Jazz BPM Range

80 — 160 BPM

40 80 120 160 200+

Typical midpoint: 120 BPM (Allegro) — 500 ms per beat

About Jazz Tempo

Jazz encompasses a huge tempo range from 80 to 160 BPM and beyond, depending on the style. Ballads may sit below 80 BPM while bebop can exceed 200 BPM. Improvisation and swing feel define the genre regardless of tempo. Classic jazz standards typically anchor around 120-140 BPM in medium swing, while ballads slow to 60-80 BPM and Latin jazz often pushes 130-160 BPM.

Characteristics

Swing rhythmic feel and syncopation
Improvisation as a core element
Complex harmonic progressions
Acoustic instrumentation with emphasis on expression

Jazz Subgenre BPMs

Subgenre	BPM Range	Note
Bebop	180-280	Fast, virtuosic, complex harmony
Cool Jazz	100-140	Relaxed, smooth, West Coast
Hard Bop	130-180	Soul and blues-influenced bebop
Latin Jazz	130-160	Afro-Cuban and Brazilian rhythmic foundations
Smooth Jazz	90-120	Polished, contemporary, radio-friendly

Example Jazz Songs and Their BPMs

Song	Artist	BPM
Take Five	Dave Brubeck	174
So What	Miles Davis	138
Giant Steps	John Coltrane	290
Blue in Green	Miles Davis	64

BPM values are approximate and may vary based on the version or remix. Use our tap tempo tool to verify any track.

Production Tip

For medium swing aim for 132 BPM. Use 65-67% triplet swing on hi-hats. Walking bass should hit every beat with passing tones between chord roots.

Want to check if your track matches the typical Jazz tempo?

Use the Tap Tempo Tool