Webcam Test
Check that your webcam works in a few seconds. Start the test to see your camera's live picture, its real resolution and frame rate, and a warning if the picture is black, too dark, or frozen. Everything runs in your browser, so your video never leaves your device.
Your browser will ask to use the camera. Click Allow.
About the webcam test
What the webcam test does
The webcam test opens your camera through the browser and shows its live picture. If you can see yourself, the camera works and your browser can use it. The test also measures what the camera is really sending (resolution, frame rate, megapixels, and aspect ratio) and tells you when the picture is black, very dark, or has stopped updating. You can take test photos at full resolution to check sharpness and color up close.
Why use our webcam test
- ·Free. No signup, no paywall, no limits.
- ·Private. The picture stays on your device and is never uploaded.
- ·Real numbers. Resolution and frame rate are read from the live video, not copied from a spec sheet.
- ·Clear answers. A plain message tells you if the picture is coming through, or if it is black, too dark, or frozen.
- ·Any camera. Switch between a built-in webcam, a USB webcam, or the front and back cameras on a phone.
How to test your webcam online
- 1
Start the test
Click Start webcam test. Your browser will ask for permission to use the camera. Click Allow. If you do not see the prompt, look for a camera or site settings icon next to the address bar.
- 2
Check the picture
Your camera's live picture appears in the preview. A green message under it confirms that the webcam is working. If the picture is black, very dark, or frozen, the message tells you what to check instead.
- 3
Pick the right camera
If the preview shows the wrong camera, choose another one from the camera list at the top. The test restarts with that camera right away.
- 4
Read the resolution and frame rate
The resolution, frame rate, and lighting level are shown in the top corner of the preview, and the megapixels and aspect ratio are listed under it. Change the quality in the toolbar (Best available, 1080p, 720p, or 480p) to see how the camera behaves at each size.
- 5
Take a test photo
Click Take a photo at the bottom of the preview to save a still from the camera at full resolution. Download it as a PNG or delete it. The last 6 photos are kept until you close the page.
Webcam not working? Check these first
Most camera problems come down to one of a few settings. Work through them in order and run the test again after each one.
- Browser permission. If the test says access was blocked, click the site settings or lock icon next to the address bar, set Camera to Allow, and click Try again.
- System privacy settings. Your operating system can block the browser even when the site is allowed. On Windows 11, open Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and make sure camera access is on for desktop apps. On a Mac, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and turn on your browser.
- A privacy shutter or camera key. If the picture is black, look for a small slider over the lens above your screen. Some laptops also have a key with a camera icon, or a switch on the side, that turns the camera off.
- Another app is using it. If the test says the camera could not be started, close apps that might be holding it, such as Zoom, Teams, or OBS, and try again. On Windows, a camera can often be used by only one app at a time.
- The wrong camera. Virtual cameras (like OBS Virtual Camera) and phone camera apps also show up as cameras. Check the camera list at the top of the test and pick the real one.
- No camera in the list at all. Unplug a USB webcam and plug it into a different port, preferably one directly