Tempo markings chart: Italian terms in BPM
Tempo markings are the Italian words at the top of a score that tell you how fast and in what character to play. The chart below gives the usual BPM range for each, from Grave (about 25–45 BPM) to Prestissimo (above 200 BPM). Open any marking to hear it on a metronome.
Tempo markings from slowest to fastest
These are the approximate ranges that metronome makers and reference books commonly print. Editions disagree by a few BPM, and a marking describes character as well as speed, so use the numbers as a starting point.
| Marking | Meaning | Approximate BPM | One beat lasts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grave | grave, serious | 25–45 | 1,333 ms to 2,400 ms |
| Largo | broad | 40–60 | 1,000 ms to 1,500 ms |
| Lento | slow | 40–60 | 1,000 ms to 1,500 ms |
| Larghetto | rather broad | 60–66 | 909 ms to 1,000 ms |
| Adagio | at ease | 66–76 | 789 ms to 909 ms |
| Adagietto | rather at ease | 70–80 | 750 ms to 857 ms |
| Andante | walking, going | 76–108 | 556 ms to 789 ms |
| Andantino | a little walking | 80–108 | 556 ms to 750 ms |
| Moderato | moderate | 108–120 | 500 ms to 556 ms |
| Allegretto | a little lively | 112–120 | 500 ms to 536 ms |
| Allegro | cheerful, lively | 120–156 | 385 ms to 500 ms |
| Vivace | lively, vivacious | 156–176 | 341 ms to 385 ms |
| Presto | quickly | 168–200 | 300 ms to 357 ms |
| Prestissimo | as quickly as possible | 200–240 | 250 ms to 300 ms |
How to read a tempo marking
Start from the range, then let the music decide. A dense passage marked Allegro may sit at the bottom of the range; a light one may sit near the top. If the composer gives a metronome mark such as ♩ = 120, that number takes priority over the word.
Modifiers you will see
Molto means very, as in Molto allegro. Poco means a little, as in Poco adagio. Ma non troppo means but not too much, so Allegro ma non troppo is fast but held back. Assai means very in most modern usage. Più means more and meno means less, so più mosso asks for more motion.
Changing tempo inside a piece
Accelerando means gradually faster and ritardando or rallentando gradually slower. A tempo returns to the original speed after a change. Tempo primo goes back to the tempo at the start. Rubato lets the tempo flex for expression while the overall pulse stays intact.
Practising at a marked tempo
Learn the passage below the marked range first, at a tempo where every note is clean. Raise the metronome a few BPM at a time, and keep the final tempo a little under your limit so the music still breathes.