Time signature

A time signature (also known as meter signature, metre signature, and measure signature) is an indication in music notation that specifies how many note values of a particular type fit into each measure (bar). The time signature indicates the meter of a musical movement at the bar level. In a music score the time signature appears as two stacked numerals, such as 44 (spoken as four–four time), or a time symbol, such as (spoken as common time or cut time). It immediately follows the key signature (or if there is no key signature, the clef symbol).