Microphone Test Online
Check whether your mic actually works, how loud it is, whether it clips, and how much background noise it picks up. Free, in the browser, nothing uploaded.
Waveform and recording
The bars show live input. A healthy mic produces a spiky shape when you speak and a low flat line in silence.
How to test your microphone
- Click Start mic and allow the permission prompt.
- Pick the input device you want to test if you have more than one.
- Speak at your normal working distance and watch the meter.
- Stay quiet for a few seconds to read the noise floor.
- Click Record 10s, speak a sentence, then play it back.
How to read the levels
| Reading | What it means |
|---|---|
| -60 to -50 dB | Almost nothing is reaching the mic. Check mute, input gain and the selected device. |
| -40 to -25 dB | Reasonable noise floor for a quiet room. |
| -12 to -6 dB peaks | The healthy target range for clear speech. |
| 0 dB | Clipping. The waveform flattens and voices sound harsh. Move back or lower the gain. |
Microphone test limitations
- The reading is what your browser sees, which can differ from your operating system's mixer level.
- Some laptops apply noise suppression or automatic gain that a page cannot switch off.
- A Bluetooth headset can be connected while the page still records the built-in microphone. Re-select the device to be sure.
- Browser permission is per site. If the prompt was blocked earlier, reset permissions for this page and reload.
Privacy
Audio is analysed locally with the Web Audio API. Recordings are held in the page's memory for playback only. Nothing is uploaded, and closing the tab discards them.
FAQ
How do I test my microphone?
Click Start mic, allow the browser permission prompt, then speak normally. The level meter moves with your voice and the verdict updates with the reading.
What dB level should my microphone reach?
Speak at a normal distance and aim for peaks around -12 dB to -6 dB. Staying under -1 dB keeps you clear of clipping distortion.
What is microphone clipping?
Clipping happens when the input level reaches 0 dB, which flattens the peaks and makes speech sound harsh and crackly. Move further from the mic or lower the input gain.
Is my microphone recording sent to a server?
No. The audio is processed with the browser Web Audio API on your own device. Nothing is uploaded, stored or transmitted.
Why is my microphone level stuck at zero?
Check that you picked the right input device, that the system input volume is above zero, and that no other app such as a call is holding the microphone.