About Sound Tester
Sound Tester is a free set of online audio tools for checking speakers, headphones, microphones, noise and hearing. Every tool runs in your browser, works on phones and computers, and never uploads your sound.
Why We Built Sound Tester
Most sound problems are small. One earbud is quiet, the left and right channels are swapped, a microphone is muted in a setting, or a subwoofer is wired out of phase. Finding the cause usually means downloading test files, installing an app or guessing.
We wanted one place where anyone could open a page, press play and know in under a minute whether their gear works. Each tool started from a real question people search for, such as "why is my headphone louder on one side" or "is my mic working on Zoom", and was built to answer that one question clearly.
Our aim is simple: give honest, accurate audio checks that anyone can understand, for free, without asking for an account or your data.
How We Build And Test Every Tool
No tool goes live until it passes the same five steps.
- 1
We start from a real problem
We study the questions people ask on forums, support pages and search, plus what the best existing tools offer, then decide what the tool must answer.
- 2
We generate the sound in the browser
Tones, sweeps and noise are created live with the Web Audio API, so frequencies are exact instead of compressed audio files.
- 3
We test it on real gear
Each tool is tried on wired and Bluetooth headphones, laptop and desktop speakers, USB and built-in microphones, and on Chrome, Safari, Edge and Firefox on phones and computers.
- 4
We check the numbers
Readings are compared against known reference signals, and formulas like A-weighting and dB conversion are checked against the published standards.
- 5
We explain the result in plain words
Every tool tells you what the result means, what to try next and where its limits are, so you are never left with just a number.
The Standards And Sources We Follow
Audio measurement has well-tested rules, and hearing health has trusted public guidance. We build on both instead of inventing our own scales.
W3C Web Audio API
The web standard every tool uses to create, play and analyse sound on your device.
Read the standardIEC 61672 Weighting
The A, C and Z frequency weightings and Fast and Slow response times used by our Decibel Meter.
See IEC 61672NIOSH 85 dBA Limit
The 85 dBA for 8 hours limit with a 3 dB exchange rate behind our safe listening time.
Visit NIOSHWorld Health Organization
Hearing loss grades and safe listening advice used in our Hearing Test results.
Visit WHONIDCD Noisy Planet
The everyday decibel examples, from whispers to sirens, shown on our noise pages.
Visit NIDCDISO 226 Loudness Curves
How human hearing changes with frequency, which shapes our hearing range and bass guidance.
See ISO 226Who Is Behind Sound Tester
Sound Tester is run by a small team of web developers and audio enthusiasts who use these checks in daily work, from setting up studio monitors to fixing headsets before calls. Each tool has an owner who builds it, tests it and keeps it up to date.
Tool Development
Builds every tool with the Web Audio API and keeps it fast, private and working across browsers and devices.
Audio Testing
Runs each tool on real headphones, speakers and microphones and checks readings against reference signals.
Content And Review
Writes the guides, checks every health and measurement fact against its source and updates pages when guidance changes.
What We Promise Every Visitor
These rules apply to every tool on the site, now and as we add more.
Your sound stays on your device
Microphone audio is measured locally and never sent to a server. Recordings stay in your browser unless you download them.
Free with no account
Every tool is free to use as often as you like, with no sign-up, trial or paywall.
Honest about limits
Our Hearing Test is a screening, not a diagnosis, and phone mics are not lab meters. Each page says this clearly.
Safe volume first
Tools start quietly and warn you before loud or high frequency sounds, so you can test without hurting your ears or gear.
No paid rankings
Brands mentioned on our pages are there because people use them, not because anyone paid for the mention.
Real sources, linked
Health and measurement facts link to the organisation that published them so you can check them yourself.
The Tools We Make
Thirteen tools in three groups. See them all with a quick finder on the Tools page.
Sound Tests
Check that your speakers and headphones play correctly.
Audio Tools
Play exact tones, sweeps and beats for testing or focus.
Hearing And Analysis
Measure sound and check your hearing and microphone.
How We Keep Pages Accurate
Tools and guides are living pages. We review them on a schedule and fix problems as soon as they are reported.
Regular reviews
Every tool and guide is reviewed at least every six months, and the review month is shown on the page.
Fast corrections
If you spot a wrong reading or fact, tell us. We check it, fix it and update the page date.
Not medical advice
Our hearing and noise content is for information. For hearing loss, ringing or pain, see a doctor or audiologist.
Questions, Ideas Or A Bug To Report?
We read every message. Tell us which tool, which device and browser you used, and what you expected to happen.
- Write to us on the Contact page
- Guides and tips on the Sound Tester blog
- We usually reply within 2 working days
Questions About Sound Tester
Who runs Sound Tester?
Sound Tester is run by a small independent team of web developers and audio enthusiasts. We build, test and maintain every tool ourselves.
How does Sound Tester make money if the tools are free?
The site may show ads to cover hosting and development. Ads never change how a tool works or what result it shows, and we do not sell your data.
Can I trust the readings from a browser tool?
Generated tones are exact. Microphone based readings depend on your hardware, so they are best for comparisons and quick checks rather than certified measurements.
Do you store anything about me?
No audio is stored or uploaded. A few tools save small settings, like your decibel meter calibration, in your own browser so they are there next time.
Can I suggest a new tool?
Yes. We plan new tools around what visitors ask for, so send your idea through the Contact page.