Mic Test
Check that your microphone works before a call, stream or recording. See your live input level, record a clip and hear exactly how you sound.
- Live level in dBFS
- Record & play back
- Noise floor check
- Audio stays on device
What is a mic test?
A mic test confirms that your computer or phone can hear your microphone and shows how good the signal is. This one reads the microphone through your browser’s Web Audio API and shows a level meter in dBFS (decibels relative to full scale), a live waveform and frequency spectrum, the peak level and the background noise floor. It flags clipping when the signal hits the maximum and lists the sample rate and channel count your browser reports. You can switch microphones, try the echo cancellation, noise suppression and automatic gain filters that video-call apps use, and record a 10-second clip to listen back.
How to test your microphone
- Select Start mic test and choose Allow when your browser asks for microphone access.
- Speak at your normal volume. The level bar should move into the green zone, roughly −30 to −10 dBFS, and the waveform should react to your voice.
- Stay quiet for three seconds to measure the noise floor. Below −60 dB is a quiet room; above −45 dB means fans, traffic or hum are being picked up.
- Select Record 10 seconds, then play the clip back to hear your microphone the way other people will. Switch inputs or filters and compare.
Microphone not working? Try these fixes
- Allow access: click the lock or camera icon in the address bar and set Microphone to Allow, then reload.
- Check the hardware mute: many headsets and USB mics have a mute button or a switch on the cable.
- Choose the right input: pick your microphone from the list above. On Windows, also check Settings › System › Sound › Input; on macOS, System Settings › Sound › Input.
- Close other apps: Zoom, Teams, Discord or OBS can lock a microphone. Quit them and start the test again.
- Privacy settings: on Windows, enable Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone › Let desktop apps access your microphone. On macOS, allow your browser under Privacy & Security › Microphone.
Why use this mic test
- Nothing leaves your deviceYour voice is processed by your browser on this device. There is no upload, no server-side recording and no account.
- Hear what others hearRecord a short clip and play it back, with or without echo cancellation and noise suppression, to compare.
- Real measurementsLevel and peak in dBFS, clipping detection, noise floor, sample rate and channels, not just a bouncing bar.
- No download or driverRuns in Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari on Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, Android and iPhone.
When to run a mic test
- Before Zoom, Teams or Meet calls. Make sure the right microphone is selected and not muted.
- Streaming and podcasting. Set a gain level that never clips and check for background hum.
- New headset or USB mic. Confirm Windows or macOS is using the new device.
- Online exams and interviews. Prove your audio works before a proctored session starts.
Checking a whole setup? Run the webcam test, keyboard test, mouse test, gamepad tester, sound test, dead pixel test and refresh rate test, or browse all device tests.
Example: a USB mic that sounds quiet on calls
The level bar barely reaches −45 dBFS while you speak. Turn up the gain knob on the microphone until normal speech sits around −18 dBFS and loud laughs peak below −3 dBFS. Record a clip to confirm, then try enabling Automatic gain to see whether your call app’s processing helps or adds noise.
What to expect from the result
Browsers resample audio and may apply processing even when filters are off, so readings are relative rather than calibrated sound-pressure levels. The test cannot measure frequency response accurately or detect a microphone the operating system cannot see. Device names appear only after you allow access.
Mic Test questions
How do I test my mic online?
Select Start mic test, allow microphone access and speak. If the level bar and waveform move, your microphone works. Record a 10-second clip and play it back to hear the quality.
Is this microphone test private?
Yes. Audio is analysed by your browser on your device. Nothing is uploaded or stored on a server, and test recordings exist only in this tab until you close it or save them yourself.
Why does my mic test show no sound?
The microphone may be muted, blocked by browser or system privacy settings, used by another app, or not the selected input. Allow access in the address bar, choose the correct device from the list and close apps like Zoom or Discord.
What is a good microphone level?
For speech, aim for an average around −20 to −12 dBFS with peaks below −3 dBFS. If the meter hits 0 dBFS the audio clips and distorts; if it stays below −40 dBFS, raise the gain.
Can I test my microphone on iPhone or Android?
Yes. Open this page in Safari, Chrome or another mobile browser, tap Start mic test and allow access. Mobile browsers usually apply their own noise processing.