How to find the BPM of a song: methods and pitfalls
Updated October 17, 2026
In shortThe fastest way is automatic detection, in your DJ software or in the free DJWavPool BPM tool. Then check by ear: detectors often land on half or double the tempo (87 instead of 174 in drum & bass), and tracks played by live musicians can drift.
Three ways to find the BPM
- Automatic detection, in Rekordbox, Serato, Traktor or the DJWavPool BPM tool.
- Tap tempo: tap a key in time for about ten beats.
- Label or store info, often listed on Beatport.
Common mistakes
- Half or double tempo: 70 instead of 140, 87 instead of 174.
- Intros without a kick that throw off the analysis.
- Tracks with a drifting tempo (live, disco, afro) that the grid cannot follow.
Keep a reliable BPM
- Fix the value in your software, then lock the grid.
- Write the BPM into the file's tags so it follows the file to another machine.
- DJWavPool writes BPM and key into the tags of every download.
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