Simple triple meter · 3 beats per measure
3/4 Metronome Online
Practice a clear ONE – two – three pulse with Tap Tempo, subdivisions, custom accents, gap training, and automatic tempo increases.
20–300 BPM · fixed 3/4 time
Sound & Subdivision
Click each numbered beat above to cycle between Accent → Normal → Mute.
Gap Trainer
The internal pulse keeps running during silent measures so you can test whether your 3/4 timing drifts.
Tempo Trainer
Recent Tempos
No recent tempos yet.
Accuracy: Audio clicks are scheduled against the Web Audio clock with look-ahead scheduling. Device load, Bluetooth, and the operating-system audio path can still affect what you physically hear.
Privacy: No microphone is required. Convenience history is stored only in your browser session.
Keyboard: Space = start/pause · T = Tap Tempo · ↑/↓ = BPM ±1 · Esc = stop.
Practice 3/4 Time With a Free Online Metronome
A 3/4 metronome online gives you a steady three-beat pulse for music written in 3/4 time. Each measure contains three quarter-note beats, typically counted as:
ONE – two – three | ONE – two – three
Use the tool to set your BPM, follow the visual 1–2–3 beat display, practice with subdivisions, customize accents, or challenge your internal timing with silent-bar practice.
Because this metronome is fixed to 3/4, you do not need to select a time signature before starting. If you need to switch between several meters, use the general Online Metronome instead.
How to Use the 3/4 Metronome
Start by choosing a tempo that feels comfortable for the music or exercise you are practicing.
You can:
- Enter the BPM manually
- Adjust BPM with the slider
- Use the plus and minus controls
- Select a tempo preset
- Tap the beat with Tap Tempo
- Choose a subdivision
- Change the click sound
- Adjust individual beat accents
- Use the Gap Trainer
- Enable the Tempo Trainer
Press Start and follow the repeating three-beat pattern.
Beat 1 normally receives a stronger accent, making each new measure easy to hear. You can also click the numbered beat controls to change individual beats between Accent, Normal, and Mute.
If you are new to metronome practice, our guide on how to use a metronome explains how to build a steady practice routine without simply chasing the click.
How to Count 3/4 Time
The top number in a 3/4 time signature tells you that there are three beats in each measure. The bottom number indicates that the quarter note is the basic notated beat unit.
A simple count is:
1 – 2 – 3
Then the next measure starts again at 1.
You can think of several measures as:
ONE – two – three | ONE – two – three | ONE – two – three
This grouping is what gives 3/4 its characteristic triple-meter feel.
For a deeper explanation of how meter works, read our guide to time signatures.
Why Beat 1 Is Accented
Beat 1 is the downbeat and normally marks the beginning of each measure.
A stronger first click creates the pattern:
ONE – two – three
rather than three completely identical pulses.
This is especially useful when:
- Learning a new piece
- Practicing accompaniment patterns
- Reading longer passages
- Working on waltz rhythm
- Recovering your place after a mistake
Once your internal sense of the measure becomes stronger, you can reduce or remove the accent.
The tool also allows different beat patterns, so you can place emphasis on beats 2 or 3 when practicing syncopation or rhythmic independence.
3/4 Time and Waltz Rhythm
3/4 is strongly associated with the waltz because a typical waltz accompaniment follows a repeating three-beat structure.
A basic piano pattern might place a bass note on beat 1 followed by chords on beats 2 and 3:
Bass – chord – chord
That naturally fits:
ONE – two – three
However, not every piece written in 3/4 is a waltz. Triple meter appears in many styles, including classical repertoire, folk music, ballads, hymns, and contemporary music.
There is also no single correct “waltz BPM.” Tempo depends on the style, piece, interpretation, and practice goal.
If you are still learning a passage, start slower than the final performance tempo and increase the BPM only after the rhythm feels controlled.
Using Subdivisions in 3/4
The main 3/4 pulse gives you three clicks per measure, but some passages require a more detailed rhythmic reference.
The metronome can subdivide each main beat into smaller units.
Eighth Notes
Each quarter-note beat is divided into two:
1 & 2 & 3 &
This is useful for even eighth-note passages, strumming, picking, piano accompaniment, and rhythm reading.
Triplets
Each main beat is divided into three equal parts:
1-trip-let 2-trip-let 3-trip-let
Triplet subdivisions can help with three-part rhythmic figures inside each beat.
Sixteenth Notes
Each quarter-note beat is divided into four:
1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a
This provides a detailed grid for fast passages and coordination exercises.
If you need exact durations for these subdivisions, the Note Length Calculator converts BPM into note lengths and related timing values.
3/4 vs 6/8: What Is the Difference?
