---
name: "bpm"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "bpm-tools"
version: "0.3-5"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/bpm"
---

# bpm(1)

calculate the tempo of music files

## NAME

bpm-tools - calculate the tempo of music files

## SYNOPSIS

**bpm-tag** \[*options*\] *file*

**bpm-graph** *file*

**bpm** \[*options*\] \< *file.raw*

## DESCRIPTION

The **bpm-tools** commands are used to automatically calculate the tempo (in beats-per-minute) of music, optionally displaying an analysis and adding it to file 'tags'. The data from these tags can be especially useful for navigating a music library in DJ software such as **[xwax(1)](/xwax/1.md).**

The **bpm** command implements the algorithm on raw data, but the most commonly used command is **bpm-tag.**

## OPTIONS

Options are described by the commands themselves. Use one of the following for more information:

bpm-tag -h

bpm-graph -h

bpm -h

## EXAMPLES

Tag a file with its tempo:

bpm-tag "Daft Punk - Get Lucky.mp3"

Calculate and display the tempo of a file without modifying it:

bpm-tag -f -n "Gwen Guthrie - Padlock.flac"

Tag a file, with a hint to look for a fast tempo:

bpm-tag -m 120 -x 200 "Roni Size - Brown Paper Bag.oga"

## HOMEPAGE

http://www.pogo.org.uk/~mark/bpm-tools/

## AUTHOR

Mark Hills \<mark@xwax.org\>