How do soprano, mezzo-soprano, and contralto voices differ?

In opera and vocal music, female voices are primarily categorized by their range and vocal characteristics, with the soprano, mezzo-soprano, and contralto representing the three standard types from highest to lowest.1

• Soprano: This is the highest human vocal register, typically extending from middle C to the second A above. Sopranos are often further classified by their tone and agility, such as the powerful dramatic soprano, the lighter lyric soprano, or the highly agile coloratura soprano, which can reach even higher notes.23
• Mezzo-soprano: Meaning "half-soprano," this voice occupies the intermediate range between the soprano and the contralto. It generally encompasses the A below middle C up to the second F or G above middle C.4
• Contralto: Also known as the alto, this is the lowest of the three female voice types.51

These classifications are influenced by physical factors, including laryngeal dimensions, which often correlate with body type. Additionally, each voice type follows specific patterns regarding their transition tones between chest, midvoice, and head registers.1