Mic Test
Check that your microphone works: see the live input level, record a short clip and play it back. Fix mic problems in Windows, Mac, Discord and Zoom.
How to test
- 01Press Start and allow microphone access.
- 02Speak normally. The level bar should move with your voice.
- 03Press Record to capture five seconds, then play it back to hear how you sound.
- 04Pick another microphone from the list if you have more than one.
Reading the level meter
The meter shows your input level in dBFS: decibels below the loudest signal digital audio can carry (0 dBFS). Normal speech at a normal distance usually sits around −30 to −12 dBFS, the middle of the bar. A level that keeps hitting the top is clipping, which sounds harsh and distorted; a level near the bottom means a quiet, noisy recording.
The test reads the raw microphone signal, with noise suppression and automatic gain turned off, so you hear what the microphone itself picks up.
Why a mic works here but not in an app
Each app picks its own input device, and Discord, Zoom and Teams don't always follow the system default. If your voice moves the meter here, choose the same microphone in the app's audio settings. Push-to-talk and input-sensitivity settings in Discord can also make a working mic seem silent.
Tips for a better recording
- Keep the microphone a hand's width or two from your mouth.
- Set the input volume so loud words stay out of the red.
- Record the five-second clip in your usual room: echo and fan noise are easier to hear in playback than live.
Your mic works. What next?
A working microphone is all you need for voice tests that run in the browser. Read a short passage to find out how deep your voice is, measured in Hz against adult norms, or sing ten notes back to check whether you sing in tune. Both keep no recording.
To measure how loud a room or a device is, in decibels, Decibel is our sound level meter for iPhone.
What your result means
The bar moves when you speak
Your microphone works.
If an app still can't hear you, pick the same mic in that app's settings.
Permission blocked
The browser or your OS isn't allowing microphone access.
Allow it in the address bar, then check the OS privacy settings below.
The bar doesn't move at all
The wrong input is selected, the mic is muted, or it's not connected.
Pick another mic from the list, check mute switches and cables.
The bar hits the top and the playback distorts
The input level is too high (clipping).
Lower the input volume in your OS sound settings.
The playback is very quiet or noisy
Input gain too low, or the mic is too far away.
Raise the input volume and move closer to the mic.
How to fix it
Windows
- Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone: allow access for desktop apps and your browser.
- Settings → System → Sound → Input: pick your microphone and set its volume.
- Check the mute switch on your headset or the mic key on a laptop.
Mac
- System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone: allow your browser.
- System Settings → Sound → Input: pick your microphone and raise the input volume.
Discord, Zoom and Teams
- Discord: User Settings → Voice & Video → Input Device, then check Input Sensitivity.
- Zoom: Settings → Audio → choose the microphone and press Test Mic.
- Teams: Settings → Devices → Microphone.
Browser
- Click the icon in the address bar and set the microphone to Allow.
- Reload the page after changing permissions.
Questions
Is my recording uploaded?
No. The level meter and the recording run in your browser. The clip lives in memory and is deleted when you leave the page.
Why does my mic work here but not in Discord or Zoom?
Each app picks its own input device. Choose the same microphone you see working here in the app's audio settings.
What's a good mic level?
Normal speech should move the bar to about the middle, with loud words staying out of the red.
Can I test a headset mic?
Yes. Plug it in, then choose it from the microphone list.