Mic Test
Check your microphone in seconds. Nothing leaves your browser.
Click start, then allow microphone access when your browser asks.
Playback is the real test: it's what other people hear on the call.
How this test works
Your browser asks for microphone permission, then reads the raw audio signal locally using the Web Audio API. The waveform shows the shape of your signal in real time, and the VU meter shows the level in dBFS — the same scale audio apps use, where 0 dB is the loudest possible level before distortion. The peak-hold marker tracks your loudest moment so you can talk naturally and check it afterwards.
The readout strip shows which device is being tested, its sample rate, and channel count — useful for spotting a Bluetooth headset that has dropped into low-quality mode, or an app that grabbed the wrong mic. The record-and-playback step captures five seconds with your browser's own MediaRecorder and plays it straight back, so you hear your mic the way other people on a call hear it. Everything runs on your device; no audio is uploaded, stored, or analyzed anywhere else.
Microphone not working? Try this
Browser permission was denied
If you clicked "Block" (or dismissed the prompt), the browser remembers it. In Chrome and Edge, click the padlock or tune icon to the left of the address bar, set Microphone to Allow, and reload. In Firefox, click the microphone icon with a strike-through in the address bar and clear the block. In Safari, go to Safari → Settings → Websites → Microphone and set this site to Allow.
Windows 11 settings
Open Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone and make sure both "Microphone access" and "Let apps access your microphone" are on — if they're off, no browser can see your mic at all. Then check Settings → System → Sound → Input: your mic should be listed and the input volume bar should move when you speak. If the level is very low, raise the input volume there. For USB mics that don't appear, try another port, and check Device Manager → Audio inputs and outputs for a disabled device.
macOS settings
Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone and make sure your browser is enabled. Then check System Settings → Sound → Input: pick the right device and watch the input level meter while speaking. If it doesn't move there, the problem is hardware or connection, not the browser.
The test passes but an app still can't hear you
This is the most common case, and it means your hardware is fine. Apps keep their own input-device setting: in Zoom check Settings → Audio, in Teams check Settings → Devices, in Discord check User Settings → Voice & Video. Make sure the app points at the same device that passed this test, and that the OS-level app permission (see above) includes that app — desktop apps need their own microphone permission separate from the browser's.
Signal is very quiet or crackly
A peak below −40 dB is too quiet for calls. Raise the OS input level first, then get closer to the mic. Crackling usually means a failing cable or USB port; unplug and reseat, or try a different port. On Bluetooth headsets, low quality plus a sample rate of 8–16 kHz in the readout means the headset is in hands-free mode — reconnect it or disable "handsfree telephony" to restore quality.
Frequently asked questions
Is my voice recorded or uploaded anywhere?
No. The test runs entirely in your browser using the Web Audio API. The 5-second playback clip is held in memory on your device and is discarded when you leave the page. Nothing is sent to any server.
Why does the waveform move but people still can't hear me in calls?
The browser test proves your mic and OS are working, so the problem is inside the app. Check the app's own input device setting (Zoom, Teams, and Discord each keep their own), and make sure the app has microphone permission in your OS privacy settings.
What does the dB number mean, and what is a good level?
It shows your current level in dBFS, where 0 is the maximum before clipping. Normal speech should peak roughly between −20 and −10 dB. Persistently below −40 dB means your signal is too quiet; raise the input level in your OS sound settings.
Why does my mic show as “Default” with no name?
Browsers hide device names until you grant microphone permission. Start the test and allow access, and the device picker will show the real names of every connected microphone.
Does this test work with Bluetooth and USB microphones?
Yes. Any microphone your operating system recognizes will appear in the device picker. Note that Bluetooth headsets often drop to a lower sample rate when the mic is active — the sample-rate readout will show it.