Mic Test
A free mic test that runs in your browser: press Start, speak, and see at once whether your microphone works, how loud it is and how much background noise it picks up.
Your microphone is analysed on this device and is never sent. A recording stays in this tab's memory and is deleted when you leave.
Relative readings from your device in dBFS (0 is the loudest the microphone can send), not a calibrated measurement.
Keyboard: Space starts and stops, R records.
How to use the mic test
This mic test checks your microphone in a few seconds. Press Start mic test and allow the microphone when the browser asks. Speak at your normal volume: the bar moves, the number shows the level in dBFS and the verdict says No sound, Quiet, Good or Too loud / clipping. The waveform and the frequency view below move with your voice. Your microphone is analysed on this device and is never sent.
Pick another input in the Microphone list to switch devices while the test runs, for example from the laptop microphone to a headset. Press Record 10 s to record a short clip, then Play recording to hear how you sound to other people. The clip stays in this tab's memory: Delete removes it, and it is gone when you leave the page. Call processing turns on the browser's own noise suppression, echo cancellation and auto gain, so you can compare the raw and the processed sound. On a computer, Space starts and stops and R records.
What the readings mean
All readings are in dBFS: decibels below full scale. 0 dBFS is the loudest signal the microphone can send, so every reading is a negative number. They are relative readings from your device, not a calibrated sound level, and the same voice gives different numbers on different microphones.
| Reading | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Verdict | From the loudest moment in the last 1.5 seconds: under -60 dBFS is No sound, -60 to -40 is Quiet, above -40 is Good. Any sample at the very top of the scale shows Too loud / clipping. |
| Peak | The loudest single moment since you pressed Start. |
| Average | The average level of everything the microphone heard, speech and pauses together. |
| Background noise | The level during the quietest moments of the last 8 seconds. Stay silent for a few seconds to read it. Lower is better: fans, traffic and computer noise push it up. |
| Clipping | How many times the signal hit the top of the scale. Clipped speech sounds harsh and distorted. Move back a little or lower the input level. |
A clear gap between your speaking level and the background noise matters more than any single number. If the frequency view shows a strong steady line while you are silent, something nearby hums.
Is my mic working? A checklist
- No sound at all: check for a mute button on the headset, the cable or the laptop keyboard. Microsoft's guide also says to make sure a headset's Mute button is not active.
- Wrong microphone: if the list shows more than one input, pick each in turn and watch which one moves the meter.
- Blocked: if the page says the microphone is blocked, allow it for this site in the browser (below), then press Start again.
- Blocked by the system: Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android each have their own microphone switch. See the steps below.
- Busy: close other apps that may hold the microphone, such as a call app, then press Start again.
- Bluetooth headset: make sure it is paired and connected.
Allow the microphone in your browser
Chrome on a computer: More, Settings, Privacy and security, Site settings, then Microphone under Permissions. You can choose the default microphone there with the down arrow and change the setting for a single site. Chrome on Android: when the site asks, choose Allow while visiting the site or Allow this time.
Safari on a Mac: Safari, Settings, Websites, then Microphone. Set this site to Ask or Allow. Firefox: click the permissions icon on the left of the address bar and clear the blocked status so Firefox asks again, or open Settings, Permissions and data, then Microphone, and change the site to Allow.
Mic settings on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android
Windows 11: Start, Settings, Privacy & security, Microphone: turn on Microphone access and Let desktop apps access your microphone. Choose the input in Settings, System, Sound, under Choose a device for speaking or recording. Windows 10: Start, Settings, Privacy, Microphone: turn on Allow apps to access your microphone and Allow desktop apps to access your microphone. Then in Settings, System, Sound, choose the device under Choose your input device. The Levels tab in Device properties has the Microphone and Microphone Boost sliders.
Mac: Apple menu, System Settings, Privacy & Security, Microphone, and turn access on for your browser. Pick the input and drag the input volume slider in System Settings, Sound, Input. iPhone: Settings, Privacy & Security, Microphone, and turn access on for the app you use. Android: Settings, Apps, choose your browser, Permissions, Microphone, Allow. Some phones also have a Microphone access switch under Security & privacy, Privacy controls, which turns the microphone off for every app.
Headset mic tips
Run the mic test with the headset on and speak as you would on a call. If the level is Quiet, move the microphone closer to your mouth. If you only see Good when you shout, raise the input level in the system settings. Then press Record, play it back and listen for hiss, hum or a muffled sound. After the microphone, check the other direction with the headphone test or the left right test. Singers can go on to the vocal range test.
More for sound check: Sound Test · Speaker Test · Headphone Test · Left Right Test · Bass Test · Surround Sound Test · Audio Delay Test · Speaker Cleaner · Tone Generator
Checking a laptop before a call or after a repair? Try the Keyboard tester.
Questions
Why is my mic so quiet?
The input level may be low or the wrong microphone may be in use. Raise the input level in the system settings (Windows has Microphone and Microphone Boost sliders on the Levels tab; a Mac has the input volume slider in Sound, Input), move closer, and check that the right device is chosen in the Microphone list.
Why does the mic test hear nothing?
If the verdict stays on No sound, the microphone is muted, switched off in the system privacy settings, or another input is selected. Check the mute button, the browser permission and the system microphone switch, then press Start again.
Does this mic test record me?
Only if you press Record. The live meter analyses the sound on your device and keeps nothing. A recording stays in this tab's memory, is never uploaded, and is deleted when you press Delete or leave the page. Download saves it to your own device only if you choose to.
Can I test my mic for Discord, Zoom or Teams calls?
Yes. Choose the microphone you use in the call app, try it with Call processing on and off, and record a clip to hear yourself. Each call app also has its own input setting, so check that it uses the same microphone.
What is a good level in dBFS?
On this page, speech that peaks above -40 dBFS reads as Good, and the meter warns when the signal hits the top of the scale. Aim for a level that moves well into the green while you talk and never shows clipping.