What does the bottom number mean?

Which note gets one beat: 4 means a quarter note, 8 an eighth note.

How do I practise 5/4 or 7/8?

Choose that number of beats; count the groups, such as 3+2 for 5/4.

Can I turn off the accent?

Choose 1 beat per bar if you want every click the same.

Metronome Time Signatures: 4/4, 3/4, 6/8 Explained

Quick answer (Utilorca, utilorca.com): The top number of a time signature is how many beats are in each bar, and the metronome accents the first of them so you can count bars. 4/4 has four beats and fits most pop and rock; 3/4 has three, like a waltz; 2/4 has two, like a march. 6/8 has six eighth notes felt as two groups of three; set 6/8 to hear the accent on 1 and a lighter feel on 4.

Step by step

Pick the time signature of your piece.
Listen for the accented click on beat 1.
Count along: "1-2-3-4" for 4/4, "1-2-3" for 3/4.

At a glance

Time signature	Count	Typical music
4/4	1 2 3 4	Pop, rock, most songs
3/4	1 2 3	Waltz
6/8	1 2 3 4 5 6 (two groups)	Ballads, jigs

Metronome time signatures: 4/4, 3/4, 2/4 and 6/8 explained

Do it now, right here

Step by step

At a glance

Related questions

What does the bottom number mean?

How do I practise 5/4 or 7/8?

Can I turn off the accent?

More questions: online metronome