⏱️ Delay Time Calculator

Convert BPM to Delay Times in Milliseconds

Enter a BPM to see matching delay times for every note division

120
BPM
Note Division Delay Time

BPM to Delay Time Calculator

This delay time calculator converts a song's BPM into exact delay times in milliseconds (ms) for every common note division — including dotted and triplet delays. Instantly get the ms value to type into your DAW's delay plugin so your echoes land perfectly in time with the track.

How to use it

  1. Enter your track's BPM (or drag the slider) — the table updates instantly.
  2. Find the note division that matches the rhythmic feel you want (e.g. dotted 8th for a classic "U2-style" delay).
  3. Type the resulting ms value into your delay plugin's time parameter.

The formula

A quarter note's length in milliseconds is 60000 / BPM. Every other division is a ratio of that value — a dotted note is 1.5x its base division, and a triplet is 2/3 of it. For example, at 120 BPM a quarter note delay is 500 ms, an 8th note delay is 250 ms, and a dotted 8th note delay is 375 ms.

Frequently asked questions

Why calculate delay time from BPM? Tempo-synced delays sit in the pocket of the track instead of clashing rhythmically, which is why producers and mix engineers convert BPM to ms rather than eyeballing a delay time.

What's a dotted delay used for? Dotted 8th delays are a classic technique for adding rhythmic movement to guitars, vocals, and synths without cluttering the main beat.

Does this work for reverb pre-delay too? Yes — the same ms values are commonly used as a starting point for tempo-synced reverb pre-delay settings.