40 BPM in numbers
40 BPM is the slowest number on a classic wind-up metronome. The clicks are a second and a half apart, which feels very slow: most people start to rush before the next one arrives. At 40 beats per minute, one beat lasts 1,500 ms (1.5 s).
| Note or bar | Length at 40 BPM |
|---|---|
| One beat (quarter note) | 1,500 ms |
| Eighth note | 750 ms |
| Eighth-note triplet | 500 ms |
| Sixteenth note | 375 ms |
| Bar of 3/4 | 4.5 s |
| Bar of 4/4 | 6 s |
| Bars of 4/4 per minute | 10 |
Tempo marking: Largo
40 BPM falls in the Largo range, “broad and slow”, which this metronome places at 40 to 65 BPM. Reference charts do not all agree, so treat tempo words as a feel rather than a fixed number. 40 is one of the numbers printed on a mechanical (Maelzel) metronome.
What 40 BPM is used for
Musicians use 40 BPM to take a hard passage apart, often counting eighth notes (80 per minute) or sixteenths (160) against the click. It also works as a calm pulse for long stretches or slow exhales. In 4/4 it gives just 10 bars a minute.
Walking, running and CPR at 40
CPR: chest compressions need 100 to 120 per minute (American Heart Association), so 40 BPM is too slow for that. Use the 110 BPM metronome to practice.
Walking: below about 100 steps per minute, walking is usually light intensity for adults, according to the CADENCE-Adults study.
Practice ideas at 40 BPM
At slow tempos the gaps feel long and most people rush. Turn on Subdivide for a soft click between beats, and count the subdivisions out loud. Press the space bar to start or stop, and use the − and + buttons to move one BPM at a time. Other tempos: 50 BPM, or the full online metronome. To time a practice session, pair it with a timer.