liminfoBPM/Delay Calculator
Free web tool: BPM/Delay Calculator
| Note | Normal (ms) | Dotted (ms) | Triplet (ms) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole | 2000.0 | 3000.0 | 1333.3 |
| Half | 1000.0 | 1500.0 | 666.7 |
| Quarter | 500.0 | 750.0 | 333.3 |
| 8th | 250.0 | 375.0 | 166.7 |
| 16th | 125.0 | 187.5 | 83.3 |
| 32nd | 62.5 | 93.8 | 41.7 |
About BPM/Delay Calculator
The BPM to Milliseconds Calculator is an essential tool for music producers, sound designers, and recording engineers who need to synchronize audio effects — especially delay and reverb — precisely to the tempo of a track. Enter a BPM value and instantly see a complete table showing the duration in milliseconds for six note values (whole, half, quarter, 8th, 16th, and 32nd notes) in three variations each: normal, dotted (1.5x), and triplet (2/3x). This gives you 18 timing values from a single BPM input.
The underlying formula is straightforward: one quarter note equals 60,000 divided by the BPM in milliseconds. All other note values are multiples or fractions of this base unit. A whole note is 4x the quarter note, a half note is 2x, an 8th note is 0.5x, and so on. Dotted notes add half their value (1.5x), while triplets compress three notes into the space of two (2/3x). Setting a delay time to exactly match one of these values creates rhythmic, musicality-enhancing echo effects.
The tool also supports reverse conversion: enter a millisecond value (such as the delay time from a hardware unit or plugin) and the calculator returns the exact BPM that corresponds to a quarter note of that duration. This is useful when you have a delay time you like and want to find the tempo it corresponds to, or when syncing a live performance to a recorded track with a known delay setting.
Key Features
- Complete note table: whole, half, quarter, 8th, 16th, and 32nd notes
- Three variations per note: normal, dotted (1.5x), and triplet (2/3x)
- Bidirectional conversion: BPM to ms and ms to BPM
- Formula: quarter note ms = 60,000 / BPM with all other values derived
- Real-time calculation — table updates instantly as BPM changes
- Horizontal scroll on mobile for the full note table
- 100% client-side processing using React useMemo for performance
- No sign-up, no account, and completely free to use
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert BPM to milliseconds?
The formula for a quarter note is: ms = 60,000 / BPM. For example, at 120 BPM, one quarter note = 60,000 / 120 = 500ms. For other note values, multiply: whole note = 500 × 4 = 2000ms, half note = 500 × 2 = 1000ms, 8th note = 500 × 0.5 = 250ms, 16th note = 500 × 0.25 = 125ms.
Why do I need to know BPM in milliseconds?
Delay and echo effects in music production need to be timed to the song's tempo to sound musical rather than random. Setting your delay plugin's feedback time to match a note value (e.g., 250ms for a dotted 8th at 120 BPM) creates rhythmic echoes that enhance the groove. Most modern plugins have a "sync" button that does this automatically, but this calculator is essential for hardware units and manual settings.
What is a dotted note in music?
A dotted note lasts 1.5 times its normal duration. A dotted quarter note at 120 BPM is 500ms × 1.5 = 750ms. The dotted 8th note delay (often called the "Edge delay" after U2's guitarist) is particularly popular in pop, rock, and country music for creating a rhythmic, cascading echo effect.
What is a triplet note?
A triplet fits three notes into the space normally occupied by two. A quarter note triplet at 120 BPM is 500ms × (2/3) ≈ 333.3ms. Triplet delays create a shuffling, jazz-like feel. They are commonly used in soul, funk, and hip-hop production for syncopated echo effects.
How do I convert milliseconds back to BPM?
Use the "ms to BPM" tab and enter the millisecond value of a quarter note. The formula is: BPM = 60,000 / ms. For example, if a delay unit is set to 400ms, the corresponding BPM is 60,000 / 400 = 150 BPM. This is useful for matching a delay effect to an unknown tempo.
What BPM range is this calculator useful for?
The calculator works for any positive BPM value. Typical music tempos range from about 60 BPM (slow ballads) to 200 BPM (fast electronic music). The formula is mathematically valid for any value, but practical delay times usually fall between 50ms and 2000ms for musical use.
Can I use this for reverb pre-delay settings?
Yes. Reverb pre-delay — the time between the dry signal and the onset of reverb — is often set to a short note value (typically a 16th or 32nd note) to add presence and separation without cluttering the mix. This calculator gives you precise pre-delay values for any note length at your song's tempo.
Is the BPM Calculator free?
Yes, completely free with no usage limits and no account required. It is part of liminfo.com's collection of free online music production tools.