peartools

Mic Test

Check that your microphone works in a few seconds. Start the test, talk, and watch the level move. The test records a short clip while you talk, so you can play it back and hear how you sound. Everything runs in your browser, so your audio never leaves your device.

Your microphones are listed here once you allow access

Allow microphone access when your browser asks.

Input level
Offx

A clip records on its own when the test starts.

About the mic test

What the mic test does

The mic test opens your microphone through the browser and shows the sound it picks up as a scrolling sound history and a level bar. If they move when you talk, the microphone is working and your browser can use it. The test also tells you when the mic is sending nothing but silence or when the sound is so loud it distorts, and it lets you record a short clip so you can hear yourself the way other people will.

Why use our mic test

  • ·Free. No signup, no paywall, no limits.
  • ·Private. Sound is analyzed on your device and never uploaded.
  • ·Clear answers. A plain message tells you if sound is coming through, if the mic is silent, or if it is too loud.
  • ·Any microphone. Switch between your built-in mic, a USB mic, or a headset.
  • ·Hear yourself. Record a clip, play it back, and download it if you want.

How to test your microphone online

  1. 1

    Start the test

    Click Start mic test. Your browser will ask for permission to use the microphone. Click Allow. If you do not see the prompt, look for a microphone or site settings icon next to the address bar.

  2. 2

    Speak and watch the meter

    Talk at your normal volume. The bars in the sound history and the input level meter should move as you speak. Once sound comes through, a green message confirms that your microphone is working.

  3. 3

    Pick the right microphone

    If nothing moves, or the Microphone list at the top does not show the mic you meant to use, choose another one from that list. The test restarts with that device right away.

  4. 4

    Record and listen back

    A clip starts recording as soon as the test starts. Say a few sentences, and it stops on its own when you pause (or after 30 seconds). Play the clip to hear how you sound to other people, then download or delete it. Click Record again to make a new clip.

Microphone not working? Check these first

Most mic problems come down to one of a few settings. Work through them in order and run the test again after each one.

  1. Browser permission. If the test says access was blocked, click the site settings or lock icon next to the address bar, set Microphone to Allow, and click Try again.
  2. System privacy settings. Your operating system can block the browser even when the site is allowed. On Windows 11, open Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone and make sure microphone access is on for desktop apps. On a Mac, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and turn on your browser.
  3. The wrong microphone. Laptops often default to the built-in mic even when a headset is plugged in. Check the Microphone list at the top of the test and pick the right device.
  4. A mute switch or muted input. If the test says the mic is sending complete silence, look for a mute button on the headset cable, the mic, or your keyboard. Then check the input volume in your sound settings (Settings > System > Sound on Windows, System Settings > Sound > Input on a Mac).
  5. Another app is using it. If the test says the mic could not be started, close apps that might be holding it, such as Zoom, Teams, Discord, or OBS, and try again.
  6. It works here but not in another app. Then the mic itself is fine. Open that app's audio settings and choose the same microphone that is selected in the Microphone list on this page.

How to read the mic level meter

The input level is shown in decibels (dB) below the loudest sound your microphone can capture. 0 dB is the top of the scale, so normal readings are negative numbers. The bar covers -60 dB to 0 dB, and anything quieter than -60 dB shows as Silent.

When you speak at a normal volume, the bar should move well into the scale. If it stays under about -40 dB while you talk, you will sound quiet to other people. Move closer to the mic or raise its input volume in your sound settings. If the bar turns red, your voice is hitting 0 dB and will sound distorted, so move back or lower the input volume. The sound history marks those moments with red bars, so you can see which words were too loud.

Automatic gain control changes the level for you, raising quiet speech and lowering loud speech. If you want to see how loud your microphone really is, open Browser sound processing at the bottom of the test, turn it off, and test again.

Echo cancellation, noise suppression, and gain control

Your browser can clean up microphone sound before a website receives it. These three switches are on by default in this test, which is close to what most web call apps use. Changing one restarts the test with the new setting.

  • ·Echo cancellation removes sound from your own speakers that the microphone picks up again, so the other person does not hear an echo of themselves.
  • ·Noise suppression lowers steady background sounds like fans, air conditioning, and computer hum.
  • ·Automatic gain control evens out your volume by turning quiet speech up and loud speech down.

Record one clip with all three on and another with all three off to hear the difference. If your voice sounds choppy or robotic in calls, noise suppression may be cutting into it.

When to test your microphone

  • ·Before a video call or interview. Check your mic a few minutes before a Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet call so you are not the person saying 'can you hear me?' when it starts.
  • ·After plugging in a new mic or headset. Make sure your computer picked up the new device and that it is the one actually being used, not the built-in laptop mic.
  • ·Before streaming or recording. Streamers, podcasters, and YouTubers can check the level and listen to a short clip before going live, so the audio is not too quiet or distorted.
  • ·Gaming and Discord voice chat. If friends say you sound muffled or they cannot hear you, test here first to find out whether the problem is the mic itself or the app's settings.
  • ·Online classes. Teachers and students can check their setup before a lesson, especially on a shared or school computer.

More tools for calls and streaming

Frequently asked questions

How do I test my microphone?
Click Start mic test on this page and allow microphone access when your browser asks. Then talk at your normal volume. If the sound history and the input level bar move, your microphone is working. The test also records a short clip while you talk, so you can play it back and hear how you sound.
Why is my mic not working?
The most common reasons are that the browser was not given permission, the wrong microphone is selected, the mic or headset has a mute switch turned on, or the input is muted in your computer's sound settings. Another app such as Zoom or Discord can also be holding on to the mic. The troubleshooting section on this page walks through each one.
Why does the test say my mic is sending complete silence?
The microphone is connected and the browser can open it, but every sample it sends is zero. This usually means a hardware mute button or switch is on, or the input is muted or turned all the way down in your system sound settings. Some laptops also have a microphone mute key on the keyboard.
How do I allow microphone access in my browser?
Click the site settings or lock icon next to the address bar, find Microphone, and set it to Allow. Then reload the page or click Try again. On a Mac you may also need to allow your browser in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone. On Windows, check Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
Can I hear myself live during the test?
No. The test does not play your voice through your speakers while you talk, because that can cause a loud feedback squeal. Instead, the test records a short clip while you talk. Play it back with headphones or speakers once it stops.
How loud should my microphone be?
When you speak at a normal volume, the input level bar should move well past the first third of the scale. If it stays under about -40 dB while you talk, the mic is too quiet or too far away. If the bar turns red, the sound is hitting the top of the scale and will distort, so move back or lower the input volume.
What do echo cancellation, noise suppression, and automatic gain control do?
They are clean-up steps your browser can apply before a website gets the sound. Echo cancellation removes sound from your speakers that the mic picks up again. Noise suppression lowers steady background noise like fans. Automatic gain control raises quiet speech and lowers loud speech. Turn them off to hear what your microphone picks up on its own.
What format is the test recording saved in?
Recordings are saved as WebM audio. Browsers that cannot record WebM save an M4A (MP4 audio) file instead. The clip stays in the page until you download or delete it, and it is gone when you close the tab.
Is my audio uploaded or saved anywhere?
No. The mic test runs entirely in your browser. Sound is analyzed on your own device and nothing is sent to a server. Click Stop test to release the microphone at any time.
Does the mic test work on phones?
Yes. It works in the browser on Android phones, iPhones, and tablets, as long as you allow microphone access. Some phones only list one microphone, so the Microphone list may have a single entry.