BPM to Delay Time Calculator

Convert a track's tempo into exact delay and echo times in milliseconds — for setting delay/reverb plugins to match the beat.

How to use the BPM to Delay Time Calculator

  1. Enter your valuesType the song’s tempo in BPM (or tap a preset like 120 or 128).
  2. Read the results instantlyDelay times appear for every note value — straight, dotted and triplet — in milliseconds, with the matching LFO rate in hertz.
  3. Copy or sharePress the copy icon on any result card, or use Copy link to these values — the page URL stores your inputs so you can bookmark or send the exact calculation.

About the BPM to Delay Time Calculator

The BPM to Delay Time Calculator converts a tempo into the millisecond delay times that keep echoes, reverb pre-delay and LFOs in time with the music. Every note value from whole to 1/64 note is shown in straight, dotted and triplet form, with the frequency in Hz for synced modulation.

Setting delays to musical values rather than arbitrary milliseconds is the difference between echoes that groove and echoes that muddy the mix.

How the BPM to Delay Time Calculator works

A quarter note lasts 60,000 ÷ BPM milliseconds. Other values scale from it: whole = ×4, half = ×2, eighth = ×0.5, sixteenth = ×0.25; a dotted note is 1.5× longer; a triplet is 2/3 as long. The matching LFO frequency is 1000 ÷ the time in ms.

quarter note (ms) = 60,000 ÷ BPM · dotted = × 1.5 · triplet = × 2⁄3

What people use it for

Delay plug-ins

Set delay time without a sync option.

Reverb pre-delay

Use 1/64–1/16 notes.

Compressor release

Tune release to the groove.

LFO & tremolo

Sync modulation speed.

Tips for the best results

  • A dotted-eighth delay is the classic rhythmic echo (e.g. “U2” guitar).
  • Shorter reverb pre-delays keep sounds natural; longer ones add separation.
  • Cut the delay’s high end so echoes sit behind the dry sound.

Common problems & fixes

The delay sounds offCheck the project tempo; use 1/4-note values to hear the pulse.
Mix is muddyLower feedback or high-pass the echo.

Quick facts

Note values1/1 to 1/64
TypesStraight, dotted, triplet
ExtrasLFO frequency in Hz

Frequently asked questions

What is the delay time for 120 BPM quarter notes?

500 ms.

What is a dotted eighth at 120 BPM?

375 ms.

Why do producers need this?

Delay and reverb plugins take a time in milliseconds, but musicians think in note values — this bridges the two so a delay lands perfectly in time with the track.

Your audio never leaves your device

This tool runs entirely in your browser using the Web Audio API. Nothing is uploaded, stored or shared — there is no server to send your file to, so it works offline once the page has loaded.

← Browse all free audio tools

User Reviews

–
No ratings yet
Write a review
Your rating *

Your email is never published. Reviews are moderated, and links aren't allowed.

What users are saying

No reviews yet

Be the first to share your experience with this tool — your feedback helps others.