Music Duration Calculator
Calculate the duration of musical passages based on tempo (BPM), number of bars, and time signature.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the song\'s BPM (beats per minute).
- Enter the number of bars you want to calculate the duration for.
- Select the time signature (4/4, 3/4, 6/8, etc.).
- The calculator displays the duration in hours, minutes, seconds, and milliseconds.
Music Duration Formula
Duration is calculated from BPM, number of bars, and time signature:
Example: 16 bars of 4/4 time at 120 BPM: Duration = (16 × 4) ÷ 120 × 60 = 32 seconds. 8 bars of 3/4 time at 90 BPM: Duration = (8 × 3) ÷ 90 × 60 = 16 seconds.
Full Description
Calculating music duration is essential for music production, composition, and performance planning. Duration depends on three factors: tempo (BPM), number of bars, and time signature. Understanding how these factors interact helps you plan musical sections, estimate recording times, and synchronize with other media.
Tempo (BPM) determines how fast the music plays—higher BPM means shorter duration for the same number of bars. Time signature determines how many beats are in each bar—4/4 has 4 beats, 3/4 has 3 beats, 6/8 has 6 beats. The number of bars is simply how many measures you\'re calculating. Together, these determine the total duration.
This calculator helps you determine the exact duration of musical passages. Enter the BPM, number of bars, and time signature, and it calculates the duration. Use it when planning recordings, creating click tracks, synchronizing music to video, or understanding how tempo and time signature affect musical length.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate music duration?
Duration = (Number of Bars × Beats Per Bar) ÷ BPM × 60. For example, 16 bars of 4/4 time at 120 BPM: (16 × 4) ÷ 120 × 60 = 32 seconds. The calculator does this automatically.
How does time signature affect duration?
Time signature determines how many beats are in each bar. 4/4 has 4 beats per bar, 3/4 has 3 beats, 6/8 has 6 beats (grouped as 2 groups of 3). More beats per bar means longer duration for the same number of bars.
Can I calculate duration for partial bars?
Yes! Enter decimal values for bars (e.g., 16.5 bars). The calculator will calculate the exact duration including partial bars. This is useful for calculating specific musical phrases or sections.
How do I use this for different time signatures?
Select the time signature from the dropdown. Common time signatures include 4/4 (common time), 3/4 (waltz), 6/8 (compound time), and 12/8. The calculator accounts for the beats per bar in each time signature.