How to use the mic test
- Press Start mic test. Your browser asks for permission to use the microphone: choose Allow.
- Speak, clap or tap near the microphone. The level meter, waveform and frequency spectrum should move, and the message changes to Your microphone is working.
- If you have more than one microphone (a laptop's built-in mic, a headset, a USB or Bluetooth mic), pick it in the Microphone list. The test switches over instantly.
- Press Record 10 seconds, then play the clip back to hear what other people hear on a call. You can also download it.
- Press Stop test when you are done. The microphone is released and your browser's recording indicator goes off.
What the numbers mean
Digital audio is measured in dBFS (decibels relative to full scale). 0 dBFS is the loudest value the microphone can deliver; everything else is negative. The RMS level is the average energy of the signal and matches how loud it sounds, while Peak is the highest instantaneous value. As a rough guide:
| Reading | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| No movement at all | The browser receives silence: the mic is muted, switched off or the wrong device is selected. |
| Below about −60 dBFS while you speak | Very quiet. The mic may be far away, covered, or its input volume set very low. |
| About −40 to −15 dBFS while you speak | A healthy level for calls and voice recording. |
| Peaks at 0 dBFS, Clipping lights up | Too loud: the sound distorts. Lower the input volume or move back. |
The frequency spectrum shows how strong each pitch is, from bass on the left to treble on the right. A voice sits mostly between about 100 Hz and 4 kHz. Almost nothing above 4 kHz is typical of a Bluetooth headset in call mode, and a constant spike at 50 or 60 Hz usually means electrical hum.
Is this an online decibel meter?
Partly. The Sound level panel converts the signal into an approximate decibel reading with minimum, average and maximum, handy for comparing a quiet and a noisy room. It is not a calibrated sound level meter: browsers only expose digital levels, every microphone has a different sensitivity, and gain control and noise suppression change the level on purpose. For a better estimate, switch off Automatic gain control and Noise suppression, then set the Calibration offset so the reading matches a meter you trust. Do not rely on it for workplace noise or legal measurements.
Microphone not working? Fixes that solve most cases
The browser says permission is blocked
- Chrome and Edge: click the icon to the left of the address, open Site settings and set Microphone to Allow, then reload the page.
- Firefox: click the microphone or permissions icon in the address bar and remove the Blocked entry, then reload and allow again.
- Safari on Mac: Safari › Settings › Websites › Microphone, then choose Allow for this site. On iPhone and iPad: Settings › Apps › Safari › Microphone.
Windows 10 and 11
- Open Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone and switch on Microphone access, Let apps access your microphone and Let desktop apps access your microphone.
- Open Settings › System › Sound, choose the right device under Input and check that its volume is not at zero.
- Many laptops have a microphone mute key (one of the F keys, marked with a crossed-out microphone and often a small light). Press it and test again.
macOS
- Open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone and enable your browser. Quit and reopen the browser afterwards.
- In System Settings › Sound › Input, select the microphone and raise the input volume until the input level reacts.
Zoom, Teams, Discord and other apps
If this page works but a call app does not, the microphone itself is fine: the app is using a different input device or is muted. In Zoom, Teams, Google Meet and Discord, open the audio or voice settings and select the same microphone you chose above. Discord also has an input sensitivity threshold that can hide quiet voices. If this page reports that the microphone is in use, close other apps and browser tabs that may be holding it, or unplug and reconnect the device.
Headset versus built-in microphone
Plugging in a headset does not always switch the input to it. Select it in the list above and talk: if the level does not change, check the mute switch on the cable or ear cup and, for a 3.5 mm jack, whether the computer needs a combined headset port or a splitter. Bluetooth headsets sound duller while their microphone is active because they switch to a call mode; that is normal.
Testing a whole setup before a meeting? Check the picture with the webcam test, the sound output with the speaker and headphone test, and your connection with the internet speed test. More checks for keyboards, mice, screens and controllers are on the device tests page.
Privacy: the microphone is analysed entirely in your browser. No audio is uploaded or stored on a server, recordings exist only in this tab's memory until you leave the page, and the only thing remembered between visits is your calibration offset, kept in this browser's local storage.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my microphone is working?
Press Start mic test, allow access and speak. If the meter and waveform move with your voice and the page says your microphone is working, it works. Record a short clip and play it back to check that it sounds clear.
Why does the mic test say it can't hear anything?
The browser gets a signal that never rises above the background noise. The most common causes are a muted headset or mute key, the wrong microphone selected, an input volume at zero in your system settings, or another app holding the microphone. Work through the fixes above, then press Start again.
Is my audio recorded or uploaded?
No. The level, waveform and spectrum are calculated in your browser. The optional 10-second recording is kept in the page's memory so you can play or download it, and it is gone when you close or leave the tab.
Can I test a headset or Bluetooth microphone?
Yes. Connect it first, then choose it in the Microphone list after starting the test. If it does not appear, reconnect it and press Start again, because browsers only list devices the system currently reports.
How accurate is the online decibel meter?
It shows an approximate, relative level. Phone and laptop microphones are not calibrated and browsers apply gain control, so the absolute number can be off by a lot. It is useful for comparisons, and you can calibrate it against a real meter with the offset slider.
Does the mic test work on iPhone and Android?
Yes, in current versions of Safari, Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Samsung Internet. On iPhone, the page must be allowed microphone access when Safari asks, and only one app can use the microphone at a time, so end any call first.
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