Work out beats per bar instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
The top number gives beats per bar and the bottom gives the note value receiving the beat, so a bar is worth top x 4 / bottom quarter notes. Sequencers count tempo in quarter notes regardless of the written signature, which is why 7/8 at 140 bpm gives bars of 1.5 seconds rather than 3.
Bar value
quarter notes per bar = top number x 4 / bottom number
Bar duration
seconds = quarter notes per bar x 60 / tempo
quarter notes per bar = top number x 4 / bottom number. The top number gives beats per bar and the bottom gives the note value receiving the beat, so a bar is worth top x 4 / bottom quarter notes.
Sequencers count tempo in quarter notes regardless of the written signature, which is why 7/8 at 140 bpm gives bars of 1.5 seconds rather than 3.
Enter time signature top number, time signature bottom number, number of bars, tempo in quarter notes. The defaults shown are a realistic worked example — swap in your own figures to get a result you can use.