Vocal Range Chart: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Note Ranges
A vocal range chart lists the typical notes of each voice type. Soprano is about C4 to C6, mezzo-soprano A3 to A5, alto F3 to F5, tenor C3 to C5, baritone A2 to A4 and bass E2 to E4. Each spans about two octaves, the ranges overlap, and sources differ slightly.
What are the vocal ranges of each voice type?
The chart shows the typical range of each voice type in bold bars and the extremes in lighter bars. Click a name for the full guide.
- Soprano C4–C6
- Mezzo-soprano A3–A5
- Alto (contralto) F3–F5
- Tenor C3–C5
- Bass E2–E4
typical range extremes. Scale: C2 to C7. Middle C is C4.
What notes, MIDI numbers and frequencies are these?
Notes are named with an octave number, so C4 is middle C (261.6 Hz). MIDI numbers count semitones, with C4 = 60 and A4 = 69 (440 Hz). Frequencies are calculated in equal temperament.
| Voice type | Typical range | MIDI | Hz | Extremes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soprano | C4–C6 | 60–84 | 261.6–1046.5 | A3–F6 |
| Mezzo-soprano | A3–A5 | 57–81 | 220.0–880.0 | F3–C6 |
| Alto (contralto) | F3–F5 | 53–77 | 174.6–698.5 | D3–A#5 |
| Tenor | C3–C5 | 48–72 | 130.8–523.3 | A#2–F5 |
| Baritone | A2–A4 | 45–69 | 110.0–440.0 | F2–C5 |
| Bass | E2–E4 | 40–64 | 82.4–329.6 | C2–G4 |
What is a mezzo-soprano?
The mezzo-soprano is the middle female voice. It lies between the soprano and the contralto and overlaps both. Its typical range is A3 to A5, and some mezzo-sopranos extend down to F3 and up to C6. Subtypes are lyric, coloratura and dramatic mezzo-soprano.
Why do other charts show different notes?
Voice classification developed in European classical music, and no system is universally applied or accepted. Another range table, also from Wikipedia’s vocal range article, gives these operatic approximations, which it says are not meant to be rigidly applied:
| Voice type | Range in that table |
|---|---|
| Soprano | C4–G6 |
| Mezzo-soprano | A3–G5 |
| Contralto | F3–C5 |
| Tenor | D3–A4 |
| Baritone | B2–F4 |
| Bass | G2–C4 |
Our test compares your notes with the first set of ranges. Countertenors, who mostly sing in falsetto, are usually listed as E3 to E5.
Which voice type am I?
Range is only one clue; tessitura and timbre matter more. Test your range with your microphone to see which type is closest.
Test your own vocal range
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Frequently asked questions
What are the vocal ranges for each voice type?
Typical ranges are soprano C4 to C6, mezzo-soprano A3 to A5, alto (contralto) F3 to F5, tenor C3 to C5, baritone A2 to A4 and bass E2 to E4. Each spans two octaves. They overlap, and different sources give slightly different limits.
Why do sources give different ranges?
Voice classification developed in European classical music, and no system is universally applied or accepted. The ranges are approximations and are not meant to be rigidly applied. One source lists soprano C4 to G6, another C4 to C6, so always check which source a chart uses.
What is middle C?
Middle C is C4, the C near the middle of a piano keyboard, with a frequency of about 261.6 Hz. The number after the letter counts octaves, so C3 is the C one octave below middle C and C5 is the C one octave above it.
Where does the countertenor fit in?
The countertenor is the highest male voice and generally sings in the falsetto register. Its range is often given as E3 to E5, though countertenor voices span a broad range. In classical music it is a separate category and not one of the female voice types.
Which voice type is the most common?
Most people have medium voices, so mezzo-soprano among women and baritone among men are the most common. The baritone is described as the most common male voice. The very high and very low types, soprano, contralto, tenor and bass, are found at the edges.
Can my range sit between two voice types?
Yes. Singing voices can encompass more than one voice type or fall between the typical ranges of two. Teachers then look at tessitura and timbre. A teacher would never classify one singer as more than one voice type, however wide the range is.
Sources
- Wikipedia. Voice type. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_type
- Wikipedia. Vocal range. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocal_range
Sources checked on October 11, 2026. Voice-type ranges are approximations and differ between sources. If you spot a mistake, email info@vocalrange.net.
Last updated: October 11, 2026