A mic test checks whether your microphone is sending sound to the computer and how loud that sound is. This one shows a live input level in dBFS with a waveform, marks sound as detected above −50 dBFS, and lets you record 5 seconds and play it back. Audio is processed only in your browser and is never uploaded.
| What you see | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Browser never asks for permission, or "access was blocked" | The site or the operating system blocks the microphone | Reset the site permission, then check Windows or macOS microphone privacy |
| "No sound for 5 seconds" with the bar flat | Wrong device, mute switch, or another app holding the mic | Pick another device in the list, check the headset mute, close Zoom or Discord |
| Level moves but stays below the −50 mark | Mic is working but very quiet or far away | Raise the input volume in the operating system, move closer |
| Speech reaches the top of the bar near 0 dBFS | Input is too hot and may distort | Lower the input volume and listen to a recording |
| Recording plays back noisy or muffled | Mic quality, placement or a Bluetooth headset in hands-free mode | Compare with another mic; try a wired headset |
How to test your microphone online
Press Start mic test, allow access, and speak. If the status changes to Sound detected, your mic works.
The big number is the current level in dBFS (decibels relative to full scale). 0 dBFS is the loudest a digital signal can be, so every reading is negative: −20 is louder than −40. The bar covers −60 to 0, and the line at −50 is our detection threshold. The small marker shows the recent peak, and the results list Peak input, Current input, the device name, sample rate and channel count.
Press Record 5 s, talk normally, then play it back. Hearing yourself is the best check of quality: hum, hiss or clipping are easier to hear than to see on a meter. The recording disappears when you close the page.
Why the level is different from Zoom, Discord or Teams
This test turns off echo cancellation, noise suppression and automatic gain control, so you see what the microphone really sends.
Call apps leave those filters on. Automatic gain raises a quiet mic and lowers a loud one, and noise suppression removes steady background sound. That is why a mic that looks quiet here can sound fine on a call, and why fan or keyboard noise you hear in our recording may vanish in Discord. If the mic is silent here but works in an app, check the device picker: the app may be using a different input.
Microphone not working on Windows 11
Check privacy first, then the input device. In Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone, turn on Microphone access, Let apps access your microphone, and Let desktop apps access your microphone. Browsers such as Chrome and Edge are desktop apps, so that last switch matters.
Then open Settings > System > Sound and under Input choose the microphone you want. Its page has an Input volume slider and a Test your microphone button. If the device is missing, it may be disabled under More sound settings on the Recording tab.
Mic test on Mac
Allow your browser in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone. If Chrome or Safari is switched off there, no website can hear you, and you may need to quit and reopen the browser after turning it on.
To choose the mic, go to System Settings > Sound, click Input and select the device. The built-in one is listed as your Mac model's microphone. Drag the input volume slider if the level is low.
How to reset microphone permission in the browser
In Chrome, click the icon at the left end of the address bar, set Microphone to Allow and reload. You can also review every site in Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Microphone. In Safari, choose Safari > Settings for This Website and set Microphone to Allow.
For a laptop's built-in mic, remember it sits near the keyboard and fan, so typing noise is normal. For a headset, check the inline mute switch and that the plug or dongle is the device selected in the list.
FAQ
What is a good mic level in dBFS?
Normal speech should move the bar well above the −50 dBFS detection mark without reaching 0 dBFS, which is the maximum and can distort. Play back a 5-second recording to judge it by ear.
Is my voice recorded or uploaded?
No. Sound is processed in your browser only. The 5-second recording stays on the page and is gone when you close it.
Why does my mic test show "No sound yet"?
The level has not passed −50 dBFS. Check the mute switch, pick another device from the list, and make sure no other app is holding the microphone.
Can I test a Bluetooth headset mic?
Yes. Using the mic switches most Bluetooth headsets to a hands-free mode, so playback through the same headset may sound lower quality while the test runs.
Sources: MDN Web Docs: MediaDevices.getUserMedia() · W3C Web Audio API (AnalyserNode) · Microsoft Support: Turn on app permissions for your microphone in Windows · Apple Support: Control access to the microphone on Mac · Apple Support: Change the sound input settings on Mac · Google Chrome Help: Use your camera and microphone in Chrome · Updated 2026-10-14