How to Dance Salsa: Step-by-Step Beginner’s Tutorial

A pro dance instructor shares how to salsa step to the music!

Co-authored by Jean Franco Vergaray and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: August 20, 2025 Fact Checked

Salsa is a rhythmic Latin dance with origins in Cuban culture. Salsa dancers move their feet to the beat of the music and are influenced by the movements of the cha-cha, mambo, and African dance styles. But how do you do the salsa? We compiled the basic steps to help you get started! Keep reading to learn how to do the basic footwork of salsa with the advice of professional dance instructor Jean Franco Vergaray.

Salsa Steps: The Basics

According to dance instructor Jean Franco Vergaray, a basic step in salsa is all about stepping forward and back while shifting your weight. Step forward with your left foot first, then bring your right foot to join the left. Then, step again with your left foot, shifting your weight forward again.

1

Listen to your chosen music to hear the beat.

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In salsa music, there are 4 beats per measure. The basic salsa dance step uses 2 measures of music, or 8 beats total, explains Vergaray.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Jean Franco Vergaray
Professional Dance Instructor

Expert Interview} Understanding the beats before you start dancing can help you get a feel for the rhythm of the dance.
- If you’re just learning how to salsa, pick music that has a slower beat and accented percussion. Some good starter songs include “Slow Salsa” by Jimmy Bosch, “Cuera Maraca y Bong” by Los Nemus, “Cosas Nativas” by Frankie Ruiz, and “Yamulemau” by Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz.
- Vergaray recommends really listening to the music. Try to feel the emotion of the song so it fuels your dance.^{[2]
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  Jean Franco Vergaray
  Professional Dance Instructor
  
  Expert Interview}
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Jean Franco Vergaray is a Professional Dance Instructor who specializes in salsa dancing. Vergaray has over 13 years of dancing experience and 8 years of instruction experience.

2

Clap with the music to find the rhythm of the steps.

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The basic salsa step uses 8 beats, but you don’t step on all of the beats. Your feet move on beats 1, 2, and 3, with a pause on beat 4. You step again on beats 5, 6, and 7, pausing on beat 8. Clapping while you step along can help you find the dance’s rhythm.^{[3]
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- The rhythm will be: clap-clap-clap-pause, clap-clap-clap-pause. Repeat this rhythm throughout an entire song.
- If you don’t feel like clapping, Vergaray suggests tapping your foot or nodding your head along with the beat.^{[4]
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  Jean Franco Vergaray
  Professional Dance Instructor
  
  Expert Interview}

3

Mark the positions of the steps on the floor.

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Place numbered cards on the floor to help you learn where to step. In a basic salsa step, there are 4 places where you’ll step or place your feet. Mark these positions as follows with a numbered card or sheet of paper:
- Number 1 is your starting position; place it in the middle of the room.
- Place Number 2 about 1 foot (30 cm) in front of Number 1.
- Place Number 3 about 1 foot (30 cm) behind Number 1.
- Place Number 4 about 1 foot (30 cm) behind Number 3.
- Not every salsa instructor will have you do this, but that’s what makes our tutorial different! Learning with place cards isn’t necessary, but it can make it that much easier.

4

Place both feet on Number 1.

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Number 1 is your starting position, so stand on this number while you play your music and wait to start dancing. Once you’re ready to begin, move to the next step.^{[5]
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5

Bring your left foot to Number 2 on beat 1.

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Step forward to position 2 with your left foot on the first beat. When the first beat of the music drops, bring your left foot to the Number 2 card. Your right foot remains on Number 1. In salsa, you’ll alternate which foot you step with for each beat.^{[6]
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- Vergaray says it doesn’t matter which foot you start with first!^{[7]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Jean Franco Vergaray
  Professional Dance Instructor
  
  Expert Interview} But for this tutorial, we’ll start with the left.
Enjoying this article? Download wikiHow's Salsa Dancing Guide.

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6

Rock back on your right foot on beat 2.

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Shift your weight from front to back when the second beat drops. Bring your weight back onto your right foot while keeping your left foot on Number 2. Vergaray says that shifting your weight is the most important part of doing salsa.^{[8]
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Jean Franco Vergaray
Professional Dance Instructor

Expert Interview}
- Try swinging your hips slightly, as Vergaray notes that this helps accentuate the movement and add more flair to your dance.^{[9]
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7

Bring your left foot to Number 3 on beat 3.

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Keeping your weight on the ball of your foot, step backwards with your left foot until you’re on Number 3. Leave your right foot on Number 1.^{[10]
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8

Rock onto your left heel on beat 4.

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Vergaray instructs not to move your feet during beat 4.^{[11]
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Jean Franco Vergaray
Professional Dance Instructor

Expert Interview} Instead, rock your weight to your heel to distribute your weight.

9

Place your right foot on Number 4 on beat 5.

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Move your right foot from Number 1 to Number 4 on the 5th beat, keeping your left foot on Number 3.^{[12]
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10

Rock forward on your left foot on beat 6.

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With your left foot now forward on Number 3 and your right foot behind on Number 4, rock forward to bring your weight onto your left foot. And remember what Vergaray says: Swing those hips!^{[13]
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Jean Franco Vergaray
Professional Dance Instructor

Expert Interview}

11

Bring your right foot up to Number 1 on beat 7.

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While keeping your weight on the ball of your foot, bring your right foot forward to Number 1. Leave your left foot on Number 3.^{[14]
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12

Balance your weight on beat 8.

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Keep your feet planted where they are on Beat 8. Vergaray advises avoiding moving your feet on the last count.^{[15]
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Jean Franco Vergaray
Professional Dance Instructor

Expert Interview} Instead, distribute your weight evenly, like you’re just standing. And that’s it! You’ve completed a full round of the basic step in salsa.
- To continue the dance, continue Beats 1 through 8 until the song ends.
- As you get more familiar with the steps, you can use your hips and arms to accentuate the movement and add style to your salsa.
- Ready to step up your salsa game? Check out our “How to Dance Salsa” article for more dance variations.

What Are the Most Common Mistakes People Make When Dancing Salsa?

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What are the steps to salsa dance?

Jean Franco Vergaray
Professional Dance Instructor
Jean Franco Vergaray is a dancer specializing in salsa dancing. Jean Franco was also formerly the owner of Salsa In Queens, a community, dance-oriented studio for beginners and experienced dancers alike, based in Queens, New York City. He has over 13 years of dancing experience and over eight years of dance instruction experience.

Jean Franco Vergaray

Professional Dance Instructor

Expert Answer

The basic salsa steps are: start with both feet together, step forward with your left foot, shift your weight to your right foot, step backward with your left foot, then pause. Then, reverse the actions and use your right foot. Step backward with your right foot, shift your weight, step forward, then pause. Repeat to keep the dance going.

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Why is there is a pause on 4th & 8th count?

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It is done to give salsa a rhythmic feel of slow, quick, slow, – slow, quick, slow.

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What does the salsa have to do with the color red?

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The color red is associated with passion! Salsa dancing, as all Latin dances, is a passionate dance.

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Tips

Master the steps by yourself before attempting to dance with a partner.

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Typical salsa music has a fast beat around 150 to 225 beats per minute (BPM).

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Practice the steps without music to memorize the movements.

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