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Genre Guides

Music Genre Tree

A visual classification of electronic music genres and how they branch into sub-genres. Each genre shows its BPM range and key characteristics. Use this chart to understand genre relationships and find new styles to explore.

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203
total entries
29
parent families
174
sub-genres
60–350
BPM span

House

115–132BPM

The foundation of electronic dance music, born in Chicago in the early 1980s. Characterized by a steady four-on-the-floor kick drum pattern, synthesized basslines, and soulful vocals.

Four-on-the-floor kickSynth basslinesSoulful vocalsOffbeat hi-hats
31 sub-genres
scale: 95–155 BPM
Tropical House100–118
Slap House110–125
Outsider House115–128
Lo-Fi House115–125
Chicago House118–128
Deep House118–125
Disco House118–126
Italo House118–128
Organic House115–124
Melodic House118–126
French House118–128
Soulful House120–128
Brazilian Bass120–128
Microhouse120–128
Afro House120–128
Acid House120–130
Funky House122–128
Garage House122–128
Latin House122–128
Afro-Tech122–128
Tech House124–128
Future House124–128
G-House124–128
Jackin' House124–128
Tribal House124–130
Progressive House126–132
Electro House126–132
Bass House124–130
Big Room House126–132
Ghetto House130–150
Hard House140–150

Techno

130–150BPM

Originated in Detroit in the mid-1980s. Driven by repetitive, mechanical rhythms and futuristic synth textures. Designed for dark, immersive dancefloors.

Repetitive rhythmsMechanical feelDark atmosphereFuturistic synths
16 sub-genres
scale: 95–165 BPM
Ambient Techno100–130
Bleep Techno120–130
Melodic Techno122–132
Dub Techno120–135
Minimal Techno125–135
Broken Techno125–138
Tribal Techno130–138
Detroit Techno128–140
Birmingham Techno130–142
Peak Time Techno132–140
Raw Techno130–142
Hypnotic Techno130–142
Acid Techno130–145
Industrial Techno135–150
Hard Techno145–160
Schranz145–160

Electro

110–135BPM

True electro: the funky, robotic style descended from Kraftwerk and Afrika Bambaataa. Built on TR-808 syncopation rather than four-on-the-floor. Distinct from 'electro house'.

TR-808 syncopationRobotic vocalsFunky breakbeatsSci-fi mood
7 sub-genres
scale: 70–160 BPM
Skweee80–110
Electrofunk110–130
Electroclash118–130
Detroit Electro120–135
Miami Bass120–145
Baile Funk130–150
Kuduro130–150

Trance

128–150BPM

Hypnotic melodies, euphoric builds, and extended breakdowns. Designed to induce a trance-like state through repetition and emotional progression.

Euphoric melodiesExtended buildsArpeggiated synthsEmotional peaks
21 sub-genres
scale: 110–230 BPM
Balearic Trance118–128
Progressive Trance128–136
Zenonesque126–140
Dream Trance130–140
Progressive Psytrance130–140
Uplifting Trance136–142
Vocal Trance132–140
Tech Trance135–145
Acid Trance135–145
Orchestral Uplifting138–142
Psybreaks130–150
Hard Trance140–150
Psytrance140–150
Goa Trance140–150
Full-On Psytrance140–148
Forest / Dark Psytrance145–160
Twilight Psytrance144–156
Nitzhonot145–155
Suomisaundi140–160
Darkpsy148–160
Hi-Tech Psytrance170–220

Drum & Bass

160–180BPM

Fast breakbeats and heavy sub-bass. Originated in the UK rave scene of the early 1990s. Energetic and bass-heavy.

Fast breakbeatsHeavy sub-bassComplex drum patternsAmen break
16 sub-genres
scale: 135–205 BPM
Drumstep140–150
Autonomic160–172
Jungle160–180
Ragga Jungle160–180
Atmospheric D&B165–175
Minimal D&B168–176
Deep DnB168–176
Liquid D&B170–178
Neurofunk170–178
Techstep168–178
Jump Up170–178
Darkstep170–180
Halftime170–180
Drumfunk170–178
Sambass170–180
Crossbreed175–200

Footwork

155–165BPM

Chicago dance-battle music descending from juke and ghetto house. Triplet kicks, chopped vocal samples, and 160 BPM intensity. RP Boo, DJ Rashad, Traxman.

