Enter a BPM number to find its matching classical tempo marking, from Largo to Presto.
This is the reverse of looking up a tempo marking in a chart: type in the number you already have (from a metronome, a DAW, or the BPM Calculator on this site) and get the traditional Italian term that matches it.
BPM to Tempo Marking
BPM:
Tempo Marking: —
Why Convert BPM to a Tempo Marking?
Sheet music and classical scores usually specify tempo with an Italian word rather than a number. If you already know a song’s BPM and want to label it, write it on a chart, or just describe it the traditional way, this tool matches your number to the standard term.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your song or track’s BPM.
- Click Convert to see the matching tempo marking.
Example: 140 BPM converts to Allegro. Don’t know your BPM yet? The BPM Calculator on this site finds it by tapping, manual entry, or song length.
Tempo Marking Reference Chart
| Tempo Marking | BPM Range |
|---|---|
| Largo | 40–60 |
| Adagio | 66–76 |
| Andante | 76–108 |
| Moderato | 108–120 |
| Allegro | 120–168 |
| Presto | 168–200 |
Did You Know?
- These Italian tempo terms predate the metronome, which wasn’t invented until the early 1800s, so composers relied on these words alone to communicate speed for centuries.
- Some scores add modifiers like “Allegro moderato” or “Adagio assai” to fine-tune a marking without giving an exact number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my BPM falls right between two markings?
The ranges above overlap slightly by tradition rather than fixed rule, so a BPM near a boundary could reasonably be described either way; the calculator picks the closer standard range.
Is there a marking for BPM below 40 or above 200?
Grave (below 40) and Prestissimo (above 200) exist for extreme tempos but are less commonly used than the six core markings covered here.