Tempo Markings and BPM
Allegro
Italian tempo terms tell you the character of the music; the BPM ranges below turn them into numbers you can set on a metronome.
How to read tempo markings
Composers wrote words like Allegro or Andante long before metronomes existed. They describe mood as much as speed, so the ranges overlap between sources by 5 to 10 BPM. Use the chart as a starting point and let the music and the style decide.
Changing the tempo inside a piece
Accelerando means gradually faster, ritardando and rallentando gradually slower, a tempo means back to the main tempo, and rubato means a flexible tempo that pushes and pulls. The speed trainer can rehearse a steady accelerando for you.
Questions
What BPM is Allegro?
Allegro is usually 120 to 155 BPM. Many pieces marked Allegro are played around 130 to 140 BPM.
What is the slowest tempo marking?
Larghissimo, below about 24 BPM, followed by Grave and Largo.
Is Andante slow or fast?
Andante means at a walking pace, about 76 to 107 BPM: moderately slow, slower than Moderato.
| Term | BPM | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Larghissimo | 20–24 | as slow as possible |
| Grave | 25–39 | very slow and solemn |
| Largo | 40–59 | broad, slow |
| Lento | 45–60 | slow |
| Larghetto | 60–65 | rather broad, a little faster than largo |
| Adagio | 66–75 | slow, at ease |
| Andante | 76–107 | at a walking pace |
| Andantino | 80–108 | a little faster than andante |
| Allegretto | 100–128 | moderately fast |
| Moderato | 108–119 | moderate |
| Allegro | 120–155 | fast, bright |
| Vivace | 156–175 | lively, fast |
| Presto | 176–199 | very fast |
| Prestissimo | 200+ | as fast as possible |