Free Webcam Test.
Check your webcam in one click. Press Start, allow access, and see a live preview with your camera's resolution, measured frame rate and aspect ratio read out beside it. Switch cameras, flip a mirror, and grab a snapshot — everything runs in your browser and nothing is ever uploaded or recorded.
Click Start, then allow camera access
Online webcam test.
Your camera opens only when you press Start, and the video never leaves this page — it is shown to you and measured on your device.
What a good webcam test confirms
- The right camera is selectedLaptops with a privacy shutter, an external webcam, and a phone's virtual camera all show up as separate devices. The picker lets you jump between them so you're testing the one your call will actually use.
- A clear, live pictureA frozen, black, or heavily grained frame points at a covered lens, a driver problem, or very low light. The preview updates in real time so you can see movement, not a still.
- Resolution that matches the hardwareMost webcams negotiate 640×480 or 1280×720 by default even when they can do more. Comparing the current resolution to the maximum tells you whether you're getting the sharpness you paid for.
- A frame rate that holds upSmooth video needs a steady 24–30 fps. If the measured rate sags into the teens, the usual cause is dim lighting — the camera drops frames to keep the exposure bright.
How to test your webcam
- 1Press Start test. Your browser will ask for permission to use the camera. Nothing happens until you click, and the video only ever appears on this page.
- 2Allow access. Choose Allow in the prompt. If you accidentally blocked it before, open the camera icon in the address bar and switch it back to Allow, then Start again.
- 3Pick your camera. Use the Camera dropdown to switch between a built-in, external, or virtual webcam. The facts panel updates instantly for each one.
- 4Read the results. Check the live status, resolution, measured frame rate and aspect ratio. Flip Mirror for a natural selfie view, and hit Take snapshot to save a PNG. Need a deeper look? Try the resolution test, FPS test, or quality test.
How the webcam test works
When you press Start, the page calls the browser's getUserMedia API, which prompts you for permission and then hands back a live MediaStream. That stream is attached straight to a video element on this page. There is no plugin, no upload, and no server in the loop — the browser is streaming your camera to a box that only your device can see.
The resolution readout is the video's real pixel size (videoWidth × videoHeight), and the maximum comes from the camera's reported capabilities. Frame rate is measured live by counting the actual frames the browser presents over time, so it reflects what you'd really get on a call — not just the number printed on the box. The aspect ratio is derived from the current dimensions and simplified (16:9, 4:3, and so on).
Because everything is local, closing the tab, navigating away, or pressing Stop camera releases the camera immediately — you'll see the webcam's indicator light switch off. If a test ever fails to start, it's almost always a permission that's set to Block, another app holding the camera, or a page that isn't served over HTTPS.
When to run a webcam test
Before a video call
A ten-second check before a Zoom, Teams, Meet or interview call confirms the right camera is picked and the picture is clear — no fumbling once everyone's watching.
After setting up a new webcam
Just plugged in an external camera? Confirm the browser sees it, it's the selected device, and it's delivering its full resolution and frame rate.
Troubleshooting a black screen
If an app shows a black box where your face should be, this test isolates whether the camera itself works or the problem is that app's permissions.
Checking permissions
A quick way to confirm your browser and OS actually grant camera access to websites, and to reset a permission you blocked by mistake.
Comparing two cameras
Switch between your laptop's built-in camera and an external one to see which gives a sharper, higher-resolution picture before you commit.
Testing on a new device
New laptop, new phone, or a fresh browser profile — verify the camera works everywhere without installing any app.
Webcam test glossary
- getUserMedia
- The browser API that, with your permission, opens the camera (and optionally the mic) and returns a live video stream to the page.
- Resolution
- The width × height of the video in pixels — e.g. 1280×720. Higher is sharper but needs more light and bandwidth.
- Frame rate (fps)
- How many frames per second the camera delivers. 30 fps looks smooth; low light often drops it into the teens.
- Aspect ratio
- The shape of the frame, width to height. Most webcams are 16:9 (widescreen) or 4:3 (older, taller).
- MediaStream
- The live object getUserMedia returns, carrying one or more tracks (video, audio) that you can attach to a <video> element.
- Virtual camera
- A software "camera" (OBS, Snap, a phone app) that appears in the picker next to real hardware. Useful, but not a physical lens.
Frequently asked questions
Is this webcam test safe and private?
Yes. The test runs entirely in your browser. When you press Start, getUserMedia streams your camera directly to a preview on this page — it is never recorded, never uploaded, and no server receives it. Snapshots are created on your device and saved only if you click download. Stopping the test or leaving the page releases the camera right away.
Why won't my camera turn on?
The three usual causes are: permission is set to Block (open the camera icon in your address bar and switch it to Allow), the camera is already in use by another app (close Zoom, Teams, Meet, or another browser tab), or the page isn't on HTTPS (getUserMedia only works on secure pages). Some laptops also have a physical privacy shutter or a keyboard toggle that disables the camera.
Does the test show my real camera resolution?
It shows the resolution the browser negotiated for the live stream, which is what you'll actually get on a call. Cameras often default to 720p even when they support more, so we also show the maximum the device reports. To force and inspect a specific resolution, use the dedicated resolution test.
How is the frame rate measured?
We count the frames the browser actually presents over a rolling window and average them, rather than trusting the number the camera advertises. That gives a realistic figure — including the dip you'll see in low light, where cameras lower the frame rate to keep the image bright enough.
Can I use my phone's camera?
Yes. Open this page in your phone's browser and press Start; on most phones the picker lets you switch between the front and rear cameras. The mirror toggle is handy for the front camera so the preview matches what you'd expect from a selfie.
What does the mirror toggle do?
It flips the preview horizontally so your movements match a real mirror — raise your right hand and the on-screen image raises the hand on the same side. It's purely a display setting for comfort; it doesn't change the actual camera feed or a snapshot unless you capture while mirrored.
Does it work in Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge?
Yes, in every modern desktop and mobile browser, as long as the page is served over HTTPS. Chromium-based browsers (Chrome and Edge) expose the most device detail, so a few readouts — like the full maximum-resolution capability — are most complete there.