Upload any audio file and our BPM detector will instantly analyze it to find the tempo (beats per minute), musical key, and Camelot code. It also reads embedded metadata like song title and artist. Perfect for DJs preparing sets, producers looking for remix material, and musicians who need to know what key a song is in. All analysis runs locally in your browser – your files are never uploaded to any server.
What is a BPM Detector?
A BPM detector (also called a BPM finder, tempo finder, or beats per minute counter) is a tool that analyzes audio and determines how fast it is – measured in beats per minute (BPM). Our BPM detector goes further by also finding the musical key of the song and providing the Camelot wheel code, making it a complete song analyzer for DJs, producers, and musicians. The analysis runs entirely in your browser using Essentia.js, a research-grade music information retrieval library, so your audio files never leave your device.
How to Find the BPM and Key of a Song
- Upload Your Audio: Select any MP3, FLAC, WAV, AAC, or OGG file. The BPM detector accepts songs, loops, stems, podcasts, and any other audio content
- Automatic Analysis: As soon as your file loads, the BPM detector analyzes the audio to determine the tempo and musical key. This typically takes just a few seconds
- View Results: The detected BPM, musical key (e.g. C Major, A Minor), Camelot code, and song metadata (title, artist) are displayed in a clear results card
- Analyze More: Click ‘Analyze Another Song’ to detect the BPM and key of additional tracks
Understanding BPM and Musical Key
What is BPM? BPM stands for beats per minute – it is the standard measurement of musical tempo. A song at 120 BPM has 120 beats in one minute. Knowing the BPM is essential for DJs (beatmatching and tempo-syncing tracks), producers (setting the correct project tempo for remixes and samples), fitness instructors (matching music to exercise intensity), and musicians (setting metronome speed for practice). Common BPM ranges include: 60–80 BPM for slow ballads, 100–120 BPM for pop and R&B, 120–130 BPM for house music, 130–150 BPM for techno and trance, and 160–180 BPM for drum and bass.
What is Musical Key? The key of a song tells you which group of notes form its tonal foundation. A song in C Major uses mostly notes from the C major scale, and will have a bright, uplifting feel. A song in A Minor uses the A minor scale and will sound darker or more melancholic. Knowing the key is critical for DJs doing harmonic mixing, producers looking to remix or sample a track, and musicians who want to play along or transpose a song to match their vocal range.
What is the Camelot Wheel? The Camelot wheel is a system DJs use for harmonic mixing. It assigns a number–letter code to each of the 24 musical keys (12 major, 12 minor). For example, C Major is 8B and A Minor is 8A. The rule is simple: songs with the same Camelot code, or codes that are adjacent on the wheel (one number up or down, or switching between A and B at the same number), will mix harmonically. This makes planning seamless, musical transitions much easier without needing deep music theory knowledge.
BPM Detector for DJs
Beatmatching and Tempo Sync: The foundation of DJ mixing is aligning the tempos of two tracks. Our BPM finder gives you the exact tempo of each song in your library so you can plan transitions, create cue sheets, and organize playlists by BPM range. Knowing the BPM in advance lets you prepare tempo adjustments before stepping up to the decks.
Harmonic Mixing with Key and Camelot Codes: Mixing songs in compatible keys creates smooth, musical transitions that audiences feel even if they cannot explain why. Our key finder provides both the standard musical key (e.g. F Minor) and the Camelot code (e.g. 4A), so you can quickly identify compatible tracks. Stick to the same Camelot number or move one step up or down for seamless key transitions.
Set Planning and Library Organization: Professional DJs tag every track in their library with BPM and key information. Use our BPM detector to analyze your tracks and build organized playlists sorted by tempo and harmonic compatibility. This preparation is what separates a good set from a great one.
BPM Finder for Producers and Musicians
Remixing and Sampling: Before remixing a song or chopping samples, you need to know the exact BPM and key. Our song analyzer gives you both instantly. Set your DAW project to the detected BPM, import the audio, and everything aligns to the grid. Knowing the key tells you which notes and chords will work harmonically with the original material.
