How do I sync delay to BPM?

Enter your track's BPM into a delay time calculator, choose a note value (e.g. 1/4 for quarter note), and copy the millisecond value into your delay plugin's time parameter. For example, at 120 BPM a quarter note delay is 500 ms. Most DAW delay plugins accept ms values directly — switch from "sync" to "time" or "ms" mode and paste the value.

What is a dotted delay?

A dotted delay lasts 1.5 times the normal note value. A dotted eighth note delay, for example, equals the normal eighth note time multiplied by 1.5. Dotted delays create a rhythmic "ping-pong" feel that sits between two straight subdivisions, producing the classic syncopated delay sound used heavily in genres like dub techno and progressive house.

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Free Delay Time Calculator

Q: What is a delay time calculator?

A delay time calculator converts a musical tempo (BPM) into delay times in milliseconds. This lets you set your delay effect to repeat in sync with the beat of your track, rather than guessing values by ear. It provides times for different note lengths (quarter, eighth, sixteenth, etc.) and variations (normal, dotted, triplet).

Calculate delay times synced to any BPM. Get normal, dotted, and triplet values in milliseconds and Hz for every note subdivision — perfect for dialing in tempo-synced delays, reverb pre-delays, and LFO rates.

Tempo (BPM)

1 beat = 500.0 ms

1 bar = 2000.0 ms

Quick Presets

Note	Normal	Dotted (×1.5)	Triplet (×2/3)
1/1Whole
1/2Half
1/4Quarter
1/8Eighth
1/16Sixteenth
1/32Thirty-second
1/64Sixty-fourth

Click any value to copy it to your clipboard

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What Is a Delay Time Calculator?

A delay time calculator converts a musical tempo (measured in BPM) into delay times in milliseconds. When you set a delay effect to repeat at a musically meaningful interval — say, every quarter note — the echoes land on the beat and the delay feels like part of the groove rather than a random repetition.

The formula is simple: ms = (60,000 ÷ BPM) × note multiplier. A quarter note has a multiplier of 1, an eighth note is 0.5, a sixteenth is 0.25, and so on. Dotted values multiply the result by 1.5, and triplets multiply by 2/3.

Beyond delay effects, these values are useful for setting reverb pre-delay times, LFO rates on synths and effects, sidechain compressor release times, and auto-pan speeds. Any time-based parameter in your DAW can benefit from tempo-synced values.

How to Use This Delay Calculator

Enter your track's BPM using the input field, or click a preset button for common tempos.
Read the delay time table. The 1/4 row (highlighted in violet) is your reference quarter note value.
Find the note value and type (Normal, Dotted, or Triplet) you want for your delay effect.
Click any value to copy it to your clipboard instantly.
Paste the millisecond value into your delay plugin's time parameter (switch from “sync” to “ms” mode if needed).
Toggle to Hz mode to see frequency values — useful for setting LFO rates, auto-pan speeds, and tremolo frequencies.
Use Copy All to grab the entire table as formatted text for your production notes.

Delay Types Explained

Every note value comes in three rhythmic flavours. Understanding when to use each one is key to crafting delays that sit well in a mix:

Normal (Straight)

The standard note duration. At 120 BPM, a quarter note delay is exactly 500 ms. Normal delays land squarely on the beat grid and produce a clean, rhythmic echo. Use them for straightforward rhythmic delays — they reinforce the pulse of the track without adding syncopation.

Dotted (×1.5)

A dotted note lasts 1.5 times the straight value. The most popular choice is a dotted eighth note delay (375 ms at 120 BPM), which creates the iconic syncopated “ping-pong” pattern heard in genres from dub to progressive house. Dotted delays add rhythmic interest because the echo falls between the straight subdivisions, creating a bouncing, off-beat feel.

Triplet (×2/3)

A triplet divides the beat into three equal parts instead of two. A triplet quarter note delay (333.3 ms at 120 BPM) gives a shuffled, swung feel. Triplet delays are essential in genres that emphasize swing and groove — like deep house, hip-hop influenced beats, and broken beat. They can also create interesting polyrhythmic textures when layered over straight rhythms.

Common Delay Settings by Genre

Different electronic genres tend to favour different delay settings. These are starting points — experiment with feedback, filtering, and modulation to shape the character further.

Genre	Typical BPM	Popular Delay	Character
House	118 – 132	1/4, 1/8 normal	Clean, rhythmic echoes on vocals and stabs
Deep House	118 – 125	1/8 dotted, 1/4 normal	Warm, spacious delays with filtered feedback
Tech House	124 – 130	1/16 normal, 1/8 dotted	Tight rhythmic delays on percussion and vocals
Techno	125 – 145	1/16 dotted, 1/8 normal	Hypnotic, repetitive delays driving the groove
Melodic Techno	120 – 130	1/8 dotted, 1/4 normal	Lush, atmospheric ping-pong on pads and leads
Trance	126 – 148	1/8 dotted, 1/4 normal	Classic dotted-eighth bounce on plucks and leads
Drum & Bass	160 – 180	1/8 triplet, 1/16 normal	Shuffled delays adding swing to fast breakbeats
Ambient	50 – 120	1/2 normal, 1/4 dotted	Long, diffused delays with heavy feedback
Hard Techno	140 – 165	1/16 normal, 1/32 normal	Rapid-fire machine-gun delays on kicks and stabs
EDM / Big Room	110 – 160	1/4 normal, 1/8 dotted	Big, dramatic delays on vocal chops and builds

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