What the readings mean
| Speaking peak | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Below −45 dBFS | Almost silent | Wrong input, muted, or permission issue |
| −45 to −24 dBFS | Quiet | Fine for calls; move closer or add gain for recording |
| −24 to −6 dBFS | Healthy | Ideal for recording and podcasts |
| Above −3 dBFS | Too hot | Risk of clipping; lower gain or back off |
Fixing common microphone problems
Permission denied
In Chrome and Edge, click the icon to the left of the address, set Microphone to Allow, and reload. In Safari, open Settings for This Website. On iPhone, go to Settings → Safari → Microphone.
The meter moves but I sound muffled
Check the spectrum: if there is almost nothing above the middle of the display, the mic is band-limited. Bluetooth headsets in call mode and some laptop arrays do this. A wired USB or 3.5 mm headset usually sounds far clearer.
Background hum
A steady bar at the far left of the spectrum (50 or 60 Hz, the mains frequency) points to a ground loop or a cheap USB hub. Try a different port or unplug the laptop charger for a moment.
Once it sounds right, head to the voice recorder to make a real take.
Questions
How do I know if my mic is working?
Press "Test my microphone", allow access, and speak. If the needle moves and the level bar goes green, the browser is receiving sound. Record a 5-second test and play it back to hear exactly what others will hear.
Why is my microphone not working in the browser?
The usual causes are: permission blocked for this site, the wrong input selected in system settings, another app (Zoom, Teams, Discord) holding the device, or a hardware mute switch on a headset. On macOS, the browser also needs permission under System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone.
What level should my mic be at?
For recording, aim for normal speech to peak between −18 and −6 dBFS, with the loudest laughs staying below −3 dBFS. That leaves headroom without the recording being noisy when you turn it up later.
Is the test private?
Yes. The audio is analysed in your browser and never sent anywhere. The optional 5-second test clip exists only in this tab.
Can I test a Bluetooth headset mic?
Yes, choose it in the Input list. Note that most Bluetooth headsets switch to a low-quality 16 kHz "hands-free" mode when their mic is in use, which is why they sound muffled on calls.