Triplet kicksChopped vocalsChicago originDance-battle music
1 sub-genre
scale: 150–170 BPM
Juke155–165

Dubstep

138–142BPM

Heavy wobble bass, syncopated rhythms, and sparse arrangements at half-time feel. Originated in South London.

Wobble bassHalf-time feelSyncopated rhythmsSub-bass emphasis
11 sub-genres
scale: 125–155 BPM
Future Garage130–140
Post-Dubstep130–140
Wonky130–140
Deep Dubstep138–142
Melodic Dubstep138–150
140 / Deep Bass138–142
Chillstep138–142
Grime135–145
Brostep140–150
Riddim140–150
Tearout Dubstep140–150

Future Bass

130–160BPM

Bright, melodic, supersaw-led bass music. Flume, Illenium, San Holo, Louis The Child. Stutter chords, vocal chops, and emotional drops.

Supersaw stabsVocal chopsBright melodiesStuttered chords
3 sub-genres
scale: 95–165 BPM
Glitch Hop100–115
Color Bass140–150
Kawaii Future Bass140–160

Trap (EDM)

130–150BPM

Festival/EDM trap: rolling 808 sub-bass, snare rolls, and hip-hop drum DNA at 140 BPM. RL Grime, Flosstradamus, Baauer, Diplo. Distinct from rap trap.

808 sub-bassSnare rolls140 BPMFestival-built
6 sub-genres
scale: 120–210 BPM
Trapwave130–150
Hard Trap140–150
Festival Trap140–150
Hybrid Trap140–150
Hyperpop140–200
Digicore130–180

Phonk

110–150BPM

Memphis rap–rooted bass music: distorted 808s, cowbells, chopped vocals. Massively revived in the 2020s through TikTok and drift culture.

Distorted 808CowbellsMemphis samplesCassette grain
4 sub-genres
scale: 60–175 BPM
Memphis Phonk70–90
House Phonk130–145
Brazilian Phonk130–150
Drift Phonk140–165

Midtempo

100–126BPM

Current club-scene Midtempo centers on bouncy midtempo: deep resonant basslines, dark-disco and indie-dance textures, slow-tech bounce, and enough groove to work before or after tech house. Older bass-scene usage also covers Rezz-style midtempo bass.

Bouncy basslinesDark disco / indie danceDeep resonant low endSlow-tech groove
5 sub-genres
scale: 85–130 BPM
Cinematic Midtempo90–110
Phonkstep / Phonk Midtempo100–115
Midtempo Bass100–115
Industrial Midtempo100–115
Bouncy Midtempo110–126

Wave

70–90BPM

Half-time, emotive, witch-house-adjacent bass music. Sidewalks and Skeletons, BL▲CK † CEILING, Klimeks, Skit. Programmed at 140-160 with a 70-80 BPM perceived feel.

Half-time trap drumsAmbient padsMinor-key emotionWitch-house lineage

Breakbeat

120–140BPM

Syncopated, non-four-on-the-floor drum patterns. Funky, energetic, and sample-heavy.

Broken beatsSyncopated patternsFunky groovesSample-heavy
5 sub-genres
scale: 100–190 BPM
Big Beat110–140
Nu-Skool Breaks125–135
Progressive Breaks128–138
Florida Breaks130–140
Dariacore150–180

UK Garage

128–135BPM

Shuffled rhythms, pitched-up vocals, and a swinging groove. The sound of late-90s London nightlife.

Shuffled beatsPitched vocalsSwinging groove2-step rhythm
4 sub-genres
scale: 120–150 BPM
UK Funky128–135
2-Step Garage128–135
Speed Garage130–140
Bassline / Niche134–142

Hardcore

160–200BPM

Fast, aggressive, and intense. Distorted kicks, rapid tempos, and unrelenting energy.

Distorted kicksRapid tempoAggressive energyGabber influence
10 sub-genres
scale: 130–370 BPM
Early Hardcore150–165
Happy Hardcore160–180
Mainstream Hardcore150–180
UK Hardcore170–185
Gabber160–200
Breakcore160–220
Industrial Hardcore175–200
Frenchcore200–220
Terrorcore200–300
Speedcore250–350

Hardstyle

150–160BPM

Hard-hitting reverse bass kicks, euphoric melodies, and crowd-engaging energy. Massive in the Netherlands festival scene.

