One of the features used to specify vowel quality. Location refers to the position of the highest point of the tongue in the oral cavity during the production of a vowel sound. Three locations are normally used:

• Front: the highest point is the front of the tongue approaching the hard palate. Examples: i y
• Central: The highest point of the tongue is intermediate between front and back and approaches the rear of the hard palate or the forward part of the soft palate. Example: ə
• Back:the highest point is the back of the tongue approaching the soft palate. Examples: u ɯ