How it works
Quarter note in milliseconds = 60,000 ÷ BPM. Other note values are multiples (half = ×2) or fractions (eighth = ÷2).
Dotted notes multiply by 1.5; triplets multiply by 2/3.
Frequency = 1,000 ÷ note-ms — useful for LFO sync.
Writing utilities All languages
BPM → Delay & Reverb Time (ms)
Free music production utility. Enter a song BPM and time signature; outputs delay / reverb times in milliseconds and hertz for whole through 1/32 notes, including triplet and dotted variations. Tap-tempo supported.
When to use this
Use any time you're setting a delay or reverb time inside a DAW. Tap-tempo also lets you find the BPM of a song you're sampling.
How it compares
BPM-to-ms charts in pop-up form ads are common but slow. This is one-click, no ads, and includes triplet/dotted variations.
Enter your values below. Calculations run locally as you type.
FAQs
Why do delay times need ms?
DAW delay plugins (Echo, Tape Delay) take time in milliseconds. Setting them to a fraction of the beat keeps the delay rhythmically locked.
What does Hz mean here?
Frequency of the note division. Useful for tempo-locking an LFO on a synth.
How long is a dotted or triplet note delay?
A dotted note is 1.5 times the straight note's time, and a triplet is two-thirds (0.667) of it. So at a quarter-note delay of 500 ms, the dotted eighth is 375 ms and the eighth triplet is about 167 ms.
Which note division should I use for delay?
Dotted eighth delays are popular for rhythmic, U2-style guitar lines because they syncopate against the beat, while quarter and eighth notes give straightforward echoes. Match the division to the groove rather than picking one by default.
Worked example
Input
128 BPM, 4/4.
Output
Quarter: 468.75 ms · 1/8: 234.4 ms · Dotted 1/8: 351.6 ms.
60,000 / 128 = 468.75 ms per quarter beat. Set your delay plugin to 234 ms for a 1/8 sync at this tempo.
Common pitfalls
- Some plugins want the rate as a fraction (1/8) instead of ms — convert before pasting.
- Tempo automation breaks fixed-ms delay sync.
- Triplet and dotted values are useful in 4/4; less so in 6/8.
Related tools
maker
Cosplay Fabric & Material Estimator
Capes, skirts, armor → yards / meters needed.
makerMiniature Paint Mix & Volume Calculator
Scale a custom paint recipe to your army size.
maker3D Print Cost & Profit Estimator
Filament, power, wear → suggested Etsy price.
makerMiniature Scale & Terrain Converter
Real feet → 28mm, 32mm, HO, 1:35 model size.