12/8 metronome
In 12/8 (compound time), each bar has 12 eighth notes, accented in the 3+3+3+3 grouping. At 180 BPM, one bar lasts 4 s.
180 BPM
Presto
12/8 (3+3+3+3) BPM in eighth notes
Space bar: play/stop
Practice Speed trainer, muted bars and polyrhythm
13 steps · one round takes about 2 min 25 s
Say along: “nice cup of tea”
The start of each group is accented.
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Counts the time the metronome is playing, on any metronome page. It stays on this device only: nothing is sent anywhere.
How to count 12/8
12/8 is compound time: 12 eighth notes per bar, in 4 groups of 3. You feel 4 beats, each one a dotted quarter note split into 3. Count it like this (the beats are highlighted):
- 123
- 456
- 789
- 101112
Simple, compound or odd time?
In compound time each beat splits into 3. The top number counts the subdivisions, not the beats: 6/8 has 2 beats, 9/8 has 3 and 12/8 has 4.
Groupings of 12/8
The grouping decides where the accents fall: the same 12/8 feels different depending on its groups. Tap one to hear it on the metronome:
What the BPM counts in 12/8
Here the BPM counts the eighth note, the note value of the bottom number. In 12/8 at 180 BPM, each bar lasts 4 seconds.
Since 12/8 is compound time, you can turn on “BPM in dotted quarters” in the options: the BPM then counts the 4 felt beats per bar, and the eighth notes become the subdivision.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set the metronome to 12/8?
This page already opens in 12/8: just tap “Play”. Beat 1 sounds strongest and the start of each group (3+3+3+3) sounds medium. On the other metronome pages, pick 12/8 under “Time signature”.
Which note value does the BPM count in 12/8?
By default, the eighth note (the bottom number). Since 12/8 is compound time, you can count the dotted quarter note, the felt beat, by turning on “BPM in dotted quarters” in the options.
Can I change the grouping of 12/8?
Yes: under “Grouping”, choose between 3+3+3+3, 3+3+2+2+2, 3+2+3+2+2, 3+2+2+3+2, 3+2+2+2+3, 2+3+3+2+2. The accents change instantly, without stopping the metronome.
Can I hear the subdivisions?
Yes: under “Subdivision”, choose quarter notes, eighth notes, triplets, sixteenth notes, quintuplets, sextuplets, septuplets, thirty-second notes or swing. You can switch without stopping, too.