Latin BPM Range

90 — 130 BPM

40 80 120 160 200+

Typical midpoint: 110 BPM (Moderato) — 545 ms per beat

About Latin Tempo

Latin music covers a wide spectrum but typically ranges from 90 to 130 BPM. From salsa to bachata, the genre family features rich rhythmic patterns rooted in Afro-Caribbean and Latin American traditions. Specific subgenre tempos: salsa anchors 90-110 BPM, bachata sits at 120-130, merengue pushes 130-160, and bossa nova relaxes at 80-110.

Characteristics

Complex rhythmic patterns with clave foundation
Rich percussion including congas, timbales, and bongos
Spanish-language vocals with melodic hooks
Dance-oriented arrangements

Latin Subgenre BPMs

Subgenre	BPM Range	Note
Salsa	90-110	Cuban/Puerto Rican roots, clave-based
Bachata	120-130	Dominican, romantic, guitar-led
Merengue	130-160	Dominican, fast, two-step rhythm
Bossa Nova	80-110	Brazilian, jazz-influenced, smooth
Cumbia	80-100	Colombian, accordion-driven, danceable

Example Latin Songs and Their BPMs

Song	Artist	BPM
Vivir Mi Vida	Marc Anthony	95
Obsesión	Aventura	124
Suavemente	Elvis Crespo	134
Garota de Ipanema	Stan Getz & João Gilberto	124

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 salsa start at 95 BPM and lock the clave first. Bachata works best at 124. Merengue thrives at 140-150 BPM.

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

Use the Tap Tempo Tool