How to use it
- Choose your camera, and on a phone the front or back camera.
- Click Start webcam test and allow camera access.
- Pick a resolution or click Find max resolution, then check the live FPS and brightness readings.
- Take a PNG or JPG snapshot or record a clip of up to 30 seconds, and download it.
What the webcam test shows
After you allow camera access, the live image appears with a panel of real measurements:
- Resolution, aspect ratio and megapixels of the image the camera actually delivers, for example 1920×1080 (16:9, about 2.1 MP).
- Frame rate: the value the camera is set to and the measured FPS that really arrives in the browser, plus a count of dropped frames.
- Brightness meter: the average light level of the image, with a hint when the picture is too dark or too bright.
- Capabilities: when the browser exposes them, the camera's maximum resolution and frame rate and whether it supports zoom, focus, exposure and white balance control.
- Device name, useful when you have a built-in camera and an external one.
Find your camera's real maximum resolution
You can request 480p, 720p, 1080p, 1440p or 4K. If the camera can't deliver what you ask for, the browser silently picks the closest mode, and the tool shows the real value. The Find max resolution button tries the options for you and reports the highest one the camera actually accepts.
| Request | Pixels | Approx. MP |
|---|---|---|
| 480p | 640×480 | 0.3 |
| 720p (HD) | 1280×720 | 0.9 |
| 1080p (Full HD) | 1920×1080 | 2.1 |
| 1440p | 2560×1440 | 3.7 |
| 4K (UHD) | 3840×2160 | 8.3 |
Many call apps send 720p even from better cameras to save bandwidth. If the image looks soft at 1080p, the cause is usually focus, a dirty lens or poor lighting rather than resolution.
Frame rate, dropped frames and lighting
Webcams lengthen the exposure when the room is dark so the image stays bright enough. Longer exposure means fewer frames per second, so a camera set to 30 fps may deliver far fewer in a dim room. Watch the brightness meter and the measured FPS together: turn on a lamp facing you, or open the curtains, and the frame rate usually climbs.
A steady stream of dropped frames points elsewhere: USB bandwidth at high resolutions (especially through a hub), a busy computer, or another app competing for the camera. Plug the camera directly into the computer and close heavy apps to rule these out.
Snapshots, clips and framing tools
- Snapshot: saves a still at the camera's full resolution as PNG (lossless) or JPG (smaller). There is no watermark, and the image stays on your device.
- Video clip: records up to 30 seconds so you can check motion, sound sync and lighting the way others see you, then download it.
- Grid: a rule-of-thirds overlay that helps you place your eyes about a third from the top of the frame.
- Mirror: most apps show your own preview mirrored. Turn mirroring off to see yourself as others do, for example to check that text behind you reads correctly.
- Full screen and camera switch: view the image full screen, and on phones flip between the front and back camera.
Everything runs in your browser. Nothing is uploaded; snapshots and clips leave the tab only when you download them.
Camera not working? Quick fixes
The built-in troubleshooter below the test detects your system and browser and lists the matching steps. The usual suspects:
- Windows 11: Settings › Privacy & security › Camera: turn on Camera access, Let apps access your camera and Let desktop apps access your camera. Also check Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Cameras.
- Mac: System Settings › Privacy & Security › Camera, enable your browser.
- Chrome and Edge: allow the camera from the site controls icon left of the address bar. Safari: Safari › Settings › Websites › Camera.
- iPhone: Settings › Safari (or your browser's app) › Camera. Android: Chrome › Settings › Site settings › Camera, and check the Camera access quick-settings tile.
- Black image: a privacy shutter, a camera key on the keyboard, or another app such as Zoom, Teams or OBS holding the camera.
For an automatic step-by-step check, including black and frozen image detection, open the webcam troubleshooter. To check your audio too, run the mic test, or open the online mirror for a quick look before a meeting.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test my webcam?
Click Start webcam test and allow camera access. If you see yourself, the camera works. The tool also shows the real resolution, frame rate and light level.
Why is my webcam not working on Windows 11?
Camera access may be off in Settings › Privacy & security › Camera, another app may be using the camera, or a privacy shutter or camera key may be blocking it. The built-in troubleshooter checks these step by step.
Why does my 1080p webcam show 720p?
The browser falls back to the closest mode the camera offers over the current connection. Request 1080p or click Find max resolution, and plug the camera directly into a fast USB port.
Why is my webcam image dark or choppy?
In low light the camera uses longer exposures, which lowers the frame rate and adds noise. Put a light in front of you and watch the brightness meter and FPS improve.
Can I take a picture with my webcam online?
Yes. Take a snapshot at full resolution and download it as PNG or JPG. The picture is created in your browser and has no watermark.
Is the video uploaded anywhere?
No. The image is processed only in your browser. Snapshots and clips stay in the tab unless you download them.
Can I test my phone's front and back camera?
Yes. Open the page in your phone's browser and switch between the front and back camera.
Last updated: November 13, 2026