Device tests · Audio
Microphone Test
This microphone test checks, in a few seconds, whether your mic is detected and actually picking up sound. Press “Start Microphone Test”, allow access, and speak: the live level meter moves as your voice reaches the browser.
It works with built-in laptop microphones, USB microphones, headsets and Bluetooth earbuds. Audio is analysed locally in your browser and is never recorded or uploaded.
- About 10 seconds
- Live level meter
- Microphone permission required
Microphone input
Ready to test your microphone
Press start, allow microphone access, then speak or tap near the mic.
Audio is processed locally in your browser. Nothing is recorded, saved or uploaded.
Ready to test your microphone
Result
- Status
- Ready to test your microphone
- Sound detected
- —
- Peak level
- —
Your result
What your result means
“Microphone working” means sound from your input device reached this page above a quiet threshold. The full chain — microphone, cable or Bluetooth link, operating system and browser — delivered audio.
“No audio detected” means the microphone opened but stayed silent or near-silent. That usually points to a mute switch, the wrong input device or a very low input volume rather than broken hardware.
- The meter shows relative loudness on a 0–100% scale derived from the signal level in dBFS; it is not a calibrated decibel (SPL) reading.
- A meter that often hits the top while you speak normally suggests the input gain is set too high and may clip.
- The test confirms that sound arrives; it does not judge audio quality, noise or how you sound to others.
Procedure
How the test works
- 01
Start the test
Press “Start Microphone Test”. Nothing is requested before you click.
- 02
Allow access
Your browser asks for microphone permission. Choose Allow.
- 03
Speak
Talk at normal volume for a few seconds and watch the level meter move.
- 04
Read the result
After about 10 seconds, or when you press Finish, the test shows whether sound was detected.
Methodology
How Testpartout measures this
The method below is exactly what the code on this page does — nothing is described that is not implemented.
What the implementation does
- The microphone is opened with getUserMedia only after you press start, with echo cancellation, noise suppression and automatic gain turned off so the raw level is shown.
- The stream feeds a Web Audio AnalyserNode. It is never connected to your speakers and never passed to a recorder.
- On every animation frame the root-mean-square of the waveform is converted to dBFS and mapped to the meter from -60 dBFS (0%) to 0 dBFS (100%).
- Sound counts as detected when the level stays above about -45 dBFS for several consecutive frames, so a single click or glitch is ignored.
- When the test ends, fails, or you leave the page, every track is stopped and the audio context is closed, which releases the microphone and its browser indicator.
Limits of a browser measurement
- Levels depend on microphone sensitivity, system input volume and distance, so they cannot be compared between devices.
- Some systems apply their own processing that the browser cannot switch off.
- A web page cannot tell where silence comes from — a mute switch, a driver or a faulty capsule all look the same.
Privacy
What happens to your data
This section describes the behaviour of the code on this page, not an intention.
- Audio is processed locally in your browser, in memory, only while the test is listening.
- Nothing is recorded, saved to your device or sent to any server.
- The microphone name shown in the result comes from your browser and is displayed only on this page.
- Microphone access is released as soon as the test ends or you leave the page.
Troubleshooting
If the test does not behave as expected
No permission prompt appeared
You may have blocked the site earlier. Open the site settings from the address bar, allow the microphone and reload.
Permission denied
Allow the microphone for this site in the browser, and for the browser itself in your operating system's privacy settings.
The meter does not move
Check the mute switch on your headset, unmute the input in system settings and make sure the correct input device is selected.
Wrong microphone is used
The browser uses your default input. Change it in the system sound settings or in the browser's site settings, then test again.
Microphone busy
Another app may hold the microphone. Close call or recording apps and try again.
Bluetooth headset is silent
Some headsets switch to a separate hands-free mode for the mic. Reconnect it and select its headset input.
Factors
Factors that affect the level you see
The meter reflects your whole audio chain, not just the microphone itself.
Input volume
The system input gain scales everything the meter shows.
Distance
Moving closer to the microphone raises the level noticeably.
Mic type
Headset, laptop and studio microphones have very different sensitivity.
Background noise
Fans and traffic can keep the meter moving even when you are silent.
System processing
Some drivers add their own noise suppression or gain.
Bluetooth mode
Hands-free Bluetooth profiles reduce quality and may lower the level.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- How do I test my microphone online?
- Press “Start Microphone Test”, allow microphone access when the browser asks, and speak. If the level meter moves and the result says “Microphone working”, your mic is sending sound to the browser.
- Is this mic test private?
- Yes. Audio is analysed locally in your browser and is never recorded, stored or uploaded. Access is released when the test ends or you leave the page.
- Why does it say no audio detected?
- The microphone opened but stayed silent. Check the mute switch, the system input volume and that the correct input device is selected, then speak closer to the microphone.
- Why was microphone permission denied?
- Either the browser prompt was dismissed or blocked, or the operating system does not allow your browser to use the microphone. Allow it in the site settings and in your system privacy settings, then reload.
- Does this work with headsets and Bluetooth earbuds?
- Yes, as long as the device is the selected input. Bluetooth headsets sometimes need to be reconnected or switched to their headset microphone input.
- Does the meter show decibels?
- It shows relative digital level, not calibrated sound pressure. It is useful for confirming that sound arrives and roughly how loud it is, not for measuring noise in dB SPL.
- Does it work on iPhone and Android?
- Yes, in current mobile browsers. Open the page in your main browser rather than an in-app browser, which may block microphone access.
Found an issue with this test? Report it.