How to test your microphone
- Press Start mic test. Your browser asks for permission. Choose Allow.
- Speak, clap or tap near the microphone. The green bar shows the live level and the line below shows the sound wave.
- If you have more than one microphone, pick the one you want from the list. The test switches to it right away.
- Press Record 5 s clip, say a sentence, then play it back to hear exactly what others will hear.
The page does not touch your microphone until you press Start, and you can turn it off with Stop at any time. Everything runs inside your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
Reading the meter
The level is shown in dB relative to the loudest sound the microphone input can carry, so 0 dB is the top and quieter sounds are negative numbers. A quiet room usually sits far down the scale. Normal speech at arm's length should move the bar to the middle of the meter. The thin dark line marks the recent peak, and the bar turns red when the input gets close to the top, which can cause distortion.
- Bar barely moves: the microphone is too far away, muted, or its input volume is set low.
- Bar often turns red: lower the input volume or move back a little.
- Steady level with no one talking: background noise such as a fan, or a faulty cable.
Troubleshooting
Permission was blocked
Click the lock or settings icon at the left of the address bar, find Microphone and set it to Allow, then reload the page. If you chose Block earlier, the browser remembers it until you change it there.
On a PC
Open the system Settings, go to Privacy (or Privacy and security), then Microphone. Make sure microphone access is turned on and that your browser is allowed to use it. In the Sound settings, check that the right input device is selected and its volume is not at zero.
On a Mac
Open System Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Microphone, and turn on access for your browser. You may need to quit and reopen the browser afterwards. Input volume is under the Sound settings.
On a phone or tablet
Open the phone's Settings, find your browser app and allow the microphone. On some phones this is under Apps, then the browser, then Permissions. Also check that no other app, such as a call, is using the microphone.
Still silent?
- Look for a hardware mute switch on the headset or a mute key on the keyboard.
- Unplug the microphone, plug it back in, then press Stop and Start again.
- Close video call and recording apps, which can hold the microphone.
- Try another browser to see whether the problem is the browser or the device.
Tips for clearer sound
Keep the microphone a hand's width or two from your mouth, a little off to the side so breath does not hit it directly. Turn off fans and other noisy devices if the meter shows constant noise. Soft furnishings in a room reduce echo.
Setting up for a call? Check your camera with the webcam test and your audio output with the speaker test.
Questions
Is my voice recorded or uploaded?
No. The level meter works live in your browser. If you press Record, the 5 second clip is kept only in this page so you can play it back, and it disappears when you leave. Nothing is sent to us or anyone else.
Why does the meter not move?
Usually the browser is using a different microphone, the microphone is muted, or another app has taken it. Pick another device from the list, check the mute switch, and close video call apps. The troubleshooting steps above cover the system settings.
What level should I aim for?
For normal speech, the bar should move clearly but stay out of the red. Peaks around -12 to -6 dB are comfortable. If it hits 0 dB often, your voice may sound distorted.
Can I test a headset microphone?
Yes. Plug it in before you press Start, or press Stop and Start again after plugging it in, then choose it from the list.