liminfoDelay Time Calculator
Free web tool: Delay Time Calculator
| Note Value | Normal (ms) | Dotted (ms) | Triplet (ms) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/1 (Whole) | 2000.00 | 3000.00 | 1333.33 |
| 1/2 (Half) | 1000.00 | 1500.00 | 666.67 |
| 1/4 (Quarter) | 500.00 | 750.00 | 333.33 |
| 1/8 (Eighth) | 250.00 | 375.00 | 166.67 |
| 1/16 (Sixteenth) | 125.00 | 187.50 | 83.33 |
| 1/32 (Thirty-second) | 62.50 | 93.75 | 41.67 |
Quick Reference
Dotted = Normal × 1.5 | Triplet = Normal × 2/3
About Delay Time Calculator
The Delay Time Calculator is a free online tool for music producers, mixing engineers, guitarists, and synthesizer programmers who need to synchronize their delay effects to the tempo of a track. Enter the BPM (beats per minute) of your song and the calculator instantly outputs the delay time in milliseconds for six note values — whole note (1/1), half note (1/2), quarter note (1/4), eighth note (1/8), sixteenth note (1/16), and thirty-second note (1/32) — each in three rhythmic variations: normal, dotted (1.5×), and triplet (2/3×).
The mathematics is straightforward: a quarter note (one beat) at any tempo equals 60,000 ms / BPM. For example, at 120 BPM a quarter note is 500 ms. A whole note is 4× a quarter (2,000 ms at 120 BPM), a half note is 2× (1,000 ms), an eighth note is 0.5× (250 ms), and so on. Dotted notes add half their value (dotted eighth at 120 BPM = 375 ms), and triplet notes are 2/3 of normal (triplet eighth = 166.67 ms). Tempo-synced delays create rhythmic cohesion — rather than a smearing echo, you hear a musical, groove-locked repetition that enhances rather than clutters the mix.
All 18 values (6 note values × 3 rhythmic types) update in real time as you type the BPM. The table is color-coded — normal times in white, dotted times in blue, triplet times in green — matching the visual language of most DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) delay plugins. This makes it easy to cross-reference values from the calculator directly against your plugin parameters.
Key Features
- Calculates delay times for 6 note values: whole, half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth, thirty-second
- Three columns per note: normal (ms), dotted (×1.5), and triplet (×2/3)
- Core formula: quarter note ms = 60,000 / BPM, all other values derived proportionally
- Color-coded table: normal (white), dotted (blue), triplet (green) for quick visual reference
- Supports BPM range 1–999 for tempos from slowest ambient to fastest drum-and-bass
- Real-time results as you type — no submit button needed
- Quick reference note showing the dotted and triplet multiplier formulas
- 100% client-side processing — no data ever sent to a server
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate delay time from BPM?
The formula for a quarter note (one beat) in milliseconds is: 60,000 / BPM. At 120 BPM, a quarter note = 500 ms. For other note values, multiply by the note's factor relative to a quarter note: whole note (×4), half note (×2), eighth note (×0.5), sixteenth note (×0.25), thirty-second note (×0.125). For dotted notes, multiply by 1.5. For triplet notes, multiply by 2/3.
What is a dotted note delay and when should I use it?
A dotted note is 1.5 times the length of the plain note. A dotted eighth note at 120 BPM = 250 × 1.5 = 375 ms. Dotted eighth delays are extremely popular in pop, country, and rock because they create a syncopated, "slapback plus echo" feel that sits between beats without landing on the downbeat. The Edge from U2 famously uses dotted eighth note delays on almost every guitar part.
What is a triplet note delay?
A triplet divides a beat into three equal parts instead of two. A quarter note triplet at 120 BPM = 500 × (2/3) = 333.33 ms. Triplet delays create a shuffled, swinging feel and are common in blues, gospel, and R&B-influenced music. Using triplet delays creates rhythmic tension against straight-time elements in the mix.
Why sync delays to BPM instead of using a free-running delay?
Tempo-synced delays repeat at exact rhythmic subdivisions of the song's beat, creating cohesion between the dry signal and the echoes. Free-running delays can clash rhythmically, creating a muddy or dissonant echo that fights the groove. Synced delays feel intentional and musical. However, for dub music, psychedelic rock, or deliberate "sloshing" effects, free-running delays offset from the tempo can create interesting rhythmic displacement.
What BPM value should I use for half-time or double-time sections?
If your track switches to a half-time feel (drums playing at half the normal density), you can halve the BPM value in the calculator to get delay times that match the half-time groove. Conversely, for a double-time section, double the BPM. Some producers prefer to keep the BPM constant and use longer note values (e.g., half notes) for half-time sections rather than changing the tempo setting.
Which delay plugin parameters should I match these values to?
Most delay plugins let you set the delay time directly in milliseconds. Enter the value from the Normal column for a standard sync, the Dotted column for a syncopated feel, or the Triplet column for a shuffle feel. In DAWs like Ableton Live, Logic Pro, or Pro Tools, you can also set delay time by note value (e.g., "1/8" or "1/8D" for dotted eighth) when the plugin is sync-locked to the project BPM, which is equivalent to using these calculated values.
Can I use these values for reverb pre-delay?
Yes. Reverb pre-delay (the gap between the dry signal and the onset of reverberation) is often set to a short note value — typically 1/16 or 1/32 of the tempo — to create transient clarity before the reverb blooms. At 120 BPM, a sixteenth note pre-delay = 125 ms. This trick, popularized by mixing engineers like Andrew Scheps and Chris Lord-Alge, helps vocals and snares "pop" through dense reverb tails.
How do I find the BPM of a song I want to match?
Most modern DAWs can detect the BPM of an audio file automatically using beat detection algorithms. You can also tap the tempo manually using a BPM tap tempo tool — tap along to the beat for several bars and the average BPM is calculated. For released music, many streaming services display BPM, or you can look up the track on databases like Song BPM or BPMDatabase.com.