How to read your result
The meter shows how loud your microphone signal is, in dBFS (decibels relative to full scale). 0 dB is the loudest a digital signal can be. Everything below it is a negative number, so −20 dB is louder than −40 dB.
| Verdict | Average level while you speak | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No sound | below −60 dB | Speak or tap the mic. Check the mute switch and the selected microphone. |
| Quiet | −60 to −40 dB | Move closer or raise the input volume in your system settings. |
| Good level | −40 to −10 dB | Nothing. This is comfortable for calls and recordings. |
| Loud | above −10 dB | Move back a little or lower the input volume. |
| Too loud, distorting | peaks reach −1 dB | Lower the input volume. Sound that hits 0 dB gets cut off and sounds harsh. |
The thin line on the meter is the recent peak. It holds for a moment so you can see short spikes, like a laugh or a cough.
Record 5 seconds to hear yourself the way others will. The recording stays in this tab’s memory and is gone when you leave the page.
Noise reduction and echo reduction are the same filters video call apps use. Turn them off to hear your raw microphone, or on to hear what a call will sound like.
Troubleshooting
The browser didn’t ask for permission, or I clicked Block
Your browser remembers the choice for this site. Click the icon to the left of the address bar, allow the microphone, then reload the page. The test panel shows the exact steps for your browser if access is blocked.
“No microphone found”
- Check the cable or Bluetooth connection, and that a hardware mute switch is off.
- On Windows, open Settings, then System, then Sound, and make sure the microphone under Input is enabled.
- On a Mac, open System Settings, then Sound, then Input, and choose your microphone.
The meter moves but the level is very low
Raise the input volume in your system sound settings, not just in the app. A headset microphone sounds clearest about two fingers from the corner of your mouth.
“Your microphone is busy”
Another app is holding the microphone. Close video call apps, recording software or other browser tabs that use it, then try again.
It works here but not in my call app
Check which microphone the app has selected. Many apps keep their own setting that is separate from the system default.
Windows and Mac privacy settings
Operating systems can block the microphone for every browser at once.
- Windows: Settings, then Privacy and security, then Microphone. Turn on Microphone access and Let desktop apps access your microphone.
- macOS: System Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Microphone. Turn on your browser, then quit and reopen it.
- iPhone and iPad: Settings, then Apps, then your browser, then turn on Microphone.
- Android: Settings, then Apps, then your browser, then Permissions, then Microphone.
Privacy
The sound from your microphone is measured on your device and never sent to a server. The 5 second recording is kept in memory only and is discarded when you close or leave the page. How it works