Level meter in dB
A peak meter from -60 to 0 dB with a peak hold marker and a dashed clipping zone, plus a plain message: good level, too quiet, clipping or no signal at all.
Mic Test: Check Your Microphone Online
Test your microphone in the browser with a live level meter, waveform and a five-second playback. Free, nothing uploaded.
Test your mic in three steps
No download and no account. The microphone test runs right here on the page.
- 01
Allow microphone access
Press Test my microphone and click Allow when your browser asks. If you have more than one mic, pick the right one from the menu above the meter.
- 02
Speak and watch the meter
Talk at your normal volume. The yellow bar and the waveform move with your voice, and the message above them tells you whether the level is good, too quiet or clipping.
- 03
Record and listen back
Record five seconds and play them through your speakers or headphones. That is how you sound on Discord, Zoom or in a recording, so you can fix the setup before it matters.
More than a yes or no
A mic check that tells you what is wrong, not just whether a signal arrives.
Five-second playback
Record a short clip and hear it back at once. Hiss, hum, a muffled sound or room echo are easier to hear in a recording than while you talk.
Raw signal or call processing
Switch noise suppression, echo cancellation and auto gain on or off and hear the difference. Calls use the processing, recordings sound better without it.
Every input and its details
Choose between built-in, USB, headset and Bluetooth mics, and see the device name, sample rate, channels and which processing the browser actually applied.
An online mic test that stays on your device
This microphone test uses the same browser feature that Discord, Zoom, Google Meet and Teams use in the browser: it asks for microphone access, and once you allow it, the audio is measured right on your computer or phone. Nothing is sent to a server. The level meter, the waveform and the five-second recording all live in this browser tab and are gone when you close it.
Because it works like a call, a mic test here tells you how other people will hear you. If the meter moves and the playback sounds clear, your mic, its cable or Bluetooth link, the system settings and the browser permission all work. If one of them fails, the message above the meter points at the likely cause.
Microphone not working? Check these in order
Start with permission. If the browser shows that access is blocked, click the lock or settings icon next to the web address, allow the microphone and reload. On Windows, open Settings, Privacy and security, Microphone, and make sure apps and desktop apps may use it. On a Mac, go to System Settings, Privacy and Security, Microphone and switch your browser on.
Next, the input. Laptops, webcams and headsets each bring their own microphone, and the system does not always pick the one you speak into. Choose it from the menu above the meter and watch whether the bar moves. Still nothing? Look for a mute switch on the headset cable or the mic itself, check that the plug sits fully in the right jack, and close other apps that might hold the microphone, such as Zoom, OBS or a game.
If the meter moves but the level is very low, raise the input volume in your system sound settings or the gain knob on your interface, and move closer. A mic about a hand width from your mouth picks up your voice instead of the room.
What the dB level means
The meter shows the peak level in dBFS, decibels relative to full scale. 0 dB is the loudest value a digital signal can hold, so every reading is negative, and the closer to 0, the louder. Below 0 dB there is room to spare. At 0 dB the waveform is cut off, which sounds harsh and cannot be repaired afterwards.
For voice, aim for peaks between about -18 and -6 dB. That is loud enough to stand clear of background noise and leaves headroom for a laugh or a shout. The table shows how the test sorts the readings.
| Reading | Peak level | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| No signal | below -60 dB | Nothing reaches the browser. Check the input, the mute switch and the permission. |
| Very quiet | -60 to -40 dB | Your voice is barely there. Move closer or raise the input gain. |
| Good | -40 to -6 dB | Clear speech. For recordings, peaks around -12 dB are a safe target. |
| Hot | -6 to -1 dB | Loud passages are close to the limit. Back off a little. |
| Clipping | -1 to 0 dB | The signal is cut off and distorts. Lower the gain or move back. |
Mic test for Discord, streaming and recording vocals
Voice chat and recording want different things. Discord, Zoom and Meet clean up your signal with noise suppression, echo cancellation and automatic gain, which keeps calls quiet and even but can make a voice sound thin or pumping. For podcasts, streams and vocals on a beat, the raw signal of a good mic is usually better. Flip the raw signal switch and record both versions to hear the difference.
Once your mic sounds right, put it to work. The beat maker button opens a studio with a hip hop beat already running, where you can record vocals over it in your browser, alone or with friends in the same session.
For music teachers
Check every microphone before a recording lesson
Before the class records raps, songs or podcasts, students open this page and check their laptop or headset mic in a minute, without a login. Make a Beat then gives you a whole classroom: students join with a code and their name, no email addresses, and you set assignments, listen to what they hand in and grade it. GDPR, FERPA and COPPA ready, servers in Germany, and every school licence starts with a free trial.
Questions about the mic test
How do I test my mic?
Press Test my microphone, allow access when your browser asks, and speak. The yellow meter moves and the waveform draws your voice if the mic works. Then record five seconds and play them back to hear exactly how you sound to other people on a call.
Why does the mic test not hear anything?
Usually the wrong input is selected or the mic is muted. Pick your microphone in the menu above the meter, check the mute switch on the headset or cable, and make sure the system input volume is not at zero. On Windows, also allow desktop browsers to use the microphone in the privacy settings.
How do I allow microphone access in my browser?
Click the lock or settings icon left of the web address, set Microphone to Allow and reload the page. In Chrome you can also open Settings, Privacy and security, Site settings, Microphone. On a Mac, check System Settings, Privacy and Security, Microphone, and make sure your browser is switched on there.
Is this mic test private?
Yes. The audio is analyzed inside your browser and never leaves your device. Nothing is uploaded, stored or sent to a server, and the test recording disappears as soon as you close or reload the page. Microphone access ends the moment you press Stop test.
What is a good microphone level?
Aim for speech that peaks between about -18 and -6 dB on the meter. That leaves headroom for laughs and loud words without clipping. If your peaks stay below -40 dB you are too quiet, and if the meter reaches the dashed zone at the right end, turn the gain down.
Why does my mic sound quiet on Discord or Zoom?
Most often the input gain is low or the mic is too far from your mouth. Raise the input level in your system sound settings, move the mic to about a hand width away, and check that voice apps do not lower it automatically. Run this test again to compare the level before and after.
What does the raw signal switch do?
It turns off the browser processing that calls use: noise suppression, echo cancellation and automatic gain. With it off you hear your voice the way Discord, Zoom or Meet usually send it. With it on you hear what the microphone itself picks up, which is what matters for recording vocals and podcasts.
Can I test a mic on my phone?
Yes. The test works in Safari on iPhone and iPad and in Chrome on Android. Allow microphone access when the browser asks. Phones pick the built-in microphone unless a headset is plugged in or connected over Bluetooth, and the menu lists every input the phone reports.
Does it work with USB, Bluetooth and headset microphones?
Yes. Any microphone your computer or phone recognizes appears in the menu, including USB mics, audio interfaces, gaming headsets, webcams and AirPods. Bluetooth headsets often switch to a lower call quality while the mic is in use, so the sample rate in the details can drop to 16 or 24 kHz.
Your mic works. Now record something
Open the beat maker with a hip hop beat already playing and record your vocals over it, right in your browser.