A vocal range chart is a quick way to compare the lowest and highest notes commonly associated with major singing voice categories.
The ranges below are broad reference ranges, not strict limits. Many voices overlap, and vocal range alone cannot determine your voice type.
Complete Vocal Range Chart
| Voice Type | Broad Reference Range | Approx. Frequency Range |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | E2–E4 | 82.41–329.63 Hz |
| Baritone | A2–A4 | 110.00–440.00 Hz |
| Tenor | C3–C5 | 130.81–523.25 Hz |
| Contralto | F3–F5 | 174.61–698.46 Hz |
| Mezzo-Soprano | A3–A5 | 220.00–880.00 Hz |
| Soprano | C4–C6 | 261.63–1046.50 Hz |
These ranges are commonly used reference points. Different teachers, repertoire traditions, and classification systems may use somewhat different boundaries.
For a deeper explanation of classification, see our Voice Types guide.
Male Vocal Range Chart
The three broad male classical voice categories are bass, baritone, and tenor.
| Voice Type | Broad Reference Range |
|---|---|
| Bass | E2–E4 |
| Baritone | A2–A4 |
| Tenor | C3–C5 |
Bass
Bass voices generally have the lowest tessitura of the common male categories.
A singer does not become a bass simply by reaching one low E2. Classification also depends on where the voice feels comfortable, stable, and useful across actual music.
Baritone
Baritone sits between bass and tenor.
Baritone ranges overlap heavily with both neighboring categories, so a singer may be able to sing many tenor or bass notes while still functioning most naturally as a baritone.
Tenor
Tenor is the highest of the common adult male classical categories.
Tenors generally have a higher comfortable center of gravity than baritones and basses, but the range boundaries are not rigid.
Female Vocal Range Chart
The three broad female classical voice categories are contralto, mezzo-soprano, and soprano.
| Voice Type | Broad Reference Range |
|---|---|
| Contralto | F3–F5 |
| Mezzo-Soprano | A3–A5 |
| Soprano | C4–C6 |
Contralto
Contralto is the lowest commonly recognized female classical voice category.
The term alto is often used differently. In choir, alto usually refers to a part rather than a precise solo voice classification. Many mezzo-sopranos and contraltos can sing alto parts.
Mezzo-Soprano
Mezzo-soprano lies between contralto and soprano.
Mezzo and soprano ranges can overlap significantly, which is why high and low notes alone are not enough to classify a voice.
Soprano
Soprano is the highest of the commonly recognized female classical categories.
A singer who can reach C6 is not automatically a soprano. The more useful question is whether the higher part of the voice is comfortable, stable, and suitable for sustained musical use.
How to Read the Notes on the Chart
The chart uses scientific pitch notation.
In this system:
- Middle C is C4
- A4 is the A above middle C
- A4 is commonly referenced at 440 Hz
- octave numbers change when you reach the next C
For example:
- C3 is one octave below middle C
- C4 is middle C
- C5 is one octave above middle C
- C6 is two octaves above middle C
This notation makes it easier to compare vocal ranges consistently.
If you want to see ranges visually on a keyboard, try the Octave Range Visualizer.
Why Vocal Ranges Overlap
The ranges in a vocal chart overlap because voice categories are not defined by fixed mathematical boundaries.
For example:
- a baritone and tenor may both sing A4
- a mezzo-soprano and soprano may both sing C5
- a bass and baritone may share many lower notes
- a contralto and mezzo-soprano may share much of their measurable range
This overlap is normal.
Two singers can produce the same lowest and highest notes but still have different voice types because they may differ in comfort, tessitura, tone, register behavior, and repertoire suitability.
Practical Range vs Extreme Notes
It helps to distinguish your practical singing range from every pitch you can produce once.
| Practical / Comfortable Range | Extended / Extreme Notes |
|---|---|
| Repeatable | May be occasional |
| Relatively controlled | May require special coordination |
| Musically usable | May not suit sustained phrases |
| Comfortable enough for regular use | May sit near the edge of the voice |
| More useful for choosing songs | Better treated separately when comparing ranges |
Extreme notes are not automatically invalid. A trained singer may use extended registers very consistently.
