Descriptions and Beats Per Minute (BPM) Reference for Music Tempo Markings

The following are suggested Beats Per Minute ranges for selected music tempos. Please note that there is a degree of subjective nature inherent in such a list.

*Please note the BPM used here refers to Beats Per Minute, not Beats Per Measure, or Bars Per Minute, as is may be used in certain domains.
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Larghissimo

24 bpm and less
Extremely slow
Adagissimo

24-40 bpm
Very slow
Grave

25–45 bpm
Very slow
Largo

40–60 bpm
Slow and broad
Lento

45–60 bpm
Slow
Larghetto

60–66 bpm
Rather slow and 'broad'
Adagio

66–76 bpm
Slow with great expression
Adagietto

70–80 bpm
Slower than andante or slightly faster than adagio
Andante

76–108 bpm
At a walking pace
Andantino

80–108 bpm
Slightly faster than andante
Marcia moderato

83–85 bpm
Moderately, in the manner of a march
Moderato

108–120 bpm
At a moderate speed
Andante moderato

92–112 bpm
Between andante and moderato
Allegretto

112–120 bpm
By the mid-19th century, moderately fast
Allegro moderato

116–120 bpm
Close to, but not quite allegro
Allegro

120–156 bpm
Fast, quick, and bright
Vivace

156–176 bpm
Lively and fast
Vivacissimo

172–176 bpm
Very fast and lively
Allegrissimo

172–176 bpm
Very fast
Allegro vivace

172–176 bpm
Very fast
Presto

168–200 bpm
Very, very fast
Prestissimo

200 bpm and over
Even faster than presto