How to use it
- Click Start mic test and allow microphone access when your browser asks.
- Pick your microphone from the list and speak normally while you watch the waveform or spectrum.
- Stay quiet for 3 seconds to measure background noise, then talk to see your signal-to-noise ratio.
- Record a 5, 10 or 30-second clip, play it back and download it if you want to keep it.
What the mic test shows
Once you allow access, the audio is analyzed live in your browser:
- Waveform or spectrum: switch between an oscilloscope-style waveform and a frequency spectrum. The spectrum makes hum, fan noise and hiss easy to spot.
- Level meter: shows the current level in dBFS (decibels relative to full scale, where 0 dBFS is the loudest signal the device can record), with a peak-hold marker and a clipping warning.
- Microphone list: every connected input, with a refresh button for a headset you just plugged in.
- Technical details: the sample rate, the number of channels (mono or stereo), the device name and whether echo cancellation, noise suppression and auto gain are active.
Based on what it hears, the tool gives a plain-English verdict: silent, too quiet, good or too loud.
Reading the level meter
| Peak level | What it means |
|---|---|
| no movement | The browser receives no sound: wrong device, muted mic or blocked permission |
| below about −30 dBFS | Working but quiet: move closer or raise the input volume |
| about −30 to −3 dBFS | A healthy range for speech |
| above −3 dBFS | Too hot: loud parts may clip and sound distorted |
The peak-hold marker stays at your loudest moment for a while, so you can glance at it after a laugh or a cough. If the clipping warning lights up during normal speech, lower the input volume in your system settings or move the mic a little farther away.
Echo cancellation, noise suppression and auto gain
Browsers and call apps quietly process your voice before anyone hears it. Here you can switch each step on and off and hear the difference:
- Echo cancellation removes sound from your speakers that leaks back into the mic. It is essential without headphones, but it can make your voice sound slightly thin.
- Noise suppression filters steady background noise such as fans and hum. Aggressive settings can make speech sound watery or cut off quiet words.
- Auto gain raises or lowers the level automatically. It helps quiet speakers, but it also pumps up room noise between sentences.
Record the same sentence with the filters on and off and compare the clips. If your voice sounds better raw, a good mic in a quiet room may not need the extra processing.
Background noise and signal-to-noise ratio
Click the noise measurement and stay silent for 3 seconds. The tool records the noise floor, the level of your room with nobody talking. Then speak normally, and it estimates the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): how much louder your voice is than the background. The bigger the gap, the cleaner you sound on calls and recordings.
If the gap is small, try these in order: move the mic closer to your mouth, turn off fans and air purifiers, close the window, and use a headset instead of a laptop's built-in mic. Soft furnishings such as curtains, rugs and a couch also cut echo in a bare room.
Record, play back and hear yourself
Record a 5, 10 or 30-second clip and play it back to hear exactly what other people hear. You can download the clip in the format your browser records: usually WebM or Ogg, and MP4/M4A in Safari.
The hear yourself monitor plays your mic live into your ears, which is handy for adjusting mic position. Use it only with headphones: through speakers, the sound loops back into the mic and causes loud feedback, and the tool warns you about this.
Everything happens in your browser; no audio is sent to a server. Clips exist only in this tab until you download them, and the microphone is released when you click Stop or close the page.
Mic not working? Quick fixes
The built-in troubleshooter below the test detects your operating system and browser and shows matching steps. The most common fixes:
- Windows 11: Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone: turn on Microphone access, Let apps access your microphone and Let desktop apps access your microphone. Then check Settings › System › Sound › Input for the right device and volume.
- Mac: System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone, enable your browser; then System Settings › Sound › Input.
- Chrome and Edge: click the site controls icon left of the address bar and allow the microphone. Firefox: click the permission icon in the address bar. Safari: Safari › Settings › Websites › Microphone.
- iPhone: Settings › Safari (or your browser's app) › Microphone. Android: Chrome › Settings › Site settings › Microphone, and make sure the quick-settings Microphone access tile is on.
- Busy device: close Zoom, Teams or Discord, which can hold the mic.
Still stuck? Run the step-by-step microphone troubleshooter. To check your camera and speakers too, use the webcam test and the headphone test.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test my microphone online?
Click Start mic test, allow microphone access and speak. If the waveform and level meter move, the mic works. Record a short clip and play it back to check the sound quality.
Why is my mic not working on Windows 11?
Most often microphone access is off in Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone, the wrong input is selected in Settings › System › Sound, or another app is using the mic. The built-in troubleshooter walks you through each check.
Why does my mic sound muffled or robotic?
Strong noise suppression, a Bluetooth headset in its call mode or a mic far from your mouth are the usual causes. Compare recordings with the filters on and off, and move the mic closer.
Should I turn off noise suppression?
In a quiet room with a decent mic, often yes, because your voice sounds more natural. In a noisy room or without headphones, keep noise suppression and echo cancellation on.
What does dBFS mean?
Decibels relative to full scale. 0 dBFS is the maximum level the device can record; normal speech should peak well below it, roughly between −30 and −3 dBFS.
Is my voice recorded or uploaded?
No. The audio is analyzed in your browser. A clip is recorded only when you ask for one, stays in this tab and is gone when you close it, unless you download it.
Can I test a Bluetooth headset microphone?
Yes. Select it from the microphone list. Many Bluetooth headsets switch to a lower-quality mode while the mic is active, so playback may sound more muffled than music does.
Last updated: November 13, 2026