3/4 and 6/8 can look similar because both contain six eighth-note equivalents per measure, but their normal metric grouping is different.
3/4 is usually felt as three quarter-note beats:
1 – 2 – 3
6/8 is commonly felt as two larger groups of three eighth notes:
ONE-two-three FOUR-five-six
That means 3/4 is generally simple triple meter, while 6/8 is compound duple meter.
The distinction affects accents, phrasing, conducting patterns, and the way the rhythm feels.
When practicing music specifically written in compound meter, use the dedicated 6/8 Metronome rather than treating it as another version of 3/4.
Choosing the Right BPM
There is no single best BPM for practicing in 3/4.
Choose a tempo based on:
- The written tempo marking
- The difficulty of the passage
- Your current technical control
- The style of the music
- Your practice objective
A useful rule is to begin at a speed where you can maintain accurate rhythm without tension or repeated mistakes.
Once the passage becomes stable, increase the BPM gradually.
If you do not know the tempo of a recording, you can estimate it with the BPM Finder or use Tap Tempo directly in the metronome.
Build Speed With the Tempo Trainer
The Tempo Trainer automatically raises the BPM after a selected number of measures.
For example, you could configure:
Start: 72 BPM
Increase: +2 BPM
Every: 4 measures
Target: 100 BPM
The metronome then increases the tempo gradually while you continue playing.
This can be useful for:
- Scales
- Arpeggios
- Piano patterns
- Guitar picking
- Drum exercises
- Difficult technical passages
- Dance timing practice
Do not continue increasing speed if your timing or technique starts to break down. Lower the BPM and rebuild control before progressing.
Test Your Internal Timing With Gap Practice
The Gap Trainer removes the audible click for selected measures while the underlying metronome pulse continues.
For example:
3 bars audible → 1 bar silent
During the silent bar, continue counting and playing at the same tempo. When the click returns, check whether you are still aligned.
If you consistently meet the returning downbeat, your internal pulse is becoming more reliable.
For more structured ideas like this, see our guide on how to practice with a metronome.
Practicing 3/4 on Different Instruments
A 3/4 metronome can be used across instruments and voice.
Pianists can practice waltz accompaniment and left-hand patterns. Guitarists can work on three-beat strumming or fingerpicking. Drummers can practice triple-meter grooves and fills. Singers can use the click to stabilize entrances and phrasing.
If you need a downloadable timing reference instead of a live metronome, the Click Track Generator can create a fixed-tempo WAV track for recording or rehearsal.
Accuracy and Browser Timing
The metronome schedules its audio through the browser using Web Audio timing rather than treating ordinary interface timers as the musical clock.
This provides a stable practice pulse on compatible modern browsers, but what reaches your ears can still be influenced by:
- Device performance
- Operating-system audio processing
- Bluetooth latency
- Audio interfaces
- Browser load
- Output hardware
For normal individual practice, the goal is a consistent musical reference. This browser tool should not be treated as a replacement for dedicated MIDI clock, DAW synchronization, or specialist hardware timing systems.
Privacy and Browser Processing
The 3/4 metronome does not require microphone access.
Clicks are generated locally in your browser. Recent tempo choices may be retained temporarily in the current browser session for convenience, and you can clear that history from the tool.
No audio recording is required simply to run the metronome.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 3/4 metronome?
A 3/4 metronome produces a repeating three-beat pattern for music written in 3/4 time. Each measure contains three quarter-note beats.
How do you count 3/4 time?
Count 1, 2, 3, then repeat from 1 at the start of the next measure.
Which beat is strongest in 3/4?
Beat 1 is normally the strongest because it marks the downbeat and beginning of the measure.
Is 3/4 always a waltz?
No. Waltzes commonly use triple meter, but many other musical styles and pieces are also written in 3/4.
Is 3/4 the same as 6/8?
No. 3/4 is normally felt as three quarter-note beats, while 6/8 is commonly organized as two larger groups of three eighth notes.
What does the 4 mean in 3/4?
The bottom number indicates that the quarter note is the basic notated beat unit.
What BPM should I use for 3/4?
Use the tempo required by the piece or a slower BPM that allows you to practice accurately. Increase the speed gradually as your control improves.
Can I use subdivisions in 3/4?
Yes. Eighth notes, triplets, and sixteenth notes can provide a more detailed rhythmic reference between the three main beats.
What is Gap Trainer practice?
Gap practice temporarily removes the click while the metronome continues internally. You maintain the tempo yourself and check your accuracy when the sound returns.
Can I practice other time signatures on this metronome?
This tool is intentionally fixed to 3/4. For other meters, use the general Online Metronome or a dedicated meter-specific tool such as the 4/4 Metronome.