The important point is to identify what kind of range you are measuring.
A total possible range and a comfortable working range are not necessarily the same thing.
How to Compare Your Voice With the Chart
Use the chart as a reference rather than a diagnosis.
1. Find your lowest comfortable note
Move downward gradually and stop before the sound becomes forced, unstable, or uncomfortable.
2. Find your highest comfortable note
Move upward in the same way without shouting or forcing the voice.
3. Repeat the notes
A note that appears once may not represent your practical range.
Try to identify notes you can reproduce consistently.
4. Compare your range with the chart
Look for categories that overlap your measured range.
It is common to overlap more than one category.
5. Consider where your voice feels best
Your lowest and highest notes are only part of the picture.
Pay attention to:
- comfortable singing area
- endurance
- tone
- register transitions
- consistency
For a fuller method, see How to Find Your Vocal Range.
What the Chart Cannot Tell You
A chart can show approximate pitch boundaries, but it cannot fully tell you your voice type.
Voice classification may also consider:
Tessitura
Tessitura is the part of your range where your voice tends to function most comfortably and sustainably.
A singer may technically reach a note without wanting to spend much time singing there.
Timbre
Timbre describes the perceived tone quality of a voice.
Different singers can have similar ranges but noticeably different vocal characteristics.
Passaggio and Register Behavior
Classical classification may also consider how a singer moves through register-transition areas.
An online range chart cannot identify your complete passaggio pattern from low and high notes alone.
Vocal Weight and Repertoire
How light or substantial a voice tends to function, and the repertoire it can sing comfortably, may also matter in classical classification.
For a more detailed explanation, see Voice Types.
Using a Vocal Range Chart for Songs
A range chart can help you estimate whether a song sits near your available notes, but the song’s lowest and highest notes are not the whole story.
Also consider:
- where most of the melody sits
- repeated high notes
- long sustained notes
- register changes
- phrase length
- how often the song reaches its extremes
A song may technically fit inside your range while still feeling uncomfortable because its tessitura is too high or too low.
That is why your comfortable range is usually more useful for choosing repertoire than your absolute extremes.
Why Your Range May Change Between Tests
Your measured range may not be identical every time.
Possible influences include:
- fatigue
- illness
- warm-up
- recent voice use
- technique
- microphone quality
- background noise
- device processing
- testing method
Small differences do not necessarily mean something is wrong.
For more information, see Vocal Range Test Accuracy.
A Note About Countertenor
Countertenor is another important classical category associated with a high male singing range, often involving upper-register production.
It does not fit neatly into a simple six-category range chart because classification depends heavily on vocal production, repertoire, and training rather than a straightforward lowest-to-highest range comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the six common vocal ranges?
Broad reference ranges are bass E2–E4, baritone A2–A4, tenor C3–C5, contralto F3–F5, mezzo-soprano A3–A5, and soprano C4–C6.
What note is middle C?
Middle C is C4 in scientific pitch notation.
Do vocal ranges overlap?
Yes. Significant overlap between neighboring voice categories is normal.
Can a vocal range chart tell me my voice type?
Not by itself. A chart can show which categories your notes overlap, but tessitura, timbre, passaggi, comfort, and other factors may also matter.
Should I count falsetto or whistle notes?
You can include them when measuring total range, but it is useful to identify extended-register notes separately from your comfortable working range.
Is a three-octave vocal range good?
A three-octave measured range is relatively wide, but control and musical usefulness matter more than the number alone.
Why does my range not match one row exactly?
Because voice categories overlap and the chart uses broad reference ranges rather than fixed biological boundaries.
What is the best way to measure my range?
Use comfortable, repeatable notes and avoid forcing the highest or lowest sound possible. You can also use the site’s main vocal range calculator as a reference and compare the result with how your voice actually feels in practice.