NDCA Approved Tempi

Sources:

National Dance Council of America (NDCA) Tempo Standards.

Two Left Feet (TLF) Dance Club.

Notes:

1. NDCA American Dance Tempo is the reference used.

2. Beats Per Minute (BPM) are set with a Metronome.

3. Optimum range is based on TLF Club preferences.

Dance Type And Tempo Range:

Bolero- Range is 96-104 BPM; 96 BPM is optimum. 

Cha Cha- 120 BPM; 116-124 BPM is optimum range. 

Cumbia- Not in Standard *; 88 BPM is optimum.

Foxtrot- Range is 128-136 BPM; 120-128 BPM is optimum. 

Hustle- Range is 112-120 BPM; 120 BPM is optimum. 

Mambo- Range is 192-204 BPM; 184-192 preferred, 188 BPM is optimum. 

Merengué- Range is 58-64 BPM. 

Paso Doble'- Range is 116-120 BPM; 120 BPM is optimum. 

Polka- Range is 120-124 BPM. 

Peabody - Range is 240-248 BPM. 

Rumba- Range is 128-144 BPM; 104 - 124 preferred, 112 BPM is optimum. 

Salsa- Not in Standard *; 192-200 BPM is optimum range. 

Samba- 104 BPM; 96-104 BPM is optimum range. 

Swing- Range is 136-144 BPM;140 BPM is optimum. 

Tango- Range is 120-128 BPM; 124 BPM is optimum. 

Viennese Waltz- 162 BPM; 159-171 BPM is optimum range. 

Waltz-  Range is 90-96 BPM; 90 BPM is optimum. 

West Coast Swing- Range is 112-128 BPM.