How to read your results
- Your microphone is working: the browser is getting a healthy signal. You're good for calls, recordings and dictation.
- Working, but quiet: the mic hears you, faintly. Move closer, point the mic at your mouth, or raise the input volume (steps below).
- Working, but clipping: the signal is hitting the top of the meter, which makes your voice sound crunchy. Turn the input level down or sit a little further back.
- We can't hear anything: the browser opened a microphone, but it's silent. Check for a mute switch on the mic or headset, then pick a different input from the list.
The sample rate and channel count tell you what the browser is receiving. 48 kHz mono is typical for headsets and laptop mics; USB microphones often report 44.1 or 48 kHz.
Microphone not working? Fixes that solve most cases
1. Allow the microphone in your browser
If you clicked Block by mistake, click the microphone or lock icon at the left of the address bar and set the microphone to Allow, then reload. In Chrome you can also check Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → Microphone.
2. Allow the browser in your system settings
On a Mac, open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone and switch on your browser. On Windows 11, open Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone and make sure microphone access and desktop app access are both on.
3. Pick the right input
Laptops, webcams, headsets and monitors can all show up as microphones. Use the “Switch microphone” list above to try each one. To change the default for every app, use System Settings → Sound → Input on a Mac, or Settings → System → Sound → Input on Windows.
4. Fix the level
Both places above have an input volume slider. If the meter barely moves, raise it; if the test says “clipping”, lower it. Some USB microphones and audio interfaces also have a physical gain knob.
5. Close other apps using the mic
Video-call apps can hold on to a microphone. Quit them, unplug and replug a USB mic, and run the test again.
If your mic works here but voice typing still doesn't, our guide to speech to text not working covers the dictation-specific fixes for iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows.
Getting a good sound for calls and dictation
- Keep the mic about a hand's width from your mouth and a little to the side.
- A wired or USB headset usually beats a laptop's built-in mic in a noisy room.
- Soft furnishings help: a bare room adds echo that the mic picks up.
- Speak at your normal volume. Raising your voice mostly adds clipping, not clarity.
Once your mic sounds right, try our speaking speed test to see how many words a minute you talk, or read how to use speech to text on a Mac.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test my mic online?
Click “Test my mic” above, allow microphone access when your browser asks, and speak. If the meter moves and the result says your microphone is working, it is. Record five seconds and play it back to check the sound quality as well.
Is this mic test private?
Yes. The level meter and the recording both run in your browser tab. No audio is sent to us or saved anywhere, and the clip disappears when you close the page.
Why does the mic test say it can't hear anything?
The browser has a microphone but it's sending silence. The usual causes are a hardware mute switch, the wrong input picked in the list above, or the input volume turned right down in your system's sound settings.
What is a good microphone level?
For speech, aim for the meter to bounce between roughly -25 and -10 dB when you talk at your normal volume, without touching the top. Much lower and people will struggle to hear you; hitting the top means the sound is distorting.
Does this mic test work on iPhone and Android?
Yes, in Safari on iPhone and Chrome on Android. Your phone will ask for microphone permission the first time. Phones usually have several microphones, and the browser picks one for you.
Can I test a USB microphone or headset?
Yes. Plug it in, start the test, and pick it from the "Switch microphone" list if it isn't already selected. The device name shown under the meter tells you which mic you're hearing.