Allegretto — Moderately fast, slightly slower than allegro (112–120 BPM)
Allegretto means 'a little lively' — moderately fast but lighter and less urgent than allegro. It has a graceful, pleasant character that sits between the comfort of moderato and the energy of allegro. Beethoven's famous Allegretto from his Seventh Symphony demonstrates how this tempo can carry tremendous emotional depth.
Etymology
Italian, diminutive of 'allegro', literally 'a little lively'
BPM Range
Minimum: 112 BPM
Maximum: 120 BPM
Typical: 116 BPM
Allegretto should feel light and graceful, with forward motion but without the drive of allegro. Focus on elegance and clarity rather than speed.
Example Pieces
- Symphony No. 7, 2nd movement (Allegretto) — Ludwig van Beethoven
- Symphony No. 3, 3rd movement (Allegretto grazioso) — Johannes Brahms
- String Quartet No. 1, 3rd movement (Allegretto pizzicato) — Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Common Genres
Related Tempo Markings
Frequently Asked Questions
Is allegretto faster or slower than allegro?
Allegretto is slower than allegro. The '-etto' diminutive suffix means 'a little,' making allegretto 'a little lively' — moderately fast rather than fully fast.
What BPM is allegretto?
Allegretto is typically 112-120 BPM, sitting between moderato and allegro. It has a graceful, light character.
Related References
Try It on the Metronome
Hear and feel this tempo with our free browser-based metronome — no download required.
Open Free MetronomeWant the complete experience?
Tunable's built-in metronome adds tap tempo, subdivisions, multi-device sync, practice scoring, and recording — all on your phone.
