Vocal Range & Tessiture Calculator
Determine your vocal range span in semitones and identify your voice classification (soprano, tenor, bass, etc.) based on your lowest, highest, and comfortable singing notes.
About this calculator
Vocal range is measured in semitones between a singer's lowest and highest producible pitches. In this calculator, notes are expressed as MIDI numbers, where middle C (C4) = 60 and each semitone = 1 unit. The total range is simply highestNote − lowestNote. The tessiture — the range where a singer is most comfortable and resonant — is captured by the comfortableHigh − comfortableLow interval. A composite score blends the full range span with a tessiture ratio: Score = (highestNote − lowestNote) + ((comfortableHigh − comfortableLow) / (highestNote − lowestNote) × 100). This rewards singers whose comfortable range occupies a large proportion of their total range. Voice classification (soprano, mezzo, alto, tenor, baritone, bass) is then determined by where the tessiture sits on the MIDI scale.
How to use
A singer's lowest note is A2 (MIDI 45), highest is A4 (MIDI 81), comfortable low is D3 (MIDI 50), and comfortable high is E4 (MIDI 76). Step 1: Total range = 81 − 45 = 36 semitones (3 octaves). Step 2: Comfortable span = 76 − 50 = 26 semitones. Step 3: Tessiture ratio = 26 / 36 = 0.722. Step 4: Score = 36 + (0.722 × 100) = 36 + 72.2 = 108.2. The tessiture sitting around D3–E4 places this singer squarely in the baritone range. A score above 100 indicates excellent tessiture coverage relative to total range.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between vocal range and tessiture?
Vocal range is the complete span from your absolute lowest to absolute highest note, including notes that require significant effort or special technique. Tessiture (or tessitura) is the narrower band of pitches where your voice sounds most natural, resonant, and sustainable over long periods. A wide range is impressive, but a well-centred tessiture is what determines your voice type classification. Opera and choral directors primarily cast singers based on tessiture, not extreme range.
How do I find my lowest and highest MIDI note values?
MIDI note numbers follow a simple formula: MIDI = (octave + 1) × 12 + semitone, where C = 0, D = 2, E = 4, F = 5, G = 7, A = 9, B = 11. So A4 (the A above middle C, 440 Hz) is MIDI 69, and middle C (C4) is MIDI 60. You can also use a free piano app or tuner to identify the note name, then convert it using an online MIDI chart. Record your notes after a gentle warm-up, not when your voice is cold, for the most accurate reading.
What vocal range is considered normal for an untrained singer?
Most untrained adults can sing comfortably across about 1.5 to 2 octaves (18 to 24 semitones). With training, many singers expand to 2–3 octaves, and professional singers often exceed 3 octaves. The average untrained male voice sits between E2 and E4, while the average untrained female voice spans roughly A3 to A5. Having a smaller range does not mean poor singing ability — control, tone quality, and tessiture placement matter far more in most musical contexts.