What Largo, Andante and Allegro mean in beats per minute — and how fast each one actually feels.

Marking	Meaning	BPM
Larghissimo	Very, very slow	24 and under
Grave	Slow and solemn	25–45
Largo	Broad and slow	40–60
Lento	Slow	45–60
Larghetto	Fairly broad	60–66
Adagio	Slow and stately	66–76
Adagietto	Slightly faster than adagio	72–76
Andante	Walking pace	76–108
Moderato	Moderate	108–120
Allegro	Fast and bright	120–156
Vivace	Lively	156–176
Vivacissimo	Very lively	172–176
Presto	Very fast	168–200
Prestissimo	As fast as possible	200 and over

Before the metronome, composers marked tempo with Italian words describing a feeling rather than a number. Those markings are still printed on almost every score. The BPM ranges below are the modern convention — useful, but never absolute.

A marking also implies character, not only speed: Grave is heavy, Allegro is cheerful, Vivace is lively. Two pieces at the same BPM can carry different markings.

Measure a tempo instead

If you have a recording rather than a score, tap along with it and read the BPM directly.

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