How do I test my mic online?
Press Test my microphone and allow access when the browser asks. Speak at your normal volume and watch the level meter: the bar moves with your voice and the message above it rates the level as too quiet, good, or too loud. Then record 10 seconds and play it back to hear exactly how you sound.
Why is my microphone not working in the browser?
Three causes cover most cases. The browser or the site is blocked from the microphone, so allow it from the icon in the address bar. The operating system is blocking the browser, so turn the browser on under Privacy & Security > Microphone on a Mac or Privacy & security > Microphone on Windows. Or another app such as Zoom, Teams, or Discord is holding the mic, so close it and press Try again.
What is a good microphone level?
For spoken voice, aim for the green zone on the meter: an average speech level between -35 and -12 dBFS, with peaks staying below 0 dBFS. If the red Clipping warning appears, move back from the mic or lower the input volume. If the level reads too quiet, move closer or raise the input volume in your sound settings.
How do I test my headset or AirPods mic?
Connect the headset first, then choose it in the Microphone menu of the test. The label under the menu shows the device in use. Speak, check the meter, and record a short sample. A Bluetooth headset switches to a call-quality mode while its mic is in use, so the playback sounds narrower than music, and that is normal.
Should noise suppression and echo cancellation be on or off?
Leave them on for calls, where the browser cleans up fan noise and stops the other side hearing themselves. Turn them off to hear what the raw microphone picks up, or when you record a podcast or voice-over with a good mic and want to clean the audio yourself later. Turn auto gain control off to set a steady level by hand.
What sample rate and channels should my microphone use?
The sample rate and channel count come straight from the browser's report for the microphone track. 48,000 Hz and 44,100 Hz are both full quality for voice, and one channel (mono) is exactly right for speech, which is what most mics, headsets, and laptop mics record. Some browsers keep these values private and show Not reported.
How do I check my mic's background noise?
Stay silent and press Measure background noise. The test listens for 3 seconds and reports the noise floor in dBFS. Below -60 dBFS is a quiet room, -60 to -45 dBFS has audible hum or fan noise, and above -45 dBFS is noisy enough to hear behind your voice.
Is this mic test private?
Yes. The test runs entirely in your browser. Your audio stays on your device, and the 10-second recording is saved only if you press Download.
