Vocal Range Calculator
What is Vocal Range?
Your vocal range is the span from the lowest note you can sing to the highest note you can sing. It is usually measured in Octaves.
However, range isn't just about the extremes you can squeak out. A true vocal classification also considers your Tessitura—the range where your voice feels most comfortable and sounds the best.
The 6 Major Voice Types
Voice types are broken down into Male and Female categories, though there is overlap.
1. Bass (E2 - E4)
The lowest male voice. Deep, dark, and resonant. True basses are rare.
Famous Basses: Barry White, Johnny Cash.
2. Baritone (A2 - A4)
The most common male voice type. It sits between Bass and Tenor, offering power in the mid-range.
Famous Baritones: Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra.
3. Tenor (C3 - C5)
The highest standard male voice. Tenors can hit high notes with power (Belting).
Famous Tenors: Freddie Mercury, Bruno Mars.
4. Alto / Contralto (F3 - F5)
The lowest female voice. Rich, dark, and heavy tone.
Famous Altos: Adele, Cher, Amy Winehouse.
5. Mezzo-Soprano (A3 - A5)
The most common female voice type. Sitting between Alto and Soprano.
Famous Mezzos: Beyoncé, Lady Gaga.
6. Soprano (C4 - C6)
The highest female voice. Known for hitting the "High C" and beyond.
Famous Sopranos: Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande.
How to Find Your Range at Home
You don't need a piano teacher. Use a free piano app on your phone and follow these steps:
- Find Middle C (C4): This is the center of the keyboard.
- Go Down: Sing a scale downwards until you can no longer produce a clear tone. Note the key (e.g., G2).
- Go Up: Sing a scale upwards using your chest voice, then switch to head voice (falsetto is usually excluded from classical range but included in pop range). Note the highest comfortable note (e.g., C5).
- Input: Enter these two notes into our calculator above.
Some singers, like Mariah Carey, can sing way above a Soprano range into the "Whistle Register" (C6 to C7 or higher). These notes are often considered "Super Head Voice" and are not required for standard classification.
Can You Expand Your Range?
Yes, but there are biological limits. Your vocal cords are like rubber bands; their length and thickness determine your natural pitch.
- Training Low Notes: Very difficult. You can usually only gain 1 or 2 semitones downward through relaxation.
- Training High Notes: Easier. With proper technique (breath support, mixed voice), most singers can add an entire octave to their upper range.
Range Frequency Chart
| Note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|
| C2 (Low Bass) | 65.41 Hz |
| C3 (Low Tenor) | 130.81 Hz |
| C4 (Middle C) | 261.63 Hz |
| A4 (Concert Pitch) | 440.00 Hz |
| C5 (High Tenor C) | 523.25 Hz |
| C6 (Soprano C) | 1046.50 Hz |