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SocQ

Free Online Mic Test

Check that your microphone works with a live meter, waveform and playback clip.

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How to use this tool

This mic test shows in seconds whether your microphone is picking up sound and how loud it is. Press Start mic test, allow microphone access and talk: the level meter and waveform move with your voice, the page lists the device and its settings, and a five-second clip lets you hear yourself the way others will on a call, stream or recording.

  1. 01

    Start the test

    Press Start mic test. Your browser asks for permission to use the microphone; choose Allow.

  2. 02

    Speak, clap or tap the mic

    Watch the level meter and waveform. Normal speech close to the mic usually lands between -30 and -12 dBFS. With several microphones connected, pick one from the Microphone list.

  3. 03

    Hear yourself

    Press Record 5 s clip and play it back to check that your voice sounds clear, full and free of hiss or echo.

Reading the level meter

The meter shows the signal in dBFS, where 0 is the loudest sound the microphone can capture: • Green: a healthy level; -30 to -12 dBFS is ideal for speech • Amber (above -12 dBFS): loud; fine for short peaks • Red (above -3 dBFS): close to clipping; move back a little or lower the input volume • Below -50 dBFS while you talk: move closer or raise the input volume Echo cancellation, noise suppression and automatic gain are switched off for this test, so you see exactly what the microphone picks up.

Fix a microphone on Windows, Mac, iPhone or Android

• Browser permission: click the lock or camera icon in the address bar and set Microphone to Allow • Windows 10/11: Settings > System > Sound > Input, choose your mic and check Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone • Mac: System Settings > Sound > Input, and Privacy & Security > Microphone for your browser • iPhone: Settings > Safari > Microphone; Android: site settings in Chrome • Headsets: check the mute button on the cable or earcup, and reconnect USB headsets • Close call apps that may already be using the microphone

Get call-ready and creator-ready sound

Video call apps add their own echo cancellation and volume leveling, while this test shows the raw input, so you can tell whether the sound comes from the mic itself or from an app's settings. Before recording a podcast, a YouTube video or TikTok voice-over, aim for steady green levels, keep the mic a hand's width from your mouth and record a test clip in the room you will use.

Frequently asked questions

How do I test my mic online?

Press Start mic test, allow microphone access and speak. The level meter and waveform react to your voice, and the status line confirms when sound is detected.

Is my audio private?

Yes. The sound is analyzed in this tab only, and the five-second clip stays in your browser until you leave the page.

What should I do if the meter doesn't move?

Choose the right microphone in the Microphone list or in your system sound settings, check the headset mute switch and close other apps using the mic, then press Start again.

How do I allow microphone access in my browser?

Click the lock or camera icon in the address bar, set Microphone to Allow, then press Start mic test again.

What is a good microphone level?

For speech, aim for -30 to -12 dBFS with peaks below -6. Peaks at 0 dBFS mean the signal is clipping.

Can I test a headset or AirPods microphone?

Yes. Connect the headset, press Start mic test and choose it in the Microphone list if several devices appear.

Does the mic test work on phones?

Yes. It runs in Safari on iPhone and Chrome on Android, using the built-in microphone or a connected headset.

How can I hear myself?

Press Record 5 s clip, then play it back. Listening to a recording gives you a clean playback without speaker feedback.

What do echo cancellation and noise suppression mean in the details?

They show whether the browser is processing the sound. This test switches them off on purpose, so they read Off and you hear the raw microphone.

Is the mic test free?

Yes. It is free with no signup and no download, and you can test as often as you like.

For developers

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