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Tempo markings chart
Italian tempo markings from slowest to fastest, with what they mean and the BPM range most metronomes give for them. Choose a marking to hear it.
| Marking | Meaning | Approx. BPM |
|---|---|---|
| Larghissimo | as broadly as possible | 20–24 |
| Grave | grave, solemn, heavy | 25–45 |
| Largo | broad, wide | 40–60 |
| Lento | slow | 45–60 |
| Larghetto | rather broadly | 60–66 |
| Adagio | at ease, slowly | 66–76 |
| Andante | walking pace | 76–108 |
| Moderato | moderately | 108–120 |
| Allegretto | moderately fast, a little lively | 112–120 |
| Allegro | fast, lively, cheerful | 120–156 |
| Vivace | lively, vivacious | 156–176 |
| Presto | very fast, quickly | 168–200 |
| Prestissimo | as fast as possible | 200+ |
BPM ranges for tempo markings come from 19th- and 20th-century metronome conventions and vary between sources — and between performers. Words like molto (very), poco (a little), assai (very) and ma non troppo (but not too much) adjust them further. Learn more in our tempo markings guide.
- Larghissimo · 20–24 BPMas broadly as possible
- Grave · 25–45 BPMgrave, solemn, heavy
- Largo · 40–60 BPMbroad, wide
- Lento · 45–60 BPMslow
- Larghetto · 60–66 BPMrather broadly
- Adagio · 66–76 BPMat ease, slowly
- Andante · 76–108 BPMwalking pace
- Moderato · 108–120 BPMmoderately
- Allegretto · 112–120 BPMmoderately fast, a little lively
- Allegro · 120–156 BPMfast, lively, cheerful
- Vivace · 156–176 BPMlively, vivacious
- Presto · 168–200 BPMvery fast, quickly
- Prestissimo · 200+ BPMas fast as possible