BPM to Delay Time Calculator
Tempo-synced delay is one of the most powerful tools in audio production. Setting your delay plugin's time to a rhythmic subdivision of the song tempo keeps echoes locked to the grid and prevents rhythmic clutter. This calculator converts beats per minute (BPM) to delay time in milliseconds for every common note value: whole, half, quarter, dotted quarter, eighth, dotted eighth, sixteenth, triplet eighth, and thirty-second note. Enter your song's BPM and the table updates instantly. The core formula is: delay (ms) = 60,000 / BPM * note multiplier, where the multiplier is 4 for a whole note, 2 for a half, 1 for a quarter, 0.5 for an eighth, and so on.
BPM to delay formula
Delay (ms) = 60,000 / BPM * note_multiplier
Whole = 4, Half = 2, Quarter = 1, Dotted quarter = 1.5
Eighth = 0.5, Dotted eighth = 0.75, Sixteenth = 0.25
Triplet eighth = 1/3, Thirty-second = 0.125
The quarter-note beat lasts 60,000 / BPM milliseconds. Multiply by the note fraction to get any subdivision. Dotted notes are 1.5 times the undotted value. Triplets divide the parent note into three equal parts (2/3 of the parent value).
Common delay time applications
- Dotted-eighth delay at any tempo creates the classic U2 / The Edge slapback feel.
- Quarter-note delay doubles the beat rhythmically without creating polyrhythm.
- Triplet-eighth delay on a straight-feel track adds swing without changing the tempo.
- Sixteenth or thirty-second delays at high mix levels create tight doubling or pre-delay effects for reverb.
- Long whole-note delays used sparingly create ambient echo trails behind a melody.
BPM to delay: frequently asked questions
What is the formula for BPM to delay time?
Quarter-note delay (ms) = 60,000 / BPM. For other note values multiply by the note fraction: half note = 120,000 / BPM, eighth note = 30,000 / BPM, dotted quarter = 90,000 / BPM, triplet eighth = 20,000 / BPM.
Why set delay time to the tempo?
Tempo-synced delays keep the echoes rhythmically locked to the song grid. Mismatched delays create rhythmic clutter. Setting delay to an eighth note or dotted-eighth at the song BPM is one of the most common mixing techniques.
What is a dotted note delay?
A dotted note is 1.5 times the undotted value. A dotted-quarter at 120 BPM = 60,000/120 * 1.5 = 750 ms. This is popular for creating syncopated rhythmic echoes that sit between the beats.
How do triplet delays work?
A triplet divides the parent note into three equal parts instead of two. An eighth-note triplet at 120 BPM = (60,000/120) / 3 * 2 = 333.33 ms. Triplet delays create a shuffle or swing feel.
Can I use this for reverb pre-delay?
Yes. A common reverb pre-delay is 1/32nd of the beat (about 15-30 ms at typical tempos). The calculator can show 1/32 note values. Pre-delay separates the dry signal from the reverb tail so vocals stay intelligible.
Official sources
- Audio Engineering Society (AES): aes.org - professional audio standards and publications.
- MIDI Association: midi.org - MIDI timing and tempo specifications.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 15 June 2026. See our methodology.