Tempo Guide: from Larghissimo to Prestissimo

A complete guide to Italian markings — from Larghissimo (20 BPM) to Prestissimo (200+ BPM). Every page covers what the term means, its BPM range, its musical characteristics, famous pieces, and gives you an interactive metronome.

16 markings20–300 BPM

Larghissimo

20–24 BPM · Very broad, extremely slow

Extremely slow and solemn.

Example: Symphony No. 9 "From the New World" (4th mvt. intro) — Antonín DvořákSamuel Barber

Grave

25–40 BPM · Slow and heavy, with solemnity

Slow and heavy, with depth and solemnity.

Example: Funeral March (Piano Sonata No. 2, 3rd mvt.) — Frédéric ChopinLudwig van Beethoven

Largo

41–54 BPM · Broad, extended

Slow and broad, with plenty of space.

Example: Symphony No. 3 "Eroica" (2nd mvt. — Marcia funebre) — Ludwig van BeethovenJohann Pachelbel

Larghetto

55–64 BPM · A little broad, not as slow as Largo

Reasonably broad, slightly quicker than Largo.

Example: Symphony No. 40 (2nd mvt.) — W. A. MozartAntonio Vivaldi

Adagio

65–72 BPM · Slowly, at ease

Slow, relaxed and expressive.

Example: Symphony No. 9 (3rd mvt. — Adagio molto) — Ludwig van BeethovenW. A. Mozart

Adagietto

73–76 BPM · A little faster than Adagio

A touch quicker than Adagio, keeping a gentle character.

Example: Symphony No. 8 (2nd mvt.) — Franz SchubertW. A. Mozart

Andante

77–84 BPM · At a walking pace

At a walking pace, flowing naturally.

Example: Symphony No. 5 (2nd mvt.) — Ludwig van BeethovenW. A. Mozart

Andantino

85–92 BPM · A little faster than Andante

A little faster than Andante, with a graceful character.

Example: Piano Sonata No. 8 "Pathétique" (3rd mvt.) — Ludwig van BeethovenWolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Moderato

93–100 BPM · Moderately

Moderate and balanced.

Example: Symphony No. 5 (1st mvt.) — Ludwig van BeethovenAntonio Vivaldi

Allegretto

101–108 BPM · Moderately fast, cheerful

Cheerful and moderately quick.

Example: Symphony No. 3 "Eroica" (3rd mvt.) — Ludwig van BeethovenJ. C. Bach

Allegro

109–120 BPM · Cheerful, lively, fast

Fast, bright and energetic.

Example: Symphony No. 40 (1st mvt.) — W. A. MozartLudwig van Beethoven

Vivace

121–132 BPM · Lively, animated, vibrant

Lively and bright.

Example: Violin Concerto No. 3 (1st mvt.) — Wolfgang Amadeus MozartLudwig van Beethoven

Molto Vivace

133–156 BPM · Very lively, very fast

Very lively and fast.

Example: Symphony No. 9 (4th mvt. — Allegro ma non troppo) — Ludwig van BeethovenGioachino Rossini

Presto

157–168 BPM · Very fast, immediately

Very fast.

Example: Étude Op. 10 No. 4 — Frédéric ChopinFrédéric Chopin

Prestissimo

169–200 BPM · As fast as possible

Extremely fast — as fast as it goes.

Example: Étude Op. 25 No. 1 — Frédéric ChopinFrédéric Chopin

Ultra Presto

201–300 BPM · Beyond conventional speed

Beyond the conventional range.

Example: Étude Op. 10 No. 7 — Frédéric ChopinScott Joplin

How to use the tempo guide

Click any tempo marking to open its full guide — meaning, BPM range, characteristics, famous pieces, and an interactive metronome set to the midpoint of that range.

← Back to the metronome