BPM to MS Calculator - Convert Tempo to Milliseconds & Hz
Convert BPM to milliseconds and Hz with note division tables, plus compressor attack/release and delay time tips for any DAW.
Calculator
BPM:
- ms for 1 bar =
- ms for 1/2 note =
- ms for 1/4 note =
- ms for 1/8 note =
- ms for 1/16 note =
- ms for 1/32 note =
Triplet Calculator
- ms for 1/4T note =
- ms for 1/8T note =
- ms for 1/16T note =
Last updated 2026-05-13 - added note division tables, a compressor attack/release section, a delay time section, and an FAQ.
What this calculator does #
This is a free online BPM to MS calculator (also called a tempo to milliseconds converter). Type your project tempo and it returns the length of a whole bar, half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth and thirty-second note, plus triplet variants, in both milliseconds (ms) and hertz (Hz). Use it for:
- delay times that lock to the grid
- compressor attack and release timings
- LFO and modulator rates expressed as Hz
- sample offsets, grain sizes, and reverb pre-delays
- note length and gate length values inside any DAW (Bitwig, Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic, Pro Tools, Cubase, Reaper)
The formula #
Milliseconds per beat (quarter note) at a given BPM:
ms = 60000 / BPM
Hertz from a millisecond value:
Hz = 1000 / ms
From there every other note division is a simple multiplication:
| Note value | Multiplier (vs 1/4 note) |
|---|---|
| 1 bar (4/4) | x 4 |
| 1/2 note | x 2 |
| 1/4 note | x 1 |
| 1/8 note | / 2 |
| 1/16 note | / 4 |
| 1/32 note | / 8 |
| Dotted note | x 1.5 |
| Triplet note | / 1.5 |
Common BPM reference table #
Quarter note (1/4) in milliseconds for the BPMs you actually use:
| BPM | 1/4 (ms) | 1/8 (ms) | 1/16 (ms) | 1/4 triplet (ms) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 1000 | 500 | 250 | 666.67 |
| 70 | 857.14 | 428.57 | 214.29 | 571.43 |
| 80 | 750 | 375 | 187.5 | 500 |
| 90 | 666.67 | 333.33 | 166.67 | 444.44 |
| 100 | 600 | 300 | 150 | 400 |
| 110 | 545.45 | 272.73 | 136.36 | 363.64 |
| 120 | 500 | 250 | 125 | 333.33 |
| 128 | 468.75 | 234.38 | 117.19 | 312.5 |
| 140 | 428.57 | 214.29 | 107.14 | 285.71 |
| 150 | 400 | 200 | 100 | 266.67 |
| 160 | 375 | 187.5 | 93.75 | 250 |
| 170 | 352.94 | 176.47 | 88.24 | 235.29 |
| 174 | 344.83 | 172.41 | 86.21 | 229.89 |
| 175 | 342.86 | 171.43 | 85.71 | 228.57 |
| 180 | 333.33 | 166.67 | 83.33 | 222.22 |
For any value not in this table just type the BPM into the calculator above.
Compressor attack and release from BPM #
The calculator above doubles as a compressor attack/release calculator. A solid rule of thumb on rhythmic material:
- Attack: pick a value short enough to catch the transient you want to tame but long enough to let the initial click through. Often a 1/32 or 1/64 note at the project tempo is a good starting point.
- Release: align the release time to a note division of the groove (commonly 1/8 or 1/16) so the gain reduction "breathes" with the track. This avoids pumping that fights the rhythm.
At 120 BPM that gives roughly:
| Parameter | Note division | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Attack | 1/64 | ~31 ms |
| Attack | 1/32 | ~62.5 ms |
| Release | 1/16 | 125 ms |
| Release | 1/8 | 250 ms |
| Release | 1/4 | 500 ms |
Use these as starting points and trust your ears in context.
Delay time and LFO rate #
For tempo-synced delays without a tempo-sync switch, set the delay time to the millisecond value the calculator shows for the target note (1/4, 1/8 dotted, 1/16, etc.).
For LFOs that take frequency in Hz instead of note divisions, use the Hz column. Example: a 1/4 LFO at 120 BPM = 500 ms = 2 Hz.
If you also need allpass or reverb pre-delay timings, see the all-pass delay and reverb calculator.
FAQ #
How do I convert BPM to milliseconds? #
Divide 60000 by the BPM. That gives the length of one quarter note in milliseconds. Multiply or divide the result for other note values (x2 for half, /2 for eighth, etc.).
What is 120 BPM in milliseconds? #
At 120 BPM one quarter note is 500 ms, one eighth note is 250 ms, one sixteenth note is 125 ms, and a full 4/4 bar is 2000 ms.
How do I calculate dotted or triplet note times? #
Multiply the note length by 1.5 for dotted, divide by 1.5 for triplets. The calculator above shows 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16 triplets directly.
How do I set compressor attack and release from BPM? #
Use a short subdivision (1/32 or 1/64) as a starting attack and a musical subdivision (1/16, 1/8 or 1/4) for release so the compressor breathes with the groove. See the table above.
How do I convert BPM to Hz? #
First convert BPM to milliseconds (ms = 60000 / BPM), then convert milliseconds to hertz (Hz = 1000 / ms). The calculator shows both columns automatically.
Does this work for any DAW? #
Yes. The math is universal, so the values apply to Bitwig Studio, Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Cubase, Reaper, and any other DAW or plugin that expects milliseconds or hertz.
