Mic test with playback

Record a short clip, then play it back. It’s the most honest way to find out how you sound to other people.

Your browser will ask for permission. Choose Allow to start.

Your audio never leaves your device.

Your mic is working

Listening…

–∞ dB

WaitingSay something at your normal speaking volume.

Microphone

Something went wrong

See how to fix it

Record and play back

Hear exactly how you sound to others.

Your recording will show up here.

Hear yourself live

Plays your mic through your speakers or headphones.

Use headphones to avoid feedback. Speakers can cause a loud squeal.

Your microphone

Microphone: —
Sample rate: —
Channels: —
Echo cancellation: —
Noise suppression: —
Auto gain control: —
Estimated latency: —
Level: —

Results are approximate. They show what your browser reports, and can differ from what another app or the people on your call hear.

Hear what everyone else hears

A moving level meter proves your microphone works. It doesn’t tell you whether you sound clear, muffled, distant or buzzy. Playback does. Record five seconds of normal speech, listen with headphones or speakers, and you’ll know in one pass whether your setup is ready.

The recording is made and stored in your browser’s memory only. It isn’t uploaded, and it disappears when you close or reload the page.

How to record and play back your mic

Start the test
Press “Test my mic” and allow microphone access. Check that the meter moves when you talk.
Press “Record 5 seconds”
A ring counts down while you speak. Use your normal voice and your normal distance from the mic, the way you would on a real call.
Say something useful
Try: “Testing, one, two, three. Peter picked a pack of pickled peppers. She sells seashells.” The P and S sounds reveal popping and harshness quickly.
Press play and listen
Listen once for volume and once for quality. Headphones make problems far easier to hear than laptop speakers.
Adjust and record again
Change one thing at a time, such as distance, input volume or a different microphone, then record again and compare.

What to listen for in your recording

Volume: you should be easy to hear without turning your speakers up. If you’re faint, move closer or raise the input volume.
Distortion: crackling or a harsh, fuzzy edge on loud words means the signal is too hot. Lower the input volume or back away.
Room echo: a hollow, bathroom-like sound comes from hard walls and distance. Getting closer to the mic helps more than anything else.
Popping: thumps on P and B sounds are bursts of air hitting the mic. Angle the mic slightly to the side of your mouth.
Background noise: a steady hiss, hum or fan noise under your voice. Move away from the source, or leave noise suppression switched on.
Choppiness: words that cut in and out often point to a weak Bluetooth connection or aggressive noise suppression.

Why you sound different on a recording

Almost everyone is surprised by their recorded voice. When you speak, you hear yourself partly through the bones of your skull, which adds low frequencies that a microphone never picks up. The recording is closer to what other people hear, so judge it for clarity and volume, not for whether it matches the voice in your head.

Questions and answers

How long can I record?

Each recording is 5 seconds, which is enough to judge volume and clarity. You can record again as many times as you like. Each new recording replaces the previous one.

Where is my recording saved?

Nowhere permanent. The clip is held in your browser’s memory for playback and is never uploaded. Closing or reloading the tab deletes it.

Why can’t I hear anything when I press play?

Check that your speakers or headphones aren’t muted and that the level meter moved while you were recording. If the meter stayed flat, the microphone wasn’t picking you up. On an iPhone, also turn up the media volume with the side buttons.

Why does my recording sound quiet or muffled?

Usually the mic is too far away, the input volume is low, or a different microphone is active, such as a laptop’s built-in mic instead of your headset. Check the device name in the “Your microphone” panel first.

Will my recording sound the same on Zoom or Discord?

Close, but not identical. Each app applies its own noise suppression and compression. A clean recording here is a strong sign that you’ll sound good there too.

Microphone test