Free music-time tool
BPM to seconds calculator
Convert BPM to beat duration, note duration and measure time, or convert seconds per beat back to BPM.
The short answer
At 120 BPM, one beat lasts 0.5 seconds. With quarter-note BPM, an eighth note lasts 0.25 seconds and one 4/4 measure lasts 2 seconds.
Calculate music time
Choose the tempo and the note it counts, then enter the beats in each measure.
Enter how many beats you want to time.
Result
- Seconds per beat
- 0.5 s
- Selected note duration · Quarter note
- 0.5 s
- Seconds per measure
- 2 s
- Time for entered beats
- 4 s
Times are rounded to three decimal places.
Seconds per beat to BPM
Enter the time for one beat to find the tempo.
Static reference table
Reference times for a quarter-note beat at normal speed.
| BPM | 1 beat (s) | 4 beats (s) |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | 1 | 4 |
| 72 | 0.83 | 3.33 |
| 80 | 0.75 | 3 |
| 90 | 0.67 | 2.67 |
| 100 | 0.6 | 2.4 |
| 110 | 0.55 | 2.18 |
| 120 | 0.5 | 2 |
| 132 | 0.45 | 1.82 |
| 140 | 0.43 | 1.71 |
| 160 | 0.38 | 1.5 |
| 180 | 0.33 | 1.33 |
| 200 | 0.3 | 1.2 |
BPM to seconds formula
Seconds per beat = 60 ÷ BPM. Multiply by the beat count for a measure or any passage. BPM counts the chosen beat unit; changing that unit does not change the seconds per counted beat. To time a different note, multiply by its length relative to the BPM beat unit.
Use this in SheetCue
Import your PDF or score photos to practice with measures on screen. When measures are found, SheetCue starts at 80 BPM and four beats per measure. Set the tempo yourself in “Tempo” or use “Tap to set”. These values control on-screen measure timing; the app does not read notes or detect tempo. Check SheetCue Plus pricing and terms in the app or store.
Choose the right beat unit
At quarter-note = 120, a quarter note is 0.5 s, an eighth is 0.25 s, a dotted quarter is 0.75 s and a half note is 1 s. In 6/8, use two beats per measure for dotted-quarter BPM, or six for eighth-note BPM.
Frequently asked questions
What is 120 BPM in seconds?
120 BPM is 0.5 seconds per beat: 60 ÷ 120. With quarter-note BPM, a four-beat measure lasts 2 seconds.
How do I convert seconds per beat to BPM?
Divide 60 by seconds per beat. A beat lasting 0.5 seconds gives 120 BPM; a beat lasting 0.75 seconds gives 80 BPM.
Does choosing an eighth note change BPM?
The BPM number counts the selected BPM beat unit. At eighth-note = 120, each eighth is 0.5 seconds. At quarter-note = 120, each eighth is 0.25 seconds. Use “Note to time” to compare note durations at the same tempo.
Practice your score with SheetCue
Bring your own PDF or score photos and set the timing for measure-by-measure practice.