How to Use a Metronome
Updated Nov 11, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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A metronome marks steady beats so you can hear whether you are playing in time. Set the tempo in beats per minute, choose how many beats fall in each bar, then start the click and play along with it. Mechanical metronomes wind up by hand; digital metronomes run on a rechargeable battery or USB power.
Set the tempo in beats per minute
Tempo is measured in beats per minute, shown as BPM. The metronomes in this guide cover 40 to 208 BPM. Use the dial or the buttons to reach the number you want, and check the reading before you start. On a digital metronome you can also tap the tempo in: tap the button twice and the metronome sets the tempo from your taps.
Choose the beat pattern for each bar
Beat selection sets how many beats fall in each bar and which beat gets the bell. The mechanical metronomes here offer 0, 2, 3, 4 and 6 beats, and the digital metronome offers beat patterns from 0 to 9. Choose 0 when you want an even click with no accented beat. Choose 2, 3, 4 or 6 to match the number of beats in the bar you are playing.
Start the click and play along with it
On a mechanical metronome, wind it up, take off the cover and start the beat. On a digital metronome, press the button to start the click and watch the LED light for a visual tempo indication. Play one note on each click, and keep going until the passage ends or the metronome runs down. Plug earphones into the 3.5mm jack on a digital metronome to hear the click through earphones.
Use the timer on a digital metronome
The digital metronome has a timer function to set the length of a session at 15 minutes, 30, 45 or 60 minutes. Set the timer before you start, and the metronome stops the click when the time runs out. On the Ueteto mechanical metronome, a single full wind lasts at least 18 minutes depending on the tempo, so wind it again when the click stops.
Stop the metronome when you finish
Press the button to stop the click on a digital metronome, or stop the beat and put the cover back on a mechanical metronome. Unplug the earphones if you used them. Charge the digital metronome from a 5V USB power source before the battery runs out, so it is ready for the next session.
What you need
Sondery Digital Metronome Rechargeable Vocal Counting
A digital metronome with vocal counting, 3 types of digital sounds, a rotary dial from 40 to 208 BPM, tap tempo and a rechargeable battery.
- Top tempo: 208 BPM
- Rechargeable
- Type: Digital
Ueteto Mechanical Metronome Black/Loud Sound Piano Drum
A mechanical metronome with a wind-up mechanism and no battery, an audible click and bell, a 40 to 208 BPM range and beats of 0, 2, 3, 4 and 6.
- Top tempo: 208 BPM
- Type: Mechanical
HOSEYIN Mechanical Metronome
A mechanical metronome with a 40 to 208 BPM range, beat selection of 0, 2, 3, 4 and 6 with bell sounds, and a movement of plastic and metal.
- Top tempo: 208 BPM
- Type: Mechanical
TERENCE Mechanical Metronomes for Piano Guitar Violin Bass
A mechanical metronome with an all-metal movement, a 40 to 208 BPM beat range, beat selection of 0, 2, 3, 4 and 6, and a wood grain finish.
- Top tempo: 208 BPM
- Type: Mechanical
These come from our ranked list Best Metronome, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a battery for a mechanical metronome?
No. The mechanical metronomes here wind up by hand and need no battery. The digital metronome runs on a rechargeable battery charged from a 5V USB power source.
What does the 0 beat setting do?
A beat setting of 0 gives an even click with no accented beat. Use it when you want every beat to sound the same and do not need the bell to mark the first beat of the bar.
Can I use a metronome with earphones?
Yes. The digital metronome has a 3.5mm jack for earphones, so you can hear the click through earphones instead of the speaker.
How long does a wind last on a mechanical metronome?
On the Ueteto, an average single full wind lasts at least 18 minutes depending on the tempo. Wind it again when the click stops.
Ranked metronomes lists
More how-to guides
Product details come from each Amazon listing and can change. Check the listing before you buy.