What BPM is Moderato?

Roughly 108–120 BPM, per Wikipedia’s “Tempo” article. The range is an approximation — composers and performers vary — so treat it as a starting point and set the metronome where the music sounds right.

What does moderato mean?

The Italian word means “moderate”. On a score it asks for a tempo that is at a moderate speed.

Is Moderato faster than Andante?

Usually. Andante is at a walking pace, moderately slow (56–108 BPM) and Moderato is at a moderate speed (108–120 BPM); the ranges overlap, so the character of the music decides. The next marking up is Allegretto, moderately fast (112–120 BPM).

How do I set a metronome to Moderato?

Open this page and press Start: the metronome is already at 114 BPM, inside Moderato's 108–120 BPM. Nudge it with − and +, or tap along with a recording using Tap tempo to match a performance you like.

Moderato Tempo — 108–120 BPM & a Free Moderato Metronome

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What Moderato means

Moderato is Italian for “moderate”. As a tempo marking it means at a moderate speed: roughly 108–120 BPM. The metronome above opens at 114 BPM, inside that range — move it to where the piece feels right.

A tempo word describes a character as much as a speed, so the range is wide and it overlaps its neighbours (Andante 56–108 BPM, Andantino 80–108 BPM, Allegretto 112–120 BPM and Allegro 120–156 BPM). The numbers come from Wikipedia’s “Tempo” article, which calls them very rough approximations that vary widely with the composer and the work.

Play through the piece at 114 BPM first, then adjust: a movement marked Moderato with long, singing lines often sits lower in the range, one full of fast notes higher. If a passage won't hold together yet, practice it slower and use the Pro tab's speed trainer to climb back up. Famous movements marked Moderato are listed below, each linked to its sheet music on MuseScore.

Moderato in numbers

Range	108–120 BPM
Metronome preset	114 BPM
Means	at a moderate speed
Italian word	“moderate”
One step slower	Andante, 56–108 BPM
One step faster	Allegretto, 112–120 BPM

Moderato and its neighbours

Andante — 56–108 BPM, at a walking pace, moderately slow
Moderato — 108–120 BPM, at a moderate speed
Allegretto — 112–120 BPM, moderately fast

Ranges from Wikipedia’s “Tempo” article. They are rough, overlap, and vary between composers and pieces.

See scores on MuseScore

Piano Concerto No. 2, I. Moderato — Sergei Rachmaninoff

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AnonymousOct 8, 2026
sencilla y efectiva
AnonymousOct 1, 2026
A memtrone that is sooo customixable
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Easy to use

Frequently asked questions

What BPM is Moderato?: Roughly 108–120 BPM, per Wikipedia’s “Tempo” article. The range is an approximation — composers and performers vary — so treat it as a starting point and set the metronome where the music sounds right.
What does moderato mean?: The Italian word means “moderate”. On a score it asks for a tempo that is at a moderate speed.
Is Moderato faster than Andante?: Usually. Andante is at a walking pace, moderately slow (56–108 BPM) and Moderato is at a moderate speed (108–120 BPM); the ranges overlap, so the character of the music decides. The next marking up is Allegretto, moderately fast (112–120 BPM).
How do I set a metronome to Moderato?: Open this page and press Start: the metronome is already at 114 BPM, inside Moderato's 108–120 BPM. Nudge it with − and +, or tap along with a recording using Tap tempo to match a performance you like.