Common Time Signatures and Tempos for Many Music Genres
Part of making a musical composition fit a particular genre is selecting a time signature and tempo that reflect the genre's musical feel. Common time signatures and beats per minute are listed in the chart below for many musical genres.
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The tempos noted in the first two charts are those used for official dance competitions.
Smooth/Ballroom Standard
| Dance | Time Signature | BPM |
| Foxtrot - American | 4/4 | 120-136 |
| Foxtrot - International | 4/4 | 112-120 |
| Quickstep - International | 4/4 | 192-208 |
| Tango - American & International | 4/4 | 120-132 |
| Two Step (County) | 4/4 | 168-200 |
| Viennese Waltz - American | 3/4 | 150-180 |
| Viennese Waltz - International | 3/4 | 150-180 |
| Waltz - American | 3/4 | 84-96 |
| Waltz - International | 3/4 | 84-93 |
| Waltz (Country) | 3/4 | 76-98 |
Rhythm/Latin
| Dance | Time Signature | BPM |
| Bolero - American | 4/4 | 96-104 |
| Cha cha - American & International | 4/4 | 112-128 |
| Cha cha (Country) | 4/4 | 96-118 |
| East Coast Swing - American | 4/4 | 136-144 |
| East Coast Swing - Country | 4/4 | 124-142 |
| Jive - International | 4/4 | 152-176 |
| Hustle | 4/4 | 104-121 |
| Mambo - American | 4/4 | 188-204 |
| Merengue | 4/4 | 58-64 |
| Night Club Two Step | 4/4 | 54-64 |
| Paso Doble - International | 4/4, 3/4, 6/8 | 112-124 |
| Polka | 2/4 | 104-124 |
| Rumba - American | 4/4 | 120-144 |
| Rumba - International | 4/4 | 96-112 |
| Salsa | 4/4 | 150-250 |
| Samba - American | 2/4 | 104 |
| Samba - International | 2/4 | 96-104 |
| Sway, Single or Triple | 4/4, 3/4 | 120 |
| West Coast Swing | 4/4 | 102-128 |
| Genre | Time Signature | BPM |
| Ballad | 4/4, 3/4, 6/8, 12/8 | 50-70 |
| Bluegrass | 4/4, 2/4, 6/8 | 60-130 |
| Celtic | 4/4, 2/2, 6/8 | 100-122 |
| Charleston | 4/4 | 200-290 |
| Chill-out | 4/4 | 90-120 |
| Country | 4/4 | 80-100 |
| Disco | 4/4 | 110-135 |
| Dixieland Jazz | 4/4, 2/4 | 90-120 |
| Down Tempo | 4/4 | 70-100 |
| Electro House | 4/4 | 125-130 |
| Elevator | 4/4, 3/4 | 69-150 |
| Funk | 4/4 | 90-110 |
| GoGo | 4/4 | 95-110 |
| Grunge | 6/8, 7/8, 9/8, 5/4 | 100-150 |
| Hip Hop | 4/4 | 80-110 |
| K-pop | 4/4 | 80-130 |
| Lullabies | 4/4 | 60-80 |
| Mariachi | 4/4 | 100-135 |
| Metal | 4/4 | 100-160 |
| Mid-tempo Jazz | 4/4 | 120-150 |
| Mid-tempo Rock | 4/4 | 80-110 |
| Pop | 4/4 | 90-130 |
| Punk | 4/4 | 120-170 |
| Rhythym and Blues | 4/4 | 110-120 |
| Reggae | 4/4 | 60-90 |
| Soul | 4/4 | 110-120 |
| Techno | 4/4 | 120-150 |
| Trance | 4/4 | 130-145 |
| Zydeco | 4/4, 3/4, 9/8 | 160-240 |
| March Type | Time Signature | BPM |
| Slow or Cermonial March | 2/4 | 60 |
| March | 2/4 | 120 |
| Quick Time March | 2/4 | 180 |
Classical Music Tempo Markings:
| Marking | BPM |
| Grave | 20-40 |
| Lento | 40-60 |
| Largo | 40-60 |
| Larghetto | 60-66 |
| Adagio | 66-76 |
| Andante | 76-108 |
| Moderato | 108-120 |
| Allegro | 120-156 |
| Vivace | 156-168 |
| Presto | 168-200 |
| Prestissimo | 200-208 |