How to test your microphone
MicPeek takes under a minute and needs no installation or account.
- Enable the microphone. Click "Enable microphone" and choose Allow when your browser asks for permission. Nothing is recorded yet.
- Pick your mic and settings. Select the input device you want to check and how many seconds to record (1 to 30). Under "More options", leave "Raw audio" off for a normal result, or turn it on to hear the signal without the browser's automatic processing.
- Watch the ring and record. Speak at your normal volume. The ring around the button should move clearly while you talk. Press the button, which now reads "Record" with the number of seconds, and say a sentence or two.
- Listen and review. Play the recording back, check the waveform and read the verdict. Switch devices and record again to compare up to five takes side by side.
Mic not working? Troubleshooting
If the ring around the button stays flat or the recording is silent, work through these checks in order.
Browser permission (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari)
The most common cause is a blocked permission. In Chrome and Edge, click the lock or tune icon left of the address bar, set Microphone to Allow and reload. In Firefox, click the permissions icon in the address bar, remove the blocked Microphone entry and reload. In Safari on a Mac, open Safari > Settings > Websites > Microphone and set this site to Allow.
Windows 10 and 11 privacy settings
Open Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone. Turn on "Microphone access" and "Let apps access your microphone", and make sure "Let desktop apps access your microphone" is on too, since browsers count as desktop apps. On Windows 10, go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and check three toggles: "Allow access to the microphone on this device", "Allow apps to access your microphone" and "Allow desktop apps to access your microphone". Then check Settings > System > Sound > Input to confirm the right device is selected and its volume is not at zero.
macOS privacy settings
Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and switch on your browser. If it is already on, toggle it off and on again and restart the browser. Also check System Settings > Sound > Input and raise the input volume.
iPhone, iPad and Android
On iPhone and iPad, open Settings, find Safari (or your browser) and allow Microphone under Settings for Websites. On Android, open Settings > Apps > your browser > Permissions > Microphone and choose Allow while using the app. Remove any case or cover blocking the microphone hole, and close apps that record in the background.
Microphone used by another app (Zoom, Discord, Teams)
Some systems let only one app use a microphone at a time. Quit Zoom, Discord, Microsoft Teams, OBS or any recorder, then click Enable microphone again. If the error mentions the mic being in use, this is almost always the reason.
Wrong default device
Laptops often have several inputs: the built-in mic, a webcam, a headset and a Bluetooth device. Use the input device menu under the button to switch, and watch the ring react. Bluetooth headsets can drop to a low-quality mode while their microphone is active, which is normal.
Reading your results
After each recording the tool measures the peak and the average (RMS) level in dBFS, where 0 is the loudest digital signal possible.
Too quiet
The average level is very low, so people may struggle to hear you. Move closer to the microphone (a hand-width from your mouth works well), raise the input volume in your system sound settings, or turn off "Raw audio" so automatic gain can help.
Good level
Your voice peaks comfortably below the maximum with enough strength to be clear. Speech that peaks between about -20 and -6 dBFS is a healthy target for calls and recordings.
Clipping (distorted)
The signal hit the maximum and was cut off, which sounds harsh and cannot be repaired afterwards. Lower the input volume or microphone gain, speak a little farther from the mic, and avoid pointing it straight at your mouth for loud sounds.
No signal / silent
Nothing was captured. Check the mute switch on a headset or laptop, the permission steps above, and make sure the correct input is selected.
How noisy is my room?
Press "Check background noise" under the button and stay quiet for three seconds. MicPeek measures the average level of the sound your microphone picks up when nobody is speaking, which is your noise floor, and tells you whether the room is quiet, has some background noise or is noisy.
A reading below -60 dBFS is a quiet room. Between -60 and -45 dBFS you may hear a fan, a computer or street sounds in the pauses between words. Above -45 dBFS other people will notice the noise on a call.
After you record a take, MicPeek also compares your voice with the noise. A voice at least 25 dB above the noise is good for calls, 15 to 25 dB is fine but some background will be heard, and below 15 dB people will hear the background clearly. Browsers often filter noise before you see it, so turn on raw audio under More options if you want the true level.
What to say during the test
Under the button, MicPeek shows a sentence to read aloud. The sentences are chosen to bring out common microphone problems. Sounds like s and sh show hiss and harshness, p and b sounds reveal pops from breath hitting the microphone, and a mix of low and high sounds shows whether your voice sounds thin or muddy. Press "Another sentence" for a different one, and a new sentence appears after every take.
Your audio stays private
MicPeek runs entirely in your browser. Your voice is processed on your device with standard web audio features and is never uploaded, stored on a server or shared. Recordings exist only in your browser's memory until you close or reload the page, and the Download button saves a file directly to your computer. You can verify this by disconnecting from the internet after the page loads: the test keeps working.
Test your speakers and headphones too
Want to check the other end of the call? Try the speaker and headphone test to hear left and right channels and run a frequency sweep.
Frequently asked questions
Is my audio uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything happens in your browser. The recording is never sent to a server, and it disappears when you close or reload the page.
Does the mic test work on a phone?
Yes. It works in current versions of Safari on iPhone and iPad and in Chrome and Firefox on Android. Open the page over HTTPS and allow microphone access when asked.
Why is my microphone not listed?
Click Enable microphone first, because browsers hide device names until you grant permission. If it is still missing, check that it is plugged in, enabled in your system sound settings and not in use by another app, then reconnect it.
What is raw audio?
By default, browsers clean up the signal with echo cancellation, noise suppression and automatic gain control. Raw audio turns these off so you hear exactly what the microphone captures, which is useful for diagnosing hardware or noise problems.
Can I test my speakers or headphones too?
Yes, in a simple way. Record a short clip and play it back, and in browsers that support it choose the output device under More options. Live monitoring lets you hear your microphone through your headphones in real time. Use headphones, or speakers will cause feedback.
Is MicPeek free?
Yes. It is completely free, needs no account or download, and has no usage limits beyond the 30 second maximum per take. The last five takes are kept on the page so you can compare them.
How do I check background noise?
Enable your microphone, press "Check background noise" and stay quiet for three seconds. MicPeek measures the average level of the room and tells you if it is quiet, somewhat noisy or noisy. For the most honest reading, turn on raw audio under More options so the browser does not filter the noise first.
What should I say during the test?
Read the sentence shown under the button out loud at your normal speaking volume. The sentences bring out common problems: s and sh sounds show hiss, p and b sounds reveal pops, and a mix of low and high sounds shows whether the voice sounds thin or muddy. Use "Another sentence" for a new one.