In music theory, a measure (or bar) refers to a single unit of time featuring a specific number of beats played at a particular tempo. When writing music on a page, composers break their compositions into measures—digestible sections that help players perform the music as intended. When a piece of music is divided into measures, players need only process a little bit of music at a time, allowing them to remain focused on delivering the best possible performance. Measures are designated by vertical measure lines or bar lines that run perpendicular to the staff.

Measures exist to organize long pieces of music into smaller units. Professional musicians like orchestra members and session players read music in real-time as they perform, and they’re often able to perform a piece of music on their very first attempt. By breaking the music into smaller pieces with bar lines, composers facilitate easy sight-reading and better overall performances.


A musician reads a measure of music from left to right, playing the notes in sequence as they appear. To read a measure of music, you need to understand the basics of tempo, meter, and note values. The information conveyed within a measure of written music depends on the:

- __Time signature__: [Musical time signatures](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-time-signatures-in-music) show the number of beats per measure (the top number in a time signature) and the duration of each beat (the bottom number in the time signature). For instance, 3/4 time indicates that there are three beats per measure and each beat has the duration of a quarter note. The most common time signature in Western music is 4/4 or common time.
- __Tempo__: Tempo refers to [the speed of a section of music](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/music-101-what-is-tempo-how-is-tempo-used-in-music). It can be indicated in metronome markings using beats per minute (BPM) or by using descriptive words (traditionally Italian words describe tempo like *adagio* or *andante*).
- __Note values__: Individual notes within a measure last for a [specific fraction of the duration](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/music-101-what-is-musical-notation-learn-about-the-different-types-of-musical-notes-and-time-signatures) of that measure. For instance, quarter notes last for one quarter of a 4/4 measure, while eighth notes last for one eighth of that same 4/4 measure.
- __Bar lines__: Different types of bar lines indicate different player behavior, from continuing onward to repeating a section to stopping the music altogether.


Different types of bar lines appear in sheet music, each type indicating the start or end of a measure and <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication","linkCopy":"communicating","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>communicating</a> instructions for the player.

__1.__ __Single bar line__: A single vertical line that indicates the end of one measure and the beginning of another.
__2.__ __Double bar line__: Two side-by-side vertical lines, indicating the end of one section and the beginning of another.
__3.__ __End bar lines__: Two vertical lines, the second line thicker than the first. This indicates the end of a musical movement or an entire composition.
__4.__ __Start repeat__: Double bar lines—the first one thicker than the second—followed by a pair of dots that look like a colon punctuation mark. This indicates the first measure of a repeated section.
__5.__ __End repeat__: Double bar lines—the second one thicker than the first—preceded by a pair of dots that look like a colon punctuation mark. This indicates the final measure of a repeated section.
Become a better musician with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by musical masters, including Sheila E., Timbaland, Itzhak Perlman, Herbie Hancock, Tom Morello, and more.

When a composer writes a symphony or song, they break down the piece of music into more manageable subdivisions. The smallest of those subdivisions are known as musical measures or musical bars.

When a composer writes a symphony or song, they break down the piece of music into more manageable subdivisions. The smallest of those subdivisions are known as musical measures or musical bars.


Learn About Measures in Music: Basic Musical Punctuation Guide

In music theory, a measure (or bar) refers to a single unit of time featuring a specific number of beats played at a particular tempo. When writing music on a page, composers break their compositions into measures—digestible sections that help players perform the music as intended. When a piece of music is divided into measures, players need only process a little bit of music at a time, allowing them to remain focused on delivering the best possible performance. Measures are designated by vertical measure lines or bar lines that run perpendicular to the staff.

What Is a Measure in Music?

Measures exist to organize long pieces of music into smaller units. Professional musicians like orchestra members and session players read music in real-time as they perform, and they’re often able to perform a piece of music on their very first attempt. By breaking the music into smaller pieces with bar lines, composers facilitate easy sight-reading and better overall performances.

What Is the Purpose of Measures in Music?

A musician reads a measure of music from left to right, playing the notes in sequence as they appear. To read a measure of music, you need to understand the basics of tempo, meter, and note values. The information conveyed within a measure of written music depends on the:<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Time signature: <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-time-signatures-in-music' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-time-signatures-in-music","linkCopy":"Musical time signatures","category":null}'>Musical time signatures</a> show the number of beats per measure (the top number in a time signature) and the duration of each beat (the bottom number in the time signature). For instance, 3/4 time indicates that there are three beats per measure and each beat has the duration of a quarter note. The most common time signature in Western music is 4/4 or common time. </li><li class="">Tempo: Tempo refers to <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/music-101-what-is-tempo-how-is-tempo-used-in-music' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/music-101-what-is-tempo-how-is-tempo-used-in-music","linkCopy":"the speed of a section of music","category":null}'>the speed of a section of music</a>. It can be indicated in metronome markings using beats per minute (BPM) or by using descriptive words (traditionally Italian words describe tempo like adagio or andante). </li><li class="">Note values: Individual notes within a measure last for a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/music-101-what-is-musical-notation-learn-about-the-different-types-of-musical-notes-and-time-signatures' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/music-101-what-is-musical-notation-learn-about-the-different-types-of-musical-notes-and-time-signatures","linkCopy":"specific fraction of the duration","category":null}'>specific fraction of the duration</a> of that measure. For instance, quarter notes last for one quarter of a 4/4 measure, while eighth notes last for one eighth of that same 4/4 measure. </li><li class="">Bar lines: Different types of bar lines indicate different player behavior, from continuing onward to repeating a section to stopping the music altogether. </li></ul>

How to Read a Measure of Music

Different types of bar lines appear in sheet music, each type indicating the start or end of a measure and <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/robin-robertss-tips-for-effective-communication","linkCopy":"communicating","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>communicating</a> instructions for the player.

5 Types of Bar Lines and Their Meanings

1. Single bar line: A single vertical line that indicates the end of one measure and the beginning of another.

2. Double bar line: Two side-by-side vertical lines, indicating the end of one section and the beginning of another.

3. End bar lines: Two vertical lines, the second line thicker than the first. This indicates the end of a musical movement or an entire composition.

4. Start repeat: Double bar lines—the first one thicker than the second—followed by a pair of dots that look like a colon punctuation mark. This indicates the first measure of a repeated section.

5. End repeat: Double bar lines—the second one thicker than the first—preceded by a pair of dots that look like a colon punctuation mark. This indicates the final measure of a repeated section.

Become a better musician with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by musical masters, including Sheila E., Timbaland, Itzhak Perlman, Herbie Hancock, Tom Morello, and more.

Want to Learn More About Music?

When a composer writes a symphony or song, they break down the piece of music into more manageable subdivisions. The smallest of those subdivisions are known as musical measures or musical bars.