The formula
Hz = BPM ÷ 60 for one beat. For a note value, divide by its length in beats: an eighth note is half a beat, so its rate is twice the beat rate.
Rates at common tempos
| BPM | 1/1 | 1/2 | 1/4 | 1/8 | 1/16 | 1/8 triplet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 0.250 | 0.500 | 1.000 | 2.000 | 4.000 | 3.000 |
| 70 | 0.292 | 0.583 | 1.167 | 2.333 | 4.667 | 3.500 |
| 80 | 0.333 | 0.667 | 1.333 | 2.667 | 5.333 | 4.000 |
| 90 | 0.375 | 0.750 | 1.500 | 3.000 | 6.000 | 4.500 |
| 100 | 0.417 | 0.833 | 1.667 | 3.333 | 6.667 | 5.000 |
| 110 | 0.458 | 0.917 | 1.833 | 3.667 | 7.333 | 5.500 |
| 120 | 0.500 | 1.000 | 2.000 | 4.000 | 8.000 | 6.000 |
| 128 | 0.533 | 1.067 | 2.133 | 4.267 | 8.533 | 6.400 |
| 130 | 0.542 | 1.083 | 2.167 | 4.333 | 8.667 | 6.500 |
| 140 | 0.583 | 1.167 | 2.333 | 4.667 | 9.333 | 7.000 |
| 150 | 0.625 | 1.250 | 2.500 | 5.000 | 10.000 | 7.500 |
| 160 | 0.667 | 1.333 | 2.667 | 5.333 | 10.667 | 8.000 |
| 170 | 0.708 | 1.417 | 2.833 | 5.667 | 11.333 | 8.500 |
| 174 | 0.725 | 1.450 | 2.900 | 5.800 | 11.600 | 8.700 |
All values in hertz; 1/4 is the beat itself, so at 120 BPM it is 2.000 Hz. Delay times in milliseconds are on BPM to ms; audible frequencies are in the tone generator.
Frequently asked questions
How do you convert BPM to Hz?
Divide by 60: beats per minute ÷ 60 = beats per second, which is hertz. 120 BPM is 2 Hz. For a note value, divide again by its length in beats — an eighth note at 120 BPM is 4 Hz, a whole note 0.5 Hz.
How do I sync an LFO to the tempo by hand?
Choose the note value you want one LFO cycle to last, read its rate from the table, and type it into the LFO’s rate. A tremolo pulsing in eighth notes at 120 BPM is 4 Hz; a slow filter sweep over one bar of 4/4 is 0.5 Hz.
Is a 2 Hz beat the same as a 2 Hz tone?
It is the same number, but far below hearing: anything under about 20 Hz is felt as a rhythm, not heard as a pitch. Double 120 BPM six times and you reach 128 Hz, an audible note — a curiosity, not a tuning rule.