What is the Human Voice Frequency? How Sound is Produced by the Human Body

What is the human voice frequency?

Why is each persons voice so unique?This is a question that has been asked for centuries. Scientists and researchers have worked tirelessly to figure out what makes each person's voice special.

Let's explore what the human voice frequency is and how sound is produced by your vocal cords.

Some people have higher frequency in their voices and some people have lower, more baritone voices. A high-frequency range can be from a few hundred hertz up to several thousand hertz.

The fundamental frequency of a persons complex speech tone lies in the range of 100-120 Hz for lower sounding voices, but variations outside this range can occur. For higher pitched voices the fundamental frequency can be an octave higher around 200 Hz. Children can produce a fundamental voice frequency as high as 300 Hz.

The fundamental frequency of a human voice can also be known as the pitch, or f0.

The below charts show what SPL is produced at each frequency band for various inflections of low, high, and children voices. The SPL is basically how loud the sound is. The higher on the chart the louder the sound. 

Low Human Voices

Human Voice Frequency - Low Voices - Shows Various Vocal Inflections

High Human Voices

Human Voice Frequency - High Voices - Shows Various Vocal Inflections

Children Voices

Human Voice Frequency - Children Voices - Shows Various Vocal Inflections

Keep in mind that the human ear cannot hear sounds above 20 kHz (20 kilohertz). This is why dogs and other animals can hear higher pitched sounds than humans.

How does the human voice produce sound?

The vocal cords are located in your throat. When you speak, air passes through your vocal cords and causes them to vibrate. This vibration creates sound waves that travel through the air and into your ears, where they are perceived as sound.

The vocal cords are also known as vocal folds which is the more modern term. Your vocal folds need to vibrate symmetrically and in regularly in order to get crisp and clear sound that is not raspy or harsh.

Fun facts about the human voice!

Countertenors: Some males possess a rare vocal ability to sing in the alto or soprano range, and they are known as countertenors.

Whistle Register: The highest register in the human voice is known as the whistle register, and it allows some individuals to produce extremely high-pitched sounds.

Vocal Classification: Singers are typically classified into vocal categories like soprano, alto, tenor, and bass based on their vocal range and timbre.

Vocal Range Expansions: With proper vocal training, singers can expand their vocal range and improve their ability to hit higher or lower notes. Don't get down on yourself if you can't hit those high notes in the shower. There is always hope ;)

Vocal Health: Maintaining good vocal health through proper hydration, rest, and avoiding vocal strain is essential for preserving and enhancing the human vocal range.

Chart Of Frequencies Produced By People With Lower Voices

Freaquency [HZ] Shouted Loud Raised Normal Casual
125 42 50 51 48 44
160 42 55 49 44 42
200 58 58 52 48 45
250 67 60 55 52 44
315 68 61 54 51 43
400 69 65 58 53 47
500 74 68 60 54 48
630 78 69 58 52 45
800 78 65 54 46 38
1000 78 64 53 45 37
1250 80 66 54 47 39
1600 78 63 51 43 39
2000 73 59 48 40 34
2500 72 59 48 41 33
3150 70 57 47 41 33
4000 68 55 44 38 35
5000 62 49 40 34 34
6300 61 48 41 35 33
8000 59 46 39 33 33

 

Chart Of Frequencies Produced By People With Higher Voices

Freaquency [HZ] Shouted Loud Raised Normal Casual
125 20 20 26 20 26
160 30 35 35 37 36
200 40 45 48 48 46
250 50 55 53 47 43
315 55 55 49 43 40
400 61 55 53 49 45
500 64 59 57 50 45
630 67 62 55 48 44
800 70 62 54 46 39
1000 72 61 52 42 35
1250 74 62 53 43 35
1600 74 62 52 42 35
2000 69 56 47 38 34
2500 66 54 45 36 31
3150 66 53 45 38 30
4000 65 53 45 40 30
5000 60 49 42 36 30
6300 56 47 40 36 32
8000 55 45 39 34 33

 

Chart Of Frequencies Produced By Children's Voices

Freaquency [HZ] Shouted Loud Raised Normal Casual
125 25 25 26 26 24
160 45 30 30 30 26
200 44 42 41 40 41
250 49 49 52 51 46
315 53 54 54 48 40
400 61 58 53 48 43
500 66 60 55 53 49
630 66 60 58 52 48
800 67 63 57 49 44
1000 72 61 54 44 39
1250 72 62 54 43 38
1600 72 63 54 43 39
2000 71 60 50 41 39
2500 65 54 47 38 33
3150 66 54 48 39 33
4000 66 54 49 40 33
5000 63 52 46 38 33
6300 67 49 43 35 33
8000 55 48 43 37 33

 

 

 

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3 comments

Really nice charts! What is the distance of to the source (voice) to the specified SPL? 1m?

Joachim

more info

stephani barnes

Love to know more about voice and frequency

Onyegiwu Marvin

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