Tempo markings and their BPM ranges
Tempo markings are words, usually Italian, written at the start of a piece to say how fast it should go. The table lists the ranges most sources agree on.
| Term | Meaning | BPM |
|---|---|---|
| Largo | Slow and broad | 40 to 60 |
| Adagio | Slow and stately | 66 to 76 |
| Andante | At a walking pace | 76 to 108 |
| Moderato | Moderate | 108 to 120 |
| Allegro | Fast and bright | 120 to 156 |
| Presto | Very fast | 168 to 200 |
| Prestissimo | Extremely fast | Over 200 |
Why the ranges differ between sources
These words describe a character as well as a speed, and there is no single official table, so sources disagree. Some give Allegro as high as 168 BPM, and some textbooks list narrower or lower ranges for several terms. Treat the numbers as a rough guide, not a rule.
Other tempo terms
There are many more, such as Lento, Larghetto, Allegretto and Vivace. Sources give conflicting ranges for those, so this page leaves the numbers out. Words like molto (very), poco (a little), più (more) and meno (less) change a term, so molto allegro is faster than allegro.
Find where your song falls
Tap along with the song on the tap tempo counter, then compare the number with the table. If the reading looks twice or half what you expected, it may fall under a different term, which the half-time and double-time guide explains.
Tempo markings and the metronome
Set the metronome to a value in the range to hear what a term sounds like, or use the BPM to ms calculator to turn a tempo into note lengths.
Common questions
What BPM is allegro?
Most sources give 120 to 156 BPM, and some extend it to 168.
Is tempo the same as BPM?
Tempo is the speed of the music. BPM is one way to measure it, by counting beats per minute, and tempo markings are the traditional words for the same idea.
Do tempo markings have exact BPM values?
No. A marking gives a general speed and character, and the ranges overlap.