BPM to Milliseconds Calculator
Calculate straight, dotted, and triplet note lengths for tempo-synced delays, reverbs, compressors, gates, and modulation effects.
Enter your project tempo
Quarter note (ms) = 60,000 ÷ BPMEvery note value at 120 BPM
Use straight timing for standard rhythmic repeats, dotted timing for a wider syncopated feel, and triplets for three evenly spaced repeats across two straight-note divisions.
| Note value | Straight | Dotted | Triplet | Hz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/1 · Whole note | 2,000 ms | 3,000 ms | 1,333.3 ms | 0.5 Hz |
| 1/2 · Half note | 1,000 ms | 1,500 ms | 666.7 ms | 1 Hz |
| 1/4 · Quarter note | 500 ms | 750 ms | 333.3 ms | 2 Hz |
| 1/8 · Eighth note | 250 ms | 375 ms | 166.7 ms | 4 Hz |
| 1/16 · Sixteenth note | 125 ms | 187.5 ms | 83.3 ms | 8 Hz |
| 1/32 · Thirty-second note | 62.5 ms | 93.8 ms | 41.7 ms | 16 Hz |
| 1/64 · Sixty-fourth note | 31.3 ms | 46.9 ms | 20.8 ms | 32 Hz |
Where producers use BPM to ms
Delay time: Enter a note value in milliseconds when a delay plugin has no tempo-sync mode. Eighth notes and dotted eighth notes are common starting points.
Reverb pre-delay: A short subdivision can keep the dry attack clear while letting the reverb arrive in time with the groove.
Compression and gating: Tempo-aware attack, release, hold, or lookahead settings can make pumping and rhythmic gating feel intentional.
LFO and modulation: The Hz column converts every note division into cycles per second for plugins that expose frequency rather than note values.
Frequently asked questions
How many milliseconds is 120 BPM?+
At 120 BPM, one quarter-note beat is 500 ms. An eighth note is 250 ms, a sixteenth note is 125 ms, and a dotted eighth note is 375 ms.
What is the BPM to milliseconds formula?+
Divide 60,000 by the BPM to get the duration of one quarter note in milliseconds. Multiply that result by the note-length factor for whole, half, eighth, or smaller notes.
How are dotted and triplet timings calculated?+
A dotted note is 1.5 times the straight note length. A triplet note is two-thirds of the straight note length because three triplet notes fit into the space of two straight notes.
Should every effect be perfectly tempo synced?+
Not always. The calculated value is a precise starting point. Small offsets can add groove, width, or a more natural feel, so use your ears after finding the synced timing.