Reverse bassEuphoric melodiesHard kicksFestival anthems
8 sub-genres
scale: 135–205 BPM
Nu-Style Hardstyle140–150
Dubstyle140–150
Euphoric Hardstyle150–155
Reverse Bass150–155
Psystyle140–155
Rawstyle150–160
Xtra Raw150–165
Uptempo Hardcore165–200

Moombahton

100–115BPM

Reggaeton-house hybrid invented by Dave Nada in 2009. Pitched-down house at 108 BPM with reggaeton dembow rhythm. Diplo, Munchi, Major Lazer.

Dembow rhythm108 BPMReggaeton DNAHouse origin
3 sub-genres
scale: 80–135 BPM
Reggaeton85–100
Moombahcore110–130
Dembow110–130

Amapiano

108–118BPM

South African house sub-genre defined by deep log drums, jazzy keys, and slow groove. Massive global movement since 2019. Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, Focalistic.

Log drum bassJazzy keysSlow grooveSouth African
2 sub-genres
scale: 90–125 BPM
Kwaito95–112
Afrobeats100–115

Gqom

120–130BPM

Raw, dark Durban house variant: minimalist, percussion-led, often without melody. DJ Lag, Citizen Boy, Rudeboyz. South African underground export.

Dark atmosphereStripped percussionDurban originMinimal melody

Nu-Disco

100–125BPM

Modern disco revival with house DNA. Live-feel basslines, strings, and four-on-the-floor warmth. Todd Terje, Daft Punk's RAM, Lindstrøm.

Live bass feelDisco stringsHouse tempoModern revival
6 sub-genres
scale: 95–155 BPM
Boogie105–120
Disco100–130
Italo Disco110–130
Future Funk110–130
Hi-NRG130–150
Eurodance130–145

Synthwave

80–115BPM

80s-inspired retro electronica: gated reverb drums, FM-synth pads, neon nostalgia. Kavinsky's Drive soundtrack era. The Midnight, FM-84.

80s synthsGated reverb drumsNeon nostalgiaDrive aesthetic
4 sub-genres
scale: 50–140 BPM
Vaporwave60–90
Chillwave80–110
Outrun80–115
Darksynth90–130

IDM

90–160BPM

Intelligent Dance Music: the cerebral, listening-focused branch of electronic. Aphex Twin, Autechre, Squarepusher, μ-Ziq. Warp Records' Artificial Intelligence series defined the term.

Complex programmingListening focusWarp aestheticCerebral
4 sub-genres
scale: 50–190 BPM
Ambient IDM60–100
Glitch100–150
Braindance90–160
Drill 'n' Bass150–180

EBM

110–140BPM

Electronic Body Music: Belgian/German industrial-techno predecessor. Front 242, Nitzer Ebb, DAF. Sequenced bass, militant chants, factory aesthetics.

Sequenced bassMilitant chantsBelgian/German originIndustrial DNA
2 sub-genres
scale: 95–155 BPM
Industrial100–140
Aggrotech130–150

Ambient

60–120BPM

Atmospheric, textural music designed for deep listening. Gentle pads, field recordings, and evolving soundscapes. Often beatless or with very subtle rhythms. Brian Eno, Stars of the Lid.

Atmospheric padsField recordingsEvolving texturesMeditative
2 sub-genres
scale: 55–125 BPM
Drone60–80
Dark Ambient60–80

Downtempo

80–115BPM

Relaxed electronic beats with warm textures. Perfect for chill-out rooms, opening sets, and afternoon listening.

Relaxed beatsWarm texturesTrip-hop influenceChill vibes
3 sub-genres
scale: 55–120 BPM
Chillhop70–95
Psybient60–110
Chillout / Lounge80–105

Trip-Hop

70–100BPM

Bristol-born downtempo with hip-hop drums, dub bass, and cinematic atmosphere. Massive Attack, Portishead, Tricky, Morcheeba.

Hip-hop drumsDub bassBristol originCinematic mood

Jersey Club

130–145BPM

Rapid-fire kicks, bed-squeaking samples, and chopped vocals from Newark, NJ. High energy and sample-driven. DJ Sliink, UNIIQU3, Brick Bandits crew.

Rapid kicksChopped vocalsBed-squeak sampleNewark scene

Baltimore Club

130–140BPM

Baltimore's regional club music: 8/4 kick patterns, breakbeat samples, call-and-response vocals. DJ Class, Rod Lee, Scottie B. Predates Jersey Club.

