Top 10 Surprising Answers to the Question "Who Has a Bigger Vocal Range?"

Cool! I learned another new thing today! Great list! - Misfire

Mariah Carey: 4 octaves, 6-1/2 notes (from G#2 to G7)
Axl Rose: 5 octaves, 2-1/2 notes (from F1 to Bb6) - Metal_Treasure

Luciano Pavarotti is the best and greatest male singer of all time, bar none.

Luciano Pavarotti or Alkadikce? Alkadikce - Alkadikce

This one demonstrates that vocal range is just one small part of singing ability.
I like James Hetfield's singing, but Pavarotti is the consensus greatest male singer of all time.

Luciano Pavarotti: 2 octaves, 2-1/2 notes (from C#3 to F5)
James Hetfield: 3 octaves, 3 notes (from C2 to F5).
You see that the highest note both hit is the same - F5. But this note sounds much better when Pavarotti sings it. On the other hand, James Hetfield can sing a whole octave lower than Pavarotti. - Metal_Treasure

Now this is a truly shocking one. One of best singers ever compared to a singer who admitted himself that he was not particularly good.

Whitney Houston: 2 octaves, 4 notes (C#3 to G#5)
Dave Mustaine: 2 octaves, 6-1/2 notes (E2 to Eb5) - Metal_Treasure

Jon Bon Jovi: 4 octaves, 2-1/2 notes (from E2 to G#6)
Freddie Mercury: 4 octaves (from F2 to F6) - Metal_Treasure

Billie Joe Armstrong has an amazing voice, and a distinctive roar that is perfect for what he plays. He might not have the best vocal range but his distinctive voice sets him apart as an amazing vocalist.

Green Day actually is so much worse, than Nickelback. It didn't surprise me at all, Chad is a godly vocalist compared to Armstrong, which has an annoying forgettable voice. Shame.

Chad Kroeger: 3 octaves, 2-1/2 notes
Billie Joe Armstrong: 2 octaves, 6-1/2 notes - Metal_Treasure

This one shocked me the most. I didn't realize how limited MJ's voice is beyond the high register. - Gg2000

Michael Jackson: 3 octaves, 4 notes (F#2 to C#6)
Elvis Presley: 4 octaves, 1 note (G1 to A5) - Metal_Treasure

This doesn't surprise me because Araya sings pretty deep (and clean) in the Black Sabbath cover Hand of Doom while he also screams in a high voice in many Slayer songs. - Alkadikce

Tom Araya (Slayer): 4 octaves (from C#2 to C#6)
Chester Bennington (Linkin Park): 3 octaves (from G#2 to G#5) - Metal_Treasure

Luciano Pavarotti: 2 octaves, 2-1/2 notes
Freddie Mercury: 4 octaves - Metal_Treasure

Didn't suprise me at all from the way Gillan sings you can anderstand he is way more better range than Plant.

Robert Plant: 3 octaves, 5-1/2 notes
Ian Gillan: 4 octaves - Metal_Treasure

Ummm...what? Johnny Cash had WAY more than 2 octaves 5 notes. A1-G5 is just under 4 octaves.

Justin Bieber has a 3 octaves vocal range? - Userguy44

Justin Bieber: 3 octaves, 1/2 note
Johnny Cash: 2 octaves, 5-1/2 notes - Metal_Treasure

I'll be honest, I'm not very surprised. Roger Waters frequently jumps from his lower register to his higher register. The only problem is that his voice has always been untrained, meaning that it doesn't always sound pleasant. - Gg2000

That's 100% true. He had range but had not vocal skills/technique, as you said - untrained voice. - Metal_Treasure

Roger Waters range is almost 5 octaves: 4 octaves, 6-1/2 notes - Metal_Treasure

Dimash - 6 octaves and 3 notes, up to D8 (as heard so far). - Metal_Treasure

Damn his vocal range is insane! Even better than Mike Patton and that says something. - Userguy44

Michael Kiske: 3 octaves, 3 notes (E2 to A5)
Kai Hansen: 4 octaves (C#2 to C#6) - Metal_Treasure

Not too surprising. Anselmo showcases a great range in his singing. - JoLeKosovo

Matt Bellamy: 3 octaves, 2 notes (G2 to B5)
Phil Anselmo: 4 octaves, 1/2 note (A1 to Bb5) - Metal_Treasure

Oh. - Misfire

Chester Bennington: 3 octaves
Chad Kroeger: 3 octaves, 2-1/2 notes - Metal_Treasure

This one doesn't surprise me.

This isn’t surprising at all. - 3DG20

This one suprised me? - Userguy44

David Lee Roth's got 5 octaves, 3 notes. But he's known for not using it - Metal_Treasure

This doesn't surprise me since I don't know who the other guy is. Lol - Misfire

Mariah Carey: 4 octaves, 6-1/2 notes (from G#2 to G7)
Corey Taylor: 5 octaves, 5-1/2 notes (from Eb1 to C7) - Metal_Treasure

James Hetfield

WHAT - Misfire

Jack Black- a very funny comedian with some singing ability.
Frank Sinatra- possibly the greatest ever non-operatic singer.

Jack Black : 3 octaves, 6 notes
Frank Sinatra: 2 octaves, 3-1/2 notes - Metal_Treasure

I though axl had the biggest vocal range after mike - zxm

What! I am surprised! - zxm

Thanks for the info - zxm

@zxm - haha, the list title is "surprising answers"!
Here are the 5 guys with 5+ octaves:
1. Mike Patton - 6 octaves, 1/2 note (Eb1 to E7)
2. Corey Taylor - 5 octaves, 5-1/2 notes (Eb1 to C7)
3. David Lee Roth - 5 octaves, 3 notes (E1 to A6)
4. Axl Rose - 5 octaves, 2-1/2 notes (F1 to Bb6)
5. Ville Valo - 5 octaves, 1/2 notes (C1 to C#6)
Update 2019: #1 is Dimash Kudaibergen, 6 octaves and 3 notes - Metal_Treasure

Mike patton has the biggest vocal range,but some people think axl has the biggest vocal range.it may be surprising to some people - zxm