How to test your microphone
- Decide on Browser voice processing (echo cancellation, noise suppression). It is off by default; this setting can be changed only while the test is stopped.
- Press Start test. Your browser asks for permission to use the microphone. Choose Allow.
- Speak at your normal distance. The bar shows the Level (RMS) and a thin marker holds the recent peak for 1.5 s.
- Read the message under the meter, along with Peak (the highest level since you started) and Clips.
- If you have more than one microphone, pick another in the drop-down. The test restarts on that device. Press Stop when you are done.
What it does and when to use it
Use it before a job interview, class, podcast or game session to answer three questions: is the right microphone selected, can it hear me at all, and is the level sensible? The device line shows the microphone’s name, its sample rate and channel count, which helps when a headset and a webcam both offer a mic.
After the mic, check your output with the speaker and headphone tester. To hear how you actually sound, record a short clip with the voice recorder. To see which frequencies your microphone picks up, use the spectrum analyser.
How it works
The page asks the browser for a live microphone stream (getUserMedia) and connects it to a Web Audio analyser in this tab. For each screen frame it reads about 2,048 samples and works out the peak and the RMS level in dBFS, where 0 dBFS is the loudest a digital signal can be. The bar covers −60 to 0 dBFS. A clip is counted each time the peak goes above −0.1 dBFS. No audio is saved, and the meter only runs while the test is on.
What the readings mean
These messages come straight from the tool’s thresholds:
| Highest peak so far | Message |
|---|---|
| below −50 dBFS | No signal yet — speak, or check the device and its mute switch. |
| −50 to −30 dBFS | Working, but quiet — move closer or raise the input gain. |
| −30 to −0.1 dBFS | Your microphone is working. |
| above −0.1 dBFS | Signal is clipping — lower the input gain in your system settings. |
For example, if you talk from across the room and the peak stays at −40 dBFS, you get the “quiet” message; move closer and once a peak passes −30 dBFS it changes to “Your microphone is working.” Peak only resets when you start the test again.
Limits and tips
- The meter shows level, not quality. A working mic can still sound muffled or noisy; record a sample to judge that.
- Input gain is set in your operating system’s sound settings, not in the browser.
- If the meter moves but call apps hear nothing, check which device the app has selected.
- The test needs microphone permission each time on some browsers, especially in private windows.
Frequently asked questions
Is my voice recorded or sent anywhere?
The browser never asked for permission. What now?
It says the microphone is in use. Why?
What does Browser voice processing do?
Why are the device names missing?
How do we know nothing is uploaded? Test it yourself on the privacy proof page.