Background Noise Test
Estimate background noise captured by your microphone and get quick tips to improve call clarity.
Background Noise Test
Measure ambient mic noise level for calls.
Estimated noise level
Start the test to see a rolling estimate.
Tip: this reading is relative and depends on microphone gain. Compare runs in the same setup (same mic, same input level) to see if your room got quieter.
How this test works
We capture microphone input using getUserMedia and estimate noise level using the Web Audio API. Everything runs locally in your browser.
- • We compute a rolling estimate from the mic waveform (no audio playback).
- • The reading is relative to digital full-scale and varies by mic gain and hardware.
Troubleshooting
- • If permission is blocked, click the lock icon and allow Microphone, then reload.
- • Close apps holding the mic (Zoom, Teams, Discord) and retry.
- • Select the correct input device in your OS sound settings before running the test.
- • If levels look high in a quiet room, lower input gain or disable mic boost.
Quick steps
- • Click Start Test and allow microphone access.
- • Stay quiet for 3–5 seconds to estimate your baseline noise.
- • Speak briefly to see how much your voice rises above the noise floor.
- • Improve your setup and rerun to compare results.
Get a cleaner call sound
- • Use a headset or a mic closer to your mouth to increase signal-to-noise ratio.
- • Turn off loud fans and move away from keyboards while speaking.
- • Enable noise suppression in Zoom, Teams, Meet, or Discord if needed.
- • Avoid maxing out mic boost; use moderate gain and closer positioning instead.
When to use this test
- • Before interviews or important meetings to check room noise.
- • When callers complain about background noise or hiss.
- • After switching microphones, headsets, or audio interfaces.
Safety and privacy
- • Audio is analyzed locally; nothing is uploaded or stored.
- • You can revoke mic permission anytime using the lock icon in your browser.
Related tools
FAQ
What does this background noise test measure?
It estimates the relative noise level captured by your microphone while you stay quiet. Different microphones and gain settings can change the reading.
Is this an absolute decibel (dB SPL) meter?
No. Browsers don’t provide calibrated sound pressure level readings. This is a relative estimate (dBFS) useful for comparing your own setup.
Do you upload or store audio?
No. Audio stays in your browser and is not uploaded.
How can I reduce background noise?
Move closer to the mic, lower input gain if it’s too high, turn on noise suppression in your meeting app, and reduce noise sources like fans.
Why does the reading change a lot?
Air conditioners, laptop fans, keyboard clicks, and mic auto-gain can make levels fluctuate. Try multiple short runs and look for consistent ranges.