Vocal Pitch Sweet Spot Found Most Attractive

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 23, 2026

A study by Durham University found that women most prefer male voices at a moderate pitch of around 95 hertz, rather than the very deep tones traditionally seen as attractive. This challenges the belief that deeper voices are always better and warns against popular trends of artificially lowering pitch, which may not increase attractiveness and could pose health risks.

A recent study has identified an optimal vocal pitch that women find most attractive in men, challenging the common belief that deeper voices are always more appealing. Researchers from Durham University found that voices at a moderate pitch of around 95 hertz—similar to the speaking tones of Barack Obama and Gerard Butler—are rated as the most attractive, while both higher and lower pitches tend to be less favored.

The study involved 1,466 participants from the United States who evaluated videos of men speaking. These videos were digitally modified to create a range of pitch levels. The lowest pitch tested was 75 hertz, comparable to the voice of Vin Diesel, while higher pitches tested included 115 hertz and 135 hertz, the latter resembling comedian Kevin Hart’s vocal tone.

Results published in the journal Royal Society Open Science indicate that deeper voices at 75 hertz, often perceived as highly masculine, were actually rated as less attractive in comparison to the 95-hertz pitch. Similarly, higher-pitched voices were judged by both men and women as less attractive and displaying lower dominance.

The researchers suggest that higher-pitched voices may be perceived as less masculine, which could explain their reduced appeal. However, the preference for vocal masculinity seems to stem more from an avoidance of overly feminine-sounding voices than from a desire for extremely deep ones. This finding nuances the popular notion that “deeper is better” when it comes to male attractiveness.

The study also comes amid concerns about the rising trend of “voicemaxxing,” where men attempt various unconventional methods to artificially deepen their voices online. Health experts have cautioned that such practices may be ineffective or potentially harmful, warning against the assumption that simply lowering one's vocal pitch will enhance attractiveness.

Overall, the research highlights the complex role vocal characteristics play in social perception and attraction, emphasizing that a balanced pitch—not necessarily the deepest—tends to be preferred.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.