What is the easiest way to find a song's BPM?

Tap along to the beat with a tap tempo tool. Play the track, tap a button or the spacebar on each beat, and after four or more taps the tool reports the average tempo. It is the fastest method and needs no math.

Why does my BPM reading come out doubled or halved?

You tapped a different subdivision than the main pulse. A doubled reading (240 instead of 120) means you tapped eighth notes — halve it. A halved reading means you tapped every other beat — double it. Tap the steady pulse you would nod to.

How many taps do I need for an accurate BPM?

Four taps give a usable reading; tapping for one or two full bars tightens it. The more evenly spaced your taps, the higher the confidence and the more stable the number.

Can I find the BPM without tapping?

Yes. Count a fixed number of beats over a measured time and divide beats by minutes, or read the tempo from your DAW transport bar. Counting is the most exact when you need to be sure of the whole number.

How to Find the BPM of a Song (3 Ways)

ArtyphonicJune 13, 20264 min read

The quickest way to find the BPM of a song is to tap along to the beat with a tap tempo tool — it averages the time between your taps and shows the tempo. If you need an exact figure, count a known number of beats over a measured span of time and divide, or read the tempo straight off your DAW.

Method 1: Tap along to the beat (fastest)

Tap tempo is the everyday method. Play the track, then tap a button or your spacebar on each beat — usually the quarter-note pulse you would nod your head to. After four or more taps the reading settles. Keep tapping for a bar or two and the average tightens up; stop and the tool holds the last reading.

Tap on the steady pulse, not on every drum hit. On most tracks that pulse is the kick or the backbeat. If the number comes back doubled (say 240 instead of 120) you tapped eighth notes; halve it. If it comes back half, you tapped every other beat; double it.

Free toolBPM TapperFind BPM by tapping along to a song. Use spacebar, mouse, or touch to calculate tempo instantly with a rolling average and no sign-in.

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The Artyphonic mascot's taps averaging into a single steady BPM dial — Four or more even taps settle the reading — the steadier the taps, the higher the confidence.

Method 2: Count beats over time (most exact)

When you need precision — matching a sample, confirming a tempo before you commit a session to it — count instead of tap. Count a fixed number of beats over a measured number of seconds, then . Thirty-two beats over sixteen seconds is 32 ÷ (16/60) = 120 BPM.

Genre	Typical BPM
Hip-hop	80–110
Pop	100–120
House	120–130
Techno	125–145
Drum and bass	170–180

How to Find the BPM of a Song (3 Ways)

Method 1: Tap along to the beat (fastest)

Method 2: Count beats over time (most exact)

Method 3: Read it from your DAW

Why BPM matters

Beats counted	Over (seconds)	BPM
16	8	120
16	10	96
32	16	120
32	12	160