BPM to Milliseconds: Formula and Reference Table

Milliseconds per quarter-note beat equals 60,000 divided by BPM. At 120 BPM, 60,000 divided by 120 equals 500 ms. This assumes the beat unit is a quarter note, as in most DAW tempo displays.

The BPM-to-ms formula

Milliseconds per quarter-note beat equals 60,000 divided by BPM. At 120 BPM, 60,000 divided by 120 equals 500 ms. This assumes the beat unit is a quarter note, as in most DAW tempo displays.

BPM reference table

Other note values and dotted timing

Halve a quarter-note duration for eighth notes and halve it again for sixteenths. Multiply by 1.5 for a dotted value. For a quarter-note triplet multiply by two thirds; state the note value so the number is meaningful.

Using the result in delay and editing

A calculated delay time provides a rhythmic starting point, but pre-delay, swing and human timing may sound better slightly away from the grid. Keep extra decimal precision for sample calculations and round only for controls that accept whole milliseconds.

Delay feedback and tempo changes

A quarter-note delay repeats once per beat; shorter note values create denser echoes. Feedback controls how many repeats continue and is separate from timing. Stereo delays may use different values on each side, calculated from the same tempo.

If tempo changes, one millisecond setting will not stay synchronized throughout. Automate the setting or calculate each section. Use the precision the destination accepts rather than displaying meaningless decimals.