Mic test
Click Start mic test, allow microphone access, and say something. If the meter moves, your mic works — then record a five-second clip and play it back to hear exactly how you sound. Everything runs in your browser.
Your browser will ask for permission — that prompt is the first thing this test checks.
Runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is recorded or sent anywhere.
Mic works? Put it to use.
Chairkick records your screen and voice straight from the browser — no download, free for 14 days. Share a link instead of scheduling a meeting.
How to test your microphone online
The test works with built-in laptop mics, USB microphones, wired and Bluetooth headsets, and phone mics, in any modern browser.
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1.Start the test and allow access
Click "Start mic test" above. Your browser asks for microphone permission — if the prompt never appears, or the test says access is blocked, jump to the fixes below.
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2.Talk and watch the meter
Speak at your normal volume. The level meter and waveform should move with your voice and settle back when you stop.
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3.Record a five-second clip
Click "Record a 5-second test clip", say a sentence, and play it back. Use headphones if you can, so you hear the recording rather than the room.
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4.Compare your microphones
Switch inputs in the device menu — laptop mic, headset, USB mic — and record a clip with each. The difference is usually obvious within a sentence.
What your mic test results mean
The meter shows relative loudness, not an absolute decibel value. Use it to compare microphones and settings rather than chase a number.
| What you see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Meter moves with your voice, quiet when you stop | Your microphone works | Play back a clip to check the sound quality. |
| Meter flat, no error | The browser has a mic but hears nothing | Check the mute switch, the device menu, and your system's input device. |
| Meter barely moves | Input too quiet or mic too far away | Move closer and raise the input volume in your system's sound settings. |
| Meter always high, even in silence | Background noise or a hum | Turn off fans, move away from the computer, or try a headset mic. |
| Clip sounds muffled or like a phone call | Often a Bluetooth headset in hands-free mode | Try a wired headset or your computer's built-in mic. |
Like most video-call apps, the test asks your browser to apply echo cancellation, noise suppression, and automatic gain control, so the clip sounds close to what people hear in a call. Bluetooth headsets switch to a lower-quality, phone-style profile whenever their microphone is in use; that is a limit of the Bluetooth standard, not of your headset or computer.
Microphone not working? Fix it here.
Work through these in order. Most microphone problems are a blocked permission, a mute switch, or the wrong input selected.
Allow microphone access in your browser
- Chrome: click the camera/mic icon at the right end of the address bar and allow access, then reload. To review every site, open Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → Microphone.
- Edge: click the icon in the address bar, or open Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Site permissions → All sites, pick this site, and set Microphone to Allow.
- Safari on Mac: open Safari → Settings → Websites → Microphone and set this site to "Allow".
- Firefox: click the microphone icon in the address bar to clear a block, or open Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll to Permissions, and click Settings… next to Microphone.
- Work or school browser: if your organization manages Chrome, an administrator may have blocked the microphone, and you won't be able to change it yourself.
Check your operating system's settings
- Windows 11: Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone. Turn on "Microphone access" and "Let desktop apps access your microphone". Then open Settings → System → Sound and, under Input, choose the right microphone and check its input volume.
- macOS: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone — your browser must be switched on. Choose the input device and level under System Settings → Sound → Input.
- ChromeOS: Settings → Privacy and security → Privacy controls → turn on Microphone access, and make sure the mic isn't muted in the quick-settings tray. Recording on a Chromebook? Chairkick records screen and mic with no install.
- iPhone and Android: allow microphone access for your browser app in the phone's settings, then reload this page.
Microphone not detected at all?
Unplug and reconnect it, try a different USB port, and restart the browser so it re-scans devices. Headsets with a single combined jack need a combined port or an adapter. On Windows, if the mic doesn't appear in Sound settings, reinstalling the audio driver from Device Manager and restarting usually brings it back.
Meter moves, but calls and recordings are silent?
If this test works, your hardware and browser are fine — the problem is the other app's input setting. Most call and recording apps have their own microphone picker that can point at a different (or unplugged) device. Set it to the same microphone you selected here. On external mics, also check the physical mute switch and that it's plugged into the port you think it is.
Testing your mic for Zoom, Teams, or a recording
- Zoom: join the test meeting at zoom.us/test. It records a few seconds of your voice and plays it back, and checks your speakers.
- Microsoft Teams: open Settings → Devices to choose your microphone; the desktop app also offers "Make a test call".
- Windows: Settings → System → Sound has a built-in microphone test under your input device's properties.
- Screen recordings: Chairkick uses the same browser microphone you just tested, and can mix in a tab's sound too — see what screen recordings capture for audio.
Quick ways to sound better
- Get closer. A mic a hand's width or two from your mouth beats a better mic across the desk.
- Pick a soft room. Curtains, carpet, and a sofa absorb the echo that bare walls bounce back.
- Silence the fan. Laptop mics sit right next to the cooling fan and the keyboard; an external or headset mic avoids both.
- Wear headphones in calls. They stop your speakers from feeding back into the microphone.
Frequently asked questions
Is this mic test private?
Yes. The test runs entirely in your browser using its built-in microphone APIs. The level meter, waveform, and the optional 5-second clip never leave your device, and nothing is uploaded to any server.
How do I know if my microphone is working?
Start the test above, allow access, and speak. If the meter moves with your voice and the 5-second clip plays back clearly, your microphone, its drivers, and your browser are all working.
Why does my browser ask for permission?
Browsers require your explicit consent before any website can hear your microphone. Seeing that prompt is a good sign — it means the test is reaching your browser's microphone system correctly.
The meter doesn't move at all. What should I check first?
In order: the physical mute switch on your mic or headset, your system's input device (the test's device picker shows which mic the browser is using), browser permission (address-bar icon), and finally your operating system's microphone privacy setting.
Why does my Bluetooth headset sound worse when the mic is on?
Bluetooth headsets switch to a hands-free profile that carries mono, phone-quality audio whenever their microphone is active. For better sound, use a wired headset or a separate microphone and keep the Bluetooth headphones for listening.
How do I test my microphone on Windows or Mac without installing anything?
Use this page — it needs no download or account. Windows also has a microphone test under Settings → System → Sound, and on a Mac the input level meter lives in System Settings → Sound → Input.
Does this work on phones and tablets?
Yes — the test works in mobile Safari and Chrome the same way. Your phone will show its own permission prompt the first time.
Can I test how my voice sounds in a real recording?
The 5-second clip above gives you a quick preview. For the real thing, record a short screen recording with Chairkick — the 14-day free trial needs no credit card, runs in the same browser you just tested, and uses the exact same microphone.
Your mic is ready. Now say something with it.
Record your screen and voice in the browser, then share a link that anyone can watch — no downloads for you, no sign-ups for viewers.