Microphone Test
Check that your microphone works, see its level live and hear yourself back.
Press Start and allow microphone access when your browser asks. Then speak normally.
The sound is analysed on this page only. Nothing is recorded unless you press Record.
How to use Microphone Test
- Press Start the microphone test and allow access when the browser asks.
- Speak at your normal volume. The meter and waveform move, and after 3 seconds you get a verdict: working, too quiet, or too loud (clipping).
- Press Record 5 seconds to hear yourself back. Use the list to switch between microphones, such as a headset and the laptop’s built-in one.
What the test measures
The level is measured as dBFS (decibels relative to full scale): 0 dB is the loudest signal the microphone can deliver and every 6 dB lower halves the amplitude. Normal speech close to a headset usually peaks between −30 and −10 dB. Below about −35 dB listeners will struggle to hear you; at 0 dB the signal is clipping, which sounds harsh and distorted. The peak marker holds the loudest moment for a second and a half.
By default the raw signal is measured, with the browser’s echo cancellation, noise suppression and automatic gain turned off, so you see what the microphone itself delivers. Tick the option to hear what meeting apps typically send; automatic gain can make a quiet microphone look fine.
The details panel lists what the browser reports: the device name, sample rate and number of channels. The recording uses your browser’s built-in recorder and exists only in this page’s memory; the download button saves it to your device if you want to keep it.
Example
A USB headset held 3 cm from the mouth reaches about −14 dB when speaking: “Your microphone works and the level is good.” The laptop’s built-in microphone 60 cm away reaches −38 dB: “quiet — speak closer or raise the input volume”.
Frequently asked questions
How can I hear myself on the mic test?
Press Record 5 seconds, speak, then play the recording back. Listening live to yourself causes echo and feedback through speakers, so a short recording is the clearer test.
Why does the test show no sound?
Usually the wrong input is selected, the microphone is muted (a switch on the headset cable or a mute key), or the operating system blocks it. Choose another microphone in the list, check the mute switch, and allow microphone access in Windows Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone or macOS System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone.
Why is my microphone so quiet?
Move it closer (the level rises about 6 dB each time you halve the distance) and raise the input volume in your system sound settings. A level around −20 to −10 dB while speaking is ideal.
Does this work for headsets, AirPods and USB microphones?
Yes. Any microphone your browser can use appears in the list once you have allowed access; Bluetooth headsets switch to a lower-quality call mode while the microphone is in use, which is normal.
Is my voice recorded or uploaded?
No. The sound is analysed in this page. A recording is made only when you press Record, kept only in the page’s memory, and deleted when you close the page.
Limitations
- The level is relative (dBFS), not a calibrated sound-pressure measurement in dB SPL.
- Some browsers name devices only after access is allowed.
- Recording format depends on the browser (WebM/Opus in Chrome and Firefox, MP4/AAC in Safari).
Guides for this tool
- Microphone Not Working? A 5-Minute Fix ChecklistFix a microphone that is not picked up in the browser, Zoom, Teams or Discord: mute switches, the right input, Windows and macOS privacy settings, and level checks.
Last reviewed November 9, 2026. How we build and test tools.