Free Online Polyrhythm Metronome

A polyrhythmic metronome that runs in your browser. Keep a steady 4/4 pulse going and layer any ratio on top of it — 3:4, 5:4, 7:4, anything up to 16:4 — then mute the beats you want to feel instead of hear. No account, no install, no cost.

What is a polyrhythm?

A polyrhythm is two rhythms with different beat counts played across the same span of time. In a 3 against 4 polyrhythm, one voice divides the bar into three even beats while another divides it into four. Both start together on the downbeat, pull against each other in the middle, and land together again at the top of the next bar. Hearing that pull clearly is the hard part, and it is exactly what this metronome is built for: each layer gets its own pitch so you can pick the lines apart while they overlap.

How to use it

1. Set your tempo with the knob, the + and − buttons, or the Tap button. Press T to tap from the keyboard.
2. Press play, or hit the space bar. The top row is your 4/4 reference pulse.
3. Press + Add Track and choose a ratio from the dropdown to lay a polyrhythm over that pulse. Add as many layers as you want.
4. Click any beat dot to mute that single beat. Silencing the downbeat of a layer is a good way to force yourself to internalise where it falls.
5. Use the mute, solo and volume controls on each track to isolate one line while you learn it.

Practice mode: a metronome that speeds up

Working a passage up to tempo is the whole job, so the metronome will do it for you. Open Practice Mode, choose how many BPM to add and how many bars to wait between increases, and the tempo climbs on its own while you play. Start a lick at 60 BPM, set it to add 5 BPM every 8 bars, and let it walk you up to speed without ever reaching for the controls.

Frequently asked questions

Is this metronome free?

Yes. Every feature is free, there is no account to create and nothing to install. It runs entirely in your browser.

Which polyrhythm ratios can I play?

Any ratio from 2:4 up to 16:4 against the 4/4 reference track, including 3:4, 5:4 and 7:4. You can stack several layers at once to build compound patterns.

Can the metronome speed up automatically?

Yes. Practice mode raises the tempo by a set number of BPM every few bars, so you can start a passage slow and work it up to speed without touching the controls.

Does it work on iPhone and Android?

Yes. The layout adapts to small screens and works in any modern mobile browser. Tap the play button once to let the browser start audio.

What is the difference between a polyrhythm and a polymeter?

A polyrhythm fits different beat counts into the same bar length, so the cycles realign every bar. A polymeter keeps the beat length the same but gives each part a different bar length, so the parts take much longer to line up again.