Microphone Test
Speak and watch the level move, get a plain verdict on your microphone, and play a short clip back - nothing is uploaded.
Your microphone is heard by this page only. Nothing is uploaded, and the test clip is discarded when you leave.
What this tool does
A microphone test shows whether your computer is hearing your microphone. Speak and the level bar should move. This test also gives a plain verdict on the loudest level it heard and lets you record five seconds and play it back. It all runs in your browser and nothing is uploaded.
Listens to the microphone you choose and shows a live level bar, the real sample rate and channel count, and the loudest peak it has heard so far.
Turns that peak into a plain verdict, and can record five seconds and play it straight back so you can judge how you actually sound.
How to use it
- Choose a microphone from the list, or leave it on the default.
- Press Test my microphone and allow microphone access when asked.
- Speak at your normal volume. The level bar should move and the verdict should read Working.
- Press Record 5 seconds & play back to hear yourself. Use headphones to avoid an echo.
- Press Copy results if you want the numbers for a support request.
Why test a microphone
A silent or very quiet microphone is one of the most common reasons a call goes wrong, and the cause is usually not the microphone itself: the wrong device is selected, the input volume is low, or another app has taken it.
Gives a plain verdict - no sound, too quiet, clipping or good - from the loudest peak it heard, not just a moving bar. A bar that twitches a little is not the same as a microphone that is usable.
Why we built it
We built the microphone test to give a plain verdict - no sound, too quiet, clipping or good - and to play a clip back. Record with the voice recorder and check your camera with the webcam test.
Related tools worth a look: the Sound Level Meter.
Who this tool is for
- Remote workers and students before a call
- Podcasters and streamers
- People troubleshooting a headset
When to use it
- Before a call, lesson, stream or recording.
- After plugging in a headset, USB microphone or interface.
- When others say they cannot hear you, to find out whether the fault is the microphone or the app.
- To compare two microphones by playing a clip from each.
What the verdict means
| Verdict | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No sound heard yet | Nothing came through the selected microphone. | Pick another microphone, check the mute switch, and allow access. |
| Heard, but very quiet | The microphone works but the level is low. | Raise the input volume in system sound settings, or move closer. |
| Working - good level | The peak reached a healthy level. | Nothing - the microphone is fine. |
| Clipping | The signal hit the top of the range and will sound distorted. | Lower the input level or move back from the microphone. |
Issues you may run into
| What you see | Why it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Microphone not found | Not connected, disabled, or blocked by a privacy setting. | Check the connection and system microphone privacy settings. |
| Permission blocked | Access was denied earlier. | Click the lock icon in the address bar, allow the microphone and reload. |
| Bar moves but clip is silent | A different input is used for recording than the meter. | Choose the device explicitly instead of the default. |
| Echo on play-back | Your speakers are feeding back into the microphone. | Use headphones for the play-back test. |
| Hiss or hum | Low-quality input or electrical interference. | Try another USB port or cable, and move away from power supplies. |
Assumptions and limitations
- The test measures what this page receives; another app may still be set to a different microphone.
- The verdict is based on peak level, which does not measure noise or tone quality.
- Microphone names only appear after you have allowed access once.
- Noise suppression and auto gain are switched off here, so results can differ from how a call app processes the same microphone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test my microphone online?
Press Test my microphone, allow access, and speak. The level bar should move and the verdict should read Working. You can also record five seconds and play it back.
Why is my microphone not detected?
It may be unplugged, disabled, or blocked by your system's privacy settings, or another app may be using it. Check the connection and settings, then allow access for this site.
Why is the level bar not moving?
The wrong microphone may be selected, it may be muted, or the input volume may be at zero. Try another device from the list and check the mute switch.
Is my microphone audio uploaded anywhere?
No. The audio is processed in this page only. The five-second clip is kept in memory and discarded when you leave.
What does a good microphone level look like?
Speaking normally, the bar should reach well past the middle without hitting the end. The verdict reads Working - good level when the peak is healthy and not clipping.
Why do I hear an echo when I play the clip back?
Your speakers are being picked up by the microphone. Use headphones for the play-back test.