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 |
More Examples and What the Numbers Mean
Examples: 72 BPM is Adagio, a slow and stately pace. 100 BPM is Andante, a relaxed walking pace. 176 BPM is Presto, very fast. Each beat lasts 60,000 ÷ BPM milliseconds, so 140 BPM gives a beat about 429 ms long, and 72 BPM gives about 833 ms.
How Markings Relate to Feel
A tempo marking describes character as well as speed. Adagio suggests a calm, expressive delivery, while Allegro suggests brightness and energy. The same BPM can feel faster or slower depending on the note values in the music, so treat the marking as a guide and trust your ear along with the metronome.
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.
Does the tempo marking change the actual speed?
The marking is a description, and the BPM is the measurement. If a score gives only an Italian term, choose a BPM within its range and adjust to suit the piece.
How do I turn a marking back into a BPM?
Use the reference chart above. Pick a value inside the range, such as about 100 for Andante or about 140 for Allegro, then fine-tune with a metronome.