Tempo Markings

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

Marking Meaning BPM Hear it
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.

Open the tap counter →

More free tools

Tap BPM Tap along to any song and read its tempo. Metronome Steady click from 20 to 300 BPM, with accents. BPM to ms Delay and reverb times for every note value. BPM by Genre Typical tempo range for 60+ music genres. Click Counter Tally clicker that counts up and down. Click Speed Test Measure your clicks per second. BPM Game Guess the hidden tempo by ear.

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