Check The Mic

• Avoid the awkward "Can you hear me?" moment – Verify your audio works before joining important meetings, saving time and embarrassment.
• Catch problems early – Discover issues like muted mics, wrong device selection, or low volume before they matter.
• Test any microphone type – USB mics, Bluetooth headsets, webcam mics, gaming headphones, or built-in laptop microphones all work.
• Ensure privacy – All testing happens in your browser; we never record or transmit your voice.
• Get visual confirmation – The animated audio visualizer gives immediate feedback that your mic is working.
• Record and playback option – Hear exactly how you sound before your call starts.

1. Click the test button – Press "Check Microphone" at the top of this page to begin.
2. Allow microphone access – Your browser will ask permission; click "Allow" to proceed.
3. Choose your microphone – If multiple devices are connected, select the one you want to test.
4. Speak normally – Talk as you would during a real call or recording.
5. Watch the visualizer – Green bars moving up and down indicate your mic is capturing audio.
6. Check volume levels – Aim for consistent 40-70% on the level meter for best quality.
7. Optional: Record a clip – Test playback to hear your actual audio quality.

Windows users should verify system audio settings before using our online tool. Open Settings > System > Sound and look at the Input section. Your preferred microphone should be listed and set as default. When you speak, you should see the volume bar move—this confirms Windows recognizes your mic.

Common Windows issues include disabled microphone permissions. Navigate to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and ensure "Allow apps to access your microphone" is enabled. Make sure your browser appears in the list below and is toggled on. USB microphone users should try different ports if the mic isn't detected—USB 3.0 ports (blue inside) sometimes cause compatibility issues with certain mics.

Mac users can configure microphone settings in System Preferences > Sound > Input. Select your microphone and speak—the input level meter should respond. If it doesn't, your Mac may not recognize the device.

Browser permissions are crucial on Mac. When you first click our test button, Safari or Chrome will request microphone access. Always click Allow. If you denied it before, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy tab > Microphone, then check the box for your browser. Restart the browser and try again.

Testing your phone's microphone works great with our tool. Android users should open Chrome, navigate to this page, and tap the test button. Grant microphone permission when prompted. The visualizer will respond to your voice.

iPhone and iPad users get the best results with Safari. Tap "Check Microphone," allow access, and speak. If it's not working, go to Settings > Safari > Microphone and verify it's enabled.

For external microphones on mobile—like USB-C mics, Lightning adapters, or Bluetooth headsets—connect the device first, then run our test. Your phone should automatically route audio through the external mic.

Once your mic passes our test, it should work in all applications. However, each app has its own audio settings worth checking:

Zoom: Settings > Audio lets you select input device and test the mic directly within Zoom.

Microsoft Teams: Click your profile picture > Settings > Devices to choose and test your microphone.

Google Meet: Click the three-dot menu during a call > Settings > Audio to verify device selection.

Discord: User Settings > Voice & Video offers input device selection and sensitivity adjustment.

Skype: Settings > Audio & Video provides microphone selection and a test call feature.

• Laptop built-in microphones – Usually located above the screen or near the keyboard hinge
• USB desktop microphones – Blue Yeti, Rode NT-USB, Audio-Technica AT2020USB+, Elgato Wave
• Gaming headsets – HyperX Cloud, SteelSeries Arctis, Razer BlackShark, Logitech G Pro
• Wireless Bluetooth headphones – Apple AirPods, AirPods Pro, Sony WH-1000XM5, Jabra Elite
• Webcam built-in microphones – Logitech C920, C922, Brio 4K, Razer Kiyo
• Professional XLR microphones – Shure SM7B, Rode PodMic, Audio-Technica AT2035 (via audio interface)
• Lavalier clip-on microphones – Rode Wireless Go, DJI Mic, Hollyland Lark
• Conference speakerphones – Jabra Speak, Poly Sync, Anker PowerConf

• Keep your mic 6-12 inches from your mouth—close enough for clarity, far enough to avoid plosives
• Use a pop filter with condenser microphones to reduce harsh "p" and "b" sounds
• Test in your actual environment—background noise and room echo affect real-world quality
• Position yourself away from walls to reduce sound reflections
• Turn off unnecessary noise sources like fans, AC, or open windows during important calls
• Enable noise suppression in your calling app—Zoom, Teams, and Discord all have effective built-in options
• For USB mics, use a boom arm or shock mount to eliminate desk vibrations
• Keep your microphone clean—dust and debris can affect pickup quality over time

• Before job interviews – Don't let technical issues cost you opportunities
• After plugging in new equipment – Always verify new mics, headsets, or cables work
• When switching audio devices – Going from headphones to speakers? Test first
• Following OS updates – Windows and Mac updates can reset audio configurations
• When someone says "I can't hear you" – Verify your mic works before blaming the app
• Before starting recordings – Podcasts, videos, music—test before pressing record
• Pre-game for important matches – Don't let mic issues tank your ranked games
• Before virtual presentations – Webinars, classes, pitch meetings deserve a quick check

Our tool uses the Web Audio API, built into all modern browsers, to process your microphone input in real-time. When you click the test button, the MediaDevices.getUserMedia() function requests microphone access. Once granted, your audio stream connects to an AnalyserNode that extracts frequency data, which we visualize as the moving bars you see on screen.

Importantly, this all happens locally. Your audio data stays in your browser—we have no servers receiving microphone input. There's no cloud processing, no AI analysis, no data collection whatsoever. The moment you leave this page, all audio processing stops. This client-side architecture means your privacy is completely protected while getting accurate, real-time mic testing.