How this audio latency test works
The Tap Test follows a simple reference workflow: the page plays a steady beat, records the exact browser time when each beat is triggered, and compares that with the moment you press Space or tap the target. The average of repeated responses gives a practical estimate of perceived audio delay. It includes your listening chain and your reaction consistency, so repeat the test and compare trends rather than trusting one number.
The Mic Round-Trip mode uses your browser microphone when permission is granted. It plays short pulses and listens for the same pulse through the microphone. This can estimate speaker-to-room-to-microphone delay, but it works best with speakers in a quiet room. Sealed headphones usually prevent the microphone from hearing the signal.
The A/V Sync mode flashes the canvas and plays a beep so you can tune an offset by eye and ear. This is useful when a video player, TV, Bluetooth codec, capture card, or game lets you enter an audio delay correction.
For the best audio latency test score, run one baseline with wired audio, one run with your normal headphones, and one run after changing a setting such as game mode, sample rate, Bluetooth profile, or browser output device. Keeping the same BPM and test mode makes the comparison fair. If the average delay drops but jitter rises, the device may feel less predictable even when the headline number looks better.
Run this audio latency test online before you change hardware, then run this audio latency test online again after the change so the comparison is fair. If you run this audio latency test online with the same BPM, browser, and device path each time, the average and jitter become a clear record of what actually improved.