BPM Chart by Genre
The definitive BPM reference. What tempo is hip-hop? Trap? House? Every genre, one chart.
Why BPM Matters
BPM (beats per minute) is the speed of your beat. It's the first decision you make when starting a new project — and it immediately defines the genre and energy. Choosing the wrong BPM is like writing a lullaby at 180 BPM.
Hip-Hop & Rap
• Boom Bap: 85-100 BPM (classic: 90-95) • Golden Age Hip-Hop: 85-100 BPM • Modern Hip-Hop: 75-95 BPM • Trap: 130-145 BPM (half-time feel = 65-72 actual) • UK Drill: 140-150 BPM • Chicago Drill: 130-140 BPM • Phonk: 130-140 BPM • Jersey Club: 130-140 BPM • Lo-Fi Hip-Hop: 60-85 BPM (sweet spot: 70-80)
Electronic & Dance
• House: 120-130 BPM (deep house: 120-124, tech house: 124-128) • Techno: 125-150 BPM (minimal: 125-135, hard: 140-150) • Drum & Bass: 160-180 BPM • Dubstep: 140-150 BPM (half-time = 70-75 actual) • Garage: 130-140 BPM • Trance: 130-145 BPM • Ambient: 60-90 BPM
Latin & Caribbean
• Reggaeton: 85-100 BPM (classic: 90-95) • Latin Trap: 70-85 BPM • Salsa: 150-250 BPM • Bachata: 120-140 BPM • Afrobeats: 100-115 BPM • Dancehall: 90-110 BPM • Amapiano: 110-120 BPM
R&B & Soul
• R&B: 65-80 BPM • Neo-Soul: 70-90 BPM • Modern R&B / PBR&B: 60-80 BPM • Funk: 100-130 BPM • Disco: 110-130 BPM
Rock & Pop
• Pop: 100-130 BPM • Rock: 110-140 BPM • Punk: 150-200 BPM • Metal: 100-180 BPM • Indie: 100-140 BPM
How to Choose Your BPM
1. Decide the genre and mood first 2. Look up the typical BPM range above 3. Start in the middle of the range 4. Adjust ±5 BPM to taste Remember: half-time and double-time can change the feel dramatically. A 140 BPM trap beat feels slow because the snare only hits every other bar. A 70 BPM R&B beat feels groovy because every element lands in a small space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Good. Genre boundaries are guidelines, not rules. Some of the best beats are genre-blending. Use the chart as a starting point, then follow your ear.
Yes. In Padwolf, changing BPM adjusts the playback speed of the step sequencer without affecting the samples themselves. Feel free to experiment with different tempos at any point.