8/4 kick patternSample-heavyBaltimore originCall-and-response

Philly Club

130–145BPM

Philadelphia's club-music variant: bridges Jersey Club energy with Philly hip-hop heritage. Chopped vocals, hard kicks.

Hard kicksChopped vocalsPhilly originHip-hop crossover

How Electronic Music Genres Evolved

Electronic dance music traces its roots to the late 1970s and early 1980s. House music emerged from Chicago's club scene, evolving from disco. Techno was born in Detroit, inspired by Kraftwerk, Parliament-Funkadelic, and Italo disco. These two genres became the foundation for most modern EDM.

The UK rave scene of the early 1990s produced several new branches: jungle and drum and bass from sped-up breakbeats, UK garage from house with a shuffled rhythm, and dubstep from the intersection of garage, dub, and grime. Meanwhile, trance developed in Germany and the Netherlands as a more melodic, euphoric evolution of techno.

Each parent genre continued to splinter as producers explored different tempos, sound palettes, and cultural influences. Today, the genre tree is constantly growing as new sub-genres emerge when artists blend existing styles in novel ways.

Mixing Across Genre Families

  • House ↔ Techno, tech house (124–128 BPM) and melodic techno (122–132 BPM) bridge these families naturally
  • Techno ↔ Trance, tech trance (135–145 BPM) merges driving techno percussion with trance melodies
  • Dubstep ↔ D&B, halftime D&B and drumstep bridge the tempo gap between 140 and 174 BPM
  • Techno ↔ Hardstyle, hard techno (145–160 BPM) overlaps with hardstyle's lower range
  • House ↔ Breakbeat, both sit around 120–140 BPM, differing mainly in drum pattern (four-on-the-floor vs broken beats)

Use our halftime/doubletime calculator to find mathematical tempo relationships between genres, or check the EDM genre chart for a BPM-focused comparison.

Ben Modigell

Hey, it's Ben Modigell 👋

I've been DJing and producing music as "so I so," focusing on downtempo, minimal, dub house, tech house, and techno. My background in digital marketing, web development, and UX design over the past 6 years helps me create DJ tutorials that are clear, practical, and easy to follow.

DJingMusic ProductionTech HouseMinimal HouseDigital MarketingWeb DevelopmentUX Design

Author and Methodology

Maintained by Ben Modigell

Ben is the founder of Vibes and builds DJ library, preparation, BPM, and harmonic-mixing tools for working DJs.

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Source: Vibes DJ-tool taxonomy and page logic maintained by Vibes.

How this page is made: Tool pages are built from reusable page logic, internal DJ reference data, and visible on-page calculations. Programmatic reference pages are generated from structured data rather than hand-written one by one.

BPM, key, and genre labels can vary by edit, remaster, detection engine, and DJ software. Use these pages as a practical mixing reference, then verify important tracks in your own library.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Electronic music genres are typically classified by tempo (BPM), rhythmic pattern (four-on-the-floor vs breakbeat), sound design (bass-heavy vs melodic), and cultural origin. Parent genres like house, techno, and trance each spawned sub-genres that emphasize different combinations of these traits.
There's no definitive count. Estimates range from 50 to 300+ depending on how granularly you split sub-genres. The major parent genres are house, techno, trance, drum and bass, dubstep, breakbeat, ambient, and hardcore. Each has multiple sub-genres. This chart covers the most widely recognized ones.
EDM (Electronic Dance Music) specifically refers to electronic music designed for dancing, including genres like house, techno, trance, and dubstep. 'Electronic music' is a broader term that also includes non-dance genres like ambient, IDM, and experimental electronic. In common usage, EDM often refers to the festival-oriented, commercially popular end of the spectrum.
Most EDM genres evolved from earlier styles. House came from disco, techno from Kraftwerk and funk, drum and bass from jungle and hardcore. Sub-genres form when producers take a parent genre's core elements and emphasize one aspect; for example, deep house emphasizes atmosphere over energy, while electro house emphasizes aggression.

Related Tools

EDM Genre Chart

Interactive genre tree with BPM ranges

House Music BPM Guide

BPM ranges for house music and all sub-genres

Techno BPM Guide

BPM ranges for techno and all sub-genres

Drum & Bass BPM Guide

BPM ranges for drum and bass and all sub-genres

Trance BPM Guide

BPM ranges for trance and all sub-genres

Dubstep BPM Guide

BPM ranges for dubstep and all sub-genres

Hardstyle BPM Guide

BPM ranges for hardstyle and all sub-genres