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BPM to Hz Calculator (LFO Rate & Synth Sync)

Free online BPM to Hz calculator for synthesizers and producers. Convert any tempo to frequency to sync your LFOs, modular gear, and analog delays to the beat — no MIDI sync required.

LFO Rate Calculator & Synth Modulation Sync

Whole Note

0.500

Hz

Half Note

1.000

Hz

Quarter Note

2.000

Hz

Eighth Note

4.000

Hz

16th Note

8.000

Hz

Dotted Quarter

1.333

Hz

Full Subdivision Reference

NoteFormulaHzms

Eurorack tempo sync: Most modular LFOs accept a CV input calibrated to 1V/oct. Use the quarter-note Hz value to patch directly into your LFO rate input, or scale it with an attenuverter for custom modulation speeds.

Don't know your track's BPM? Tap it out first using our Free Tap Tempo Calculator.

How Does BPM to Hz Conversion Work?

Converting BPM to Hz is straightforward: Hertz is simply cycles per second, and a musical beat is one cycle. To convert tempo to frequency, divide the BPM by 60 to get the frequency of a quarter note in Hertz.

For example, a track at 120 BPM produces a quarter-note frequency of 2.0 Hz (120 ÷ 60 = 2). The same tempo yields 4.0 Hz for eighth notes, 1.0 Hz for half notes, and 8.0 Hz for sixteenth notes. This is the exact math your modular synth LFO sync needs.

  • Quarter note (BPM ÷ 60): The base frequency — one cycle per beat. At 120 BPM, this is 2.0 Hz. At 90 BPM, it's 1.5 Hz.
  • Eighth note (BPM ÷ 120): Two cycles per beat — ideal for faster LFO modulation and tremolo effects on synths.
  • Sixteenth note (BPM ÷ 240): Four cycles per beat — used for rapid arpeggiator gating and rhythmic filter sweeps.

The Math: BPM to Hz Formula

Hz = BPM ÷ 60

The core formula — converts beats per minute into cycles per second (Hertz)

This formula gives you the quarter note frequency. To get other subdivisions, divide further: eighth notes are Hz ÷ 2, sixteenth notes are Hz ÷ 4, half notes are Hz × 2. For analog delay time to Hz conversions, this math is identical.

Period (ms) = 1000 ÷ Hz

Converts frequency back to milliseconds — useful for setting analog delay times

The period in milliseconds is the time between each beat. At 120 BPM (2.0 Hz), each beat lasts 500ms. At 90 BPM (1.5 Hz), each beat lasts 666.67ms. This dual conversion — Hz to ms and back — is essential for Eurorack tempo sync workflows.

LFO Sync for Modular Synths & Hardware

Hardware synthesizers and Eurorack modular systems often lack automatic tempo sync. You need to manually tune your LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator) to match the track's BPM. This calculator gives you the exact Hz value to dial in on your synth's frequency knob.

Common LFO rates mapped to BPM values for modular synth patching and hardware synthesizer tempo sync.

BPMQuarter (Hz)Eighth (Hz)16th (Hz)Common Use
601.0002.0004.000Slow pad modulation
901.5003.0006.000Hip-Hop wobble bass
1202.0004.0008.000House / Techno LFO
1282.1334.2678.533EDM / Dance standard
1402.3334.6679.333Dubstep / Trap modulation
1742.9005.80011.600Drum & Bass wobble

Pro Tip: Many Eurorack LFOs have a frequency range of 0.01 Hz to 20 Hz. At 120 BPM, quarter-note Hz (2.0 Hz) falls squarely in the sweet spot. For slower tempos below 60 BPM, you may need to use half-note or whole-note subdivisions to stay within your LFO's usable range.

Analog Delay Time to Hz Conversion

Analog delay pedals and Eurorack delay modules use time-based controls (milliseconds) rather than tempo sync. To convert tempo to frequency for your delay, first calculate the delay time in ms, then set your pedal's time knob accordingly.

  • Quarter-note delay: Set your delay time to 60,000 / BPM milliseconds. At 120 BPM, that's 500ms — a classic rhythmic delay.
  • Dotted eighth delay: Set to 750ms / BPM. At 120 BPM, that's 625ms — the signature U2 / The Edge rhythmic delay sound.
  • Triplet delay: Set to 500ms / BPM. At 120 BPM, that's 333.33ms — creates a swinging, galloping rhythm.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert BPM to Hz?

To convert Beats Per Minute (BPM) to Hertz (Hz), divide your BPM by 60. This gives you the frequency in cycles per second for one standard quarter note. For example, 120 BPM divided by 60 equals 2.0 Hz. This BPM to Hz calculator does it instantly for any tempo.

What is the LFO rate for an 8th note?

To calculate an 8th note LFO rate, first find your quarter note frequency (BPM ÷ 60), and then multiply that result by 2. Because an 8th note cycles twice as fast as a quarter note, a 120 BPM track would require an LFO rate of 4.0 Hz. Use this LFO rate calculator above to find the exact value.

Why do modular synthesizers use Hz instead of BPM?

Purely analog hardware and modular synthesizers rely on continuous electrical control voltage (CV) rather than digital MIDI clocks. Hertz measures exact electrical cycles per second, allowing you to manually tune an analog oscillator or LFO knob to match the rhythm of a track. This is why Eurorack tempo sync requires Hz values, not BPM.

How do I sync an analog delay pedal to my track's tempo?

If your analog delay lacks a tap-tempo feature but lists its delay time in Hertz, use a BPM to Hz calculator to find the exact frequency of your desired subdivision (like a dotted 8th note). Then, adjust the delay rate knob to match that specific Hz value. For delays listed in milliseconds, use ms = 60,000 / BPM for quarter notes.

What Hz should my LFO be for 120 BPM?

At 120 BPM, set your LFO rate to 2.0 Hz for quarter-note sync, 4.0 Hz for eighth notes, or 8.0 Hz for sixteenth notes. Most hardware synths and Eurorack modules display frequency in Hz — use these values to dial in your modular synth LFO sync precisely.

How do I sync my modular synth LFO to BPM?

Most Eurorack modules accept a clock input or a 1V/oct CV signal. If your LFO has a frequency knob, set it to the Hz value from this calculator. If it accepts CV, patch a clock divider or use an expert sleepers module to convert MIDI clock to analog CV for Eurorack tempo sync.