TempoLife › Features › Online metronome and tap tempo
Metronome
A metronome that runs in your browser — synthesised clicks, no audio files. Tap your own tempo, accent every Nth beat, or switch to running-cadence mode for steps per minute.
Running cadence, honestly
The cadence mode counts steps per minute, not beats per bar. The commonly cited efficient range is around 170-180 steps per minute — the number that gets repeated because elite distance runners run there. The better-studied claim is Heiderscheit et al. (2011): raising cadence 5-10% above your usual reduces loading on the knee and hip. So the useful experiment is not "hit 180", it is "run 5-10% quicker steps than you do now".
Source: Heiderscheit BC et al., "Effects of step rate manipulation on joint mechanics" — Med Sci Sports Exerc 2011 · checked 2026-09-03
Frequently asked questions
How does tap tempo work?
Tap the button at least four times at your tempo; the metronome takes the middle tap intervals as your BPM and starts. The more even your taps, the better the reading.
What is running cadence?
Steps per minute. Elite distance runners commonly run 180 or more; recreational runners typically 160-170. Increasing cadence by 5-10% is studied as a way to reduce joint loading (Heiderscheit et al., 2011) — a cue, not a prescription.
Why does the click not stutter?
The clicks are scheduled ahead of time against the audio clock, not per browser tick — the classic Web Audio scheduling technique. The page needs no network once open.
Tempo in the name, tempo in the app
TempoLife sets the pace for habits — workouts, sleep and meals on one rhythm.