How to find the BPM of a song
Play the song and tap on every beat: the kick and snare pattern, or wherever you'd naturally nod your head. After a few taps the BPM settles. The finder averages your last eight taps, and a pause of two seconds starts a new reading.
Steadiness shows how even your taps are. Above 90% is a reliable reading. If it's low, keep tapping until it settles.
Half time or double time?
Many songs can be felt at two speeds. A ballad tapped on every snare hit might read 70 BPM, while tapping on every hi-hat gives 140. Both are right. Use ½ × or 2 × to switch to the one that matches how the song is written or how you want to practise it.
Typical tempos by style
| Style | Usual range |
|---|---|
| Ballads | 60–80 BPM |
| Hip-hop, R&B, neo-soul | 70–100 BPM |
| Pop, funk | 100–130 BPM |
| House | 118–128 BPM |
| Rock | 110–150 BPM |
| Punk, drum & bass | 160–180 BPM |
Once you have the tempo, practise to it with the free online metronome. Start a little slower and work up.