into note durations in milliseconds, which is essential for syncing time-based audio effects like delay, LFOs, and automation to the tempo of your music.

You can also optionally display frequency in Hz, showing how often each note value would occur per second.

How to Use It (Step-by-Step)

1. Enter BPM: Type the tempo of your song (e.g., 120 BPM).
2. Click “Calculate”: Instantly see the timing (in ms) for each note division:
   • Whole, half, quarter, eighth, etc.
   • Regular, dotted, and triplet values.
3. Toggle “Show Hz” (optional): Displays how often each note value repeats per second.
4. Click “Reset” to clear your input and start again.
5. Press Enter to Calculate or Escape to Reset from your keyboard.

How It Works

The core formula used is:

Milliseconds = (Note Length in Quarter Notes × 240,000) ÷ BPM

• 240,000 is derived from 60,000 ms per minute × 4 quarter notes per whole note.
• Dotted notes multiply the result by 1.5.
• Triplets multiply the result by ⅔.
• Hz is calculated using:
  Hertz (Hz) = 1000 ÷ Milliseconds

Why You’d Use This

This tool is used by:

• Music producers setting delay times on plugins or pedals.
• Live engineers syncing effects to the band’s tempo.
• Synth programmers designing LFO rates.
• Educators and students learning timing relationships.

I hope you found this helpful!