A voice Hz chart is a visual map of where human voices fall on the frequency spectrum. It’s essential for singers, vocal coaches, sound engineers, and anyone curious about vocal classification.
How to read a voice Hz chart
A voice Hz chart plots fundamental frequency (F0)—the pitch at which your vocal cords vibrate—on the horizontal or vertical axis, usually in Hertz (Hz). Each vocal type gets a range because people’s voices vary. A chart might show:
- Bass voices: 65–130 Hz
- Baritones: 110–175 Hz
- Tenors: 130–205 Hz
- Contraltos: 130–170 Hz
- Mezzo-sopranos: 165–220 Hz
- Sopranos: 220–280 Hz
These ranges overlap intentionally. A high baritone (170 Hz) might sound similar to a low tenor (140 Hz). What matters is where your voice sits comfortably—your natural speaking or singing range without strain.
A good chart also shows:
- The average untrained adult male voice: ~120 Hz
- The average untrained adult female voice: ~210 Hz
- Children’s voices: ~250–300 Hz (pre-puberty)
- Age-related changes: Voice depth shifts slightly over a lifetime
The chart is a tool for self-assessment and classification. If you measure your voice at 95 Hz, you look that up and find “baritone.” Done.
Voice frequency chart: male voices
Male vocal types break into three main categories based on typical ranges:
Bass (65–130 Hz)
The deepest male voice type. Basses have a rich, resonant quality and can sing low notes comfortably. Singers like Johnny Cash (~80 Hz) and bass opera singers sit here. A typical bass can comfortably speak around 80–100 Hz. Basses are less common; roughly 10–15% of men fall in this range.
Baritone (110–175 Hz)
The middle male voice type and the most common. If you’re an average man with an “average” voice, you’re probably a baritone. Baritones can access both low and high notes in their range. Speaking pitch for baritones typically lands around 110–140 Hz. Famous baritones include many pop and rock singers. About 60% of untrained men fall here.
Tenor (130–205 Hz)
The higher male voice type. Tenors have a brighter, more penetrating quality and excel at higher notes. Classical tenors and many pop/rock singers (especially in higher-pitched genres) are tenors. Speaking pitch for tenors often sits 140–170 Hz. Around 25% of men fall in this range.
Voice frequency chart: female voices
Female vocal types traditionally divide into three categories, though modern classifications add nuance:
Contralto (130–170 Hz)
The deepest female voice type. Contraltos are rare—only 1–2% of women have this voice type. Think of a woman with a notably deep speaking voice. Contraltos can access lower notes than higher voices but often have less access to high notes. Singers like Cher and Amy Winehouse have contralto-range voices.
Mezzo-soprano (165–220 Hz)
The middle female voice type. Mezzo-sopranos (sometimes called “mezzo”) make up a significant portion of female singers. They have a balanced range and warm tone. Contraltos singing higher sit in this range, as do sopranos singing lower. Many female pop and R&B singers are mezzo-sopranos.
Soprano (220–280 Hz)
The highest female voice type and classically associated with lead female roles in opera. Sopranos have brightness and carry. They can access the highest notes comfortably but usually don’t sing very low. About 15–20% of women are sopranos. Many female pop stars with signature high voices (like Ariana Grande) are sopranos or soprano-soprano blends.
What Hz represents a deep voice?
A “deep” voice is roughly anything below average for your gender and age group. For untrained adult males, 120 Hz is the average, so anything below 110 Hz sounds noticeably deep. For untrained females, 210 Hz is average, so below 190 Hz reads as deep.
But context matters. A baritone at 140 Hz sounds deep compared to a tenor at 180 Hz, even though 140 Hz isn’t objectively low. Perceived depth also depends on resonance and timber, not just fundamental frequency—a 140 Hz voice with rich resonance sounds deeper than a 130 Hz voice lacking resonance.
If you want to know how deep your voice is, measure your fundamental frequency using a voice Hz tester tool and compare to the chart above. Record your natural speaking voice, not a forced pitch.
How to measure your voice’s Hz using a chart or tool
Step 1: Record your voice.
Speak 3–5 sentences at your natural conversational pitch in a quiet room. Don’t force high or low. If possible, use a decent external microphone; phone mics work but introduce more error.
Step 2: Analyze the recording.
Use a voice frequency analyzer or deep voice Hz calculator to extract your fundamental frequency. Most tools show the result in Hz. Write down the number.
Step 3: Record multiple times.
Do this 3–5 times and average the results. You might get 92, 95, 89, 93, and 91 Hz—average to 92 Hz.
Step 4: Cross-reference the chart.
Look up 92 Hz on a male vocal type chart. You’re solidly in the baritone range (110–175 Hz upper half).
Step 5: Understand your result.
If you’re male and 92 Hz, you have a deeper voice than average (average male is 120 Hz). If you’re a singer, you’re likely a bass or bass-baritone. If you’re interested in developing your voice, this gives you a baseline.
For a more guided experience, use a dedicated voice depth analyzer that walks you through the process and compares your result to reference data automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don’t vocal ranges overlap more?
They actually do. The ranges given (bass 65–130, baritone 110–175) are typical, but outliers exist. Some people have naturally wider ranges. A trained singer might have a 4–octave range spanning 80–320 Hz. The chart shows typical comfortable ranges, not absolute limits.
Does my speaking voice pitch predict my singing range?
Usually, yes. Your speaking pitch and singing range are related because they’re produced by the same vocal mechanism. But trained singers often have wider ranges than their natural speaking suggests. A baritone speaker might sing tenor or bass songs in different keys.
Can I change my vocal type by training?
No. Your vocal type is determined by your vocal cord length, larynx size, and basic physiology. But training can expand your range within your type. A baritone won’t become a tenor, but a baritone can learn to sing higher and lower than feels natural, extending their effective range.
Is a deep voice better for singing?
No. Each voice type has strengths. Basses excel at low notes and dramatic roles. Tenors can carry high melodies. Mezzo-sopranos have warmth and flexibility. Deep, high, or middle—all voices can excel with proper training and material suited to their range.
Williams is a vocal depth and voice analysis writer at Deep Voice Test. He focuses on deep voice analysis, vocal frequency testing, pitch detection, and voice classification tools for singers, creators, speakers, and voice enthusiasts.