Playing Along and Transcription: Want to jam along with a recording? Use our key finder to determine the song’s key so you know which scale to use. Pair this with our Tempo Changer to slow the song down for practice. Knowing the BPM helps you set your metronome to the exact tempo of the recording.
Workout and Fitness Playlists: BPM is the backbone of workout music selection. Running playlists typically need 150–180 BPM tracks, cycling works well at 120–140 BPM, and yoga or stretching benefits from 60–90 BPM. Use our BPM detector to find the tempo of songs in your library and build playlists that match your target exercise intensity.
BPM Ranges by Genre
Different music genres tend to fall within specific BPM ranges. Knowing these ranges helps you identify genres, build themed playlists, and plan DJ sets:
- 60–80 BPM: Slow ballads, downtempo, ambient, lo-fi hip-hop
- 80–100 BPM: Hip-hop, trap, R&B, reggae
- 100–120 BPM: Pop, indie, funk, disco
- 120–130 BPM: House, deep house, garage, electropop
- 130–145 BPM: Techno, trance, progressive house
- 145–160 BPM: Dubstep (half-time), hardstyle, breakbeat
- 160–180 BPM: Drum and bass, jungle, footwork
- 180+ BPM: Speedcore, gabber, some punk
Frequently Asked Questions About BPM Detection
What is a BPM detector?
A BPM detector analyzes audio and determines its tempo in beats per minute. Our tool also detects the musical key and Camelot code, and reads metadata like song title and artist. It is used by DJs for beatmatching and harmonic mixing, producers for remix work, and musicians for practice and transcription.
How do I find the BPM of a song?
Upload your audio file (MP3, WAV, FLAC, AAC, or OGG) and the BPM detector automatically analyzes it within seconds. The detected tempo is displayed as a BPM value. No manual tapping needed – the algorithm detects the beat pattern directly from the audio.
How do I find what key a song is in?
Our BPM detector includes a built-in key finder. When you upload a song, it detects both the BPM and the musical key (e.g. C Major, F# Minor). It also shows the Camelot wheel code for easy DJ harmonic mixing.
Is this BPM finder free?
Yes, 100% free with no limits. Analyze as many songs as you want. No accounts, no subscriptions, no file size restrictions. All processing runs in your browser – your audio files never leave your device.
How accurate is the BPM detection?
Our BPM detector uses Essentia.js, a research-grade audio analysis library. It delivers highly accurate results for most genres, especially music with clear rhythmic patterns (electronic, pop, rock, hip-hop). Songs with tempo changes, free time sections, or very sparse arrangements may produce less precise estimates. The detected BPM is typically within 1–2 BPM of the actual tempo.
What is the Camelot wheel and why should I care?
The Camelot wheel assigns a simple number-letter code to each musical key, making harmonic mixing easy for DJs. Mix songs with the same Camelot code or adjacent codes (one number up/down, or A/B switch) for smooth, harmonically compatible transitions. Our key finder provides the Camelot code alongside the standard musical key.
What audio formats does the BPM detector support?
MP3, FLAC, WAV, AAC, and OGG. Higher quality files (FLAC, WAV) may produce marginally more accurate results, but MP3 files work great for the vast majority of use cases.
Does this tool read song metadata (title, artist)?
Yes! The BPM detector reads embedded metadata from your audio files and displays the song title and artist when available. This helps you confirm you are analyzing the right track and organize your library.
Can I use this on my phone?
Yes. The BPM detector works on all devices – iPhone, Android, iPad, desktop, and laptop. Open it in your mobile browser and analyze songs right from your phone. No app download needed.
Why does my BPM show as double or half what I expected?
BPM detection algorithms sometimes report the tempo at double or half the perceived value. For example, a 70 BPM hip-hop track might be reported as 140 BPM (double time), or a 140 BPM house track might show as 70 BPM (half time). Both are technically correct – the algorithm is counting a different rhythmic level. When in doubt, consider whether the detected BPM or its half/double value matches the genre’s typical range.
After finding the BPM, can I change the tempo of my song?
Absolutely! Use our Tempo Changer to speed up or slow down your song without changing the pitch, or our Pitch Shifter to change the key without affecting the speed. Both are free and work directly in your browser.