๐๏ธ Delay Time Calculator
Shows the tempo-synced delay time for each note value.
| Note value | Straight | Dotted | Triplet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole note | 2,000 ms | 3,000 ms | 1,333.3 ms |
| Half note | 1,000 ms | 1,500 ms | 666.7 ms |
| Quarter note | 500 ms | 750 ms | 333.3 ms |
| Eighth note | 250 ms | 375 ms | 166.7 ms |
| Sixteenth note | 125 ms | 187.5 ms | 83.3 ms |
Enter a song's BPM (tempo) to get a table of tempo-synced delay effect times (in milliseconds) for each note value โ whole, half, quarter, eighth, and sixteenth notes โ including dotted and triplet variants.
How to use
- Enter the song's BPM (tempo).
- The delay time (ms) for each note value is shown automatically.
How the calculation works
From a songโs tempo (BPM), this tool lists the delay times that line an echo effect up with the rhythm, for each note length. Quarter note = 60000 รท BPM (milliseconds) Dotted note = the note ร 1.5 Triplet = the note ร 2/3 It shows 15 values, from whole notes to sixteenth notes in straight, dotted and triplet form. Beyond delay, the values help set reverb pre-delay or compressor release in time with the tempo.
Worked example
At 120 BPM Quarter note: 500 ms Eighth note: 250 ms Dotted eighth: 375 ms (a rhythmic delay popular with guitarists) Eighth-note triplet: about 166.7 ms Sixteenth note: 125 ms Quarter note at 90 BPM: 60000 รท 90 โ 666.7 ms
Things to be aware of
- Most DAWs and many effects can sync to tempo automatically. The table helps when setting times by hand.
- A dotted-eighth delay interleaves the repeats with the played notes, so it sounds like a busy sixteenth-note rhythm.
- Setting a time slightly off the grid can create a deliberate push or drag in the groove.
FAQ
What's the formula?
The quarter-note delay time (ms) = 60000 รท BPM. Other note values multiply this by a ratio (whole ร4, half ร2, eighth ร0.5, sixteenth ร0.25). Dotted notes multiply by 1.5, and triplets multiply by 2/3.
What does "dotted eighth delay" mean?
It's a delay time 1.5 times the length of an eighth note โ a classic rhythmic delay setting made famous by songs like U2's tracks.
What is this tool used for?
It's handy in a DAW when you want to sync a delay effect's time parameter to a song's tempo and need the exact millisecond value.