The six voice types on one chart
| Voice type | Typical range | Usual choir part |
|---|---|---|
| Soprano | about C4–C6 | Soprano |
| Mezzo-soprano | about A3–A5 | Soprano II / Alto I |
| Contralto | about F3–F5 | Alto (lowest notes) |
| Tenor | about C3–C5 | Tenor |
| Baritone | about A2–A4 | Bass I / Tenor II |
| Bass | about E2–E4 | Bass |
The bars show reference spans, not the notes that every singer must possess. A beginner may have a smaller usable range; a trained singer may extend beyond either endpoint. Classification systems and repertoire give slightly different numbers, so every range here means “about”.
For the broader explanation of tessitura, registers and voice classification, read all six vocal ranges. This page focuses on reading the chart and understanding its overlaps.
How to read note names
The letter names the note and the number names its octave. C4 is middle C; C3 is the C one octave below it; C5 is one octave above it. As you move to the right on the chart, the pitch rises. Moving from one C marker to the next covers twelve semitones, or one octave.
The octave number changes at C. B3 is immediately below C4, while A4 is above middle C. That is why the A below middle C is A3, not A4. This detail matters when you copy notes from a tuner or compare them with a score.
- C4: middle C, approximately 262 Hz.
- C5: one octave above middle C, approximately 523 Hz; a tenor’s high C.
- C6: two octaves above middle C, approximately 1,047 Hz; a soprano’s high C.
The two high Cs are different pitches. Tenor scores may also use a treble clef with a small 8 underneath, meaning the notes sound an octave lower than written. See the tenor vocal range guide before comparing a written part with a microphone result.
Female vocal range chart
The conventional female categories run from contralto through mezzo-soprano to soprano. Their comfortable centres differ, but many notes are shared. A mezzo who reaches C6 is not automatically a soprano, and a soprano with a usable A3 does not automatically become a mezzo.
Alto is a choir part, commonly referenced around F3–F5. It is not an extra female voice type on this chart. Mezzo-sopranos, contraltos and countertenors can all sing alto writing, depending on the part and performer.
Male vocal range chart
The standard male categories run from bass through baritone to tenor. A baritone’s upper notes may overlap a tenor’s lower and middle notes. Listen to the tone and the effort of a repeated phrase rather than choosing a label from one extreme.
Countertenors are often included in a seven-type chart. Our comparison convention gives them about E3–E5, using a developed upper register. They are shown in some individual guides, but are separate from the six core categories used in this table.
Where the ranges overlap
| Neighbouring voices | Shared reference span |
|---|---|
| Soprano / Mezzo-soprano | C4–A5 |
| Mezzo-soprano / Contralto | A3–F5 |
| Tenor / Baritone | C3–A4 |
| Baritone / Bass | A2–E4 |
These shared spans explain why a chart cannot settle your voice type. A soprano and mezzo may sing the same note while finding different phrases comfortable. A bass and baritone may share an E2, but differ in how consistently and clearly the lower phrases carry.
Tessitura is the region where your voice works comfortably over a phrase or whole piece. It is different from the total span between your lowest and highest notes. The chart shows range; your comfortable phrases help identify tessitura. Neither one should be replaced with the note you happened to hit once.
Put your own result on the chart
- Warm up gently, then open the vocal range test in a quiet room.
- Sing down from a comfortable note. Keep the lowest pitch you can hold steadily for about two seconds.
- Sing upward without forcing. Record the highest steady, comfortable note, and note which register you used.
- Compare both endpoints with the chart, then sing a short phrase in several nearby keys to find your comfortable middle.
For example, A2–A4 matches the reference baritone bar, but that measurement alone does not prove a baritone voice. The tool’s closest match is a starting point for exploring repertoire. A voice teacher also listens to tone, register transitions and vocal weight.
When choosing a song, check more than whether its lowest and highest notes fit. A piece that repeatedly sits near your top may be tiring even when every individual note is available. Changing the key can make the whole melody comfortable without changing your voice type.
Four, six or seven voice types?
Four-part SATB choirs use soprano, alto, tenor and bass. Six-type classical teaching adds mezzo-soprano and baritone, using contralto for the low female voice. Seven-type lists commonly add countertenor. These systems answer different questions: which part to sing, or how to describe a solo voice.
Our chart keeps the six core categories together and uses the same reference data as the range test and individual guides. A choir may put a baritone on bass or a mezzo on alto; that practical assignment need not change the singer’s solo classification.
Frequently asked questions
A few things to know before you sing.
What is a vocal range chart?
It compares the typical note spans of different voices on one pitch scale. It shows overlaps and approximate reference ranges, not an exact classification of every singer.
Does my range have to match one bar exactly?
No. Individual voices vary and neighbouring types overlap. Your comfortable tessitura, tone and register transitions matter alongside the two endpoints.
How many octaves are the ranges on this chart?
Each of the six reference spans covers two octaves. That is a chart convention, not a minimum requirement for every singer or a limit on a trained voice.
Is alto missing from the six-type chart?
Alto is a choir part, while contralto is a voice type. Alto writing can be sung by mezzo-sopranos, contraltos and countertenors; the six-type chart classifies solo voices.
Can the chart tell me which songs to sing?
It is a starting point. Check the song’s actual key, required notes and tessitura, and transpose when needed. A melody that stays near your range’s edge may be difficult even if each note is reachable.
Explore each voice
- Soprano vocal range — about C4–C6
- Mezzo-soprano vocal range — about A3–A5
- Contralto vocal range — about F3–F5
- Tenor vocal range — about C3–C5
- Baritone vocal range — about A2–A4
- Bass vocal range — about E2–E4
- Alto vocal range and choir placement
Sources & range conventions
All bars use approximate classical reference spans. Figures vary between sources and repertoire; they are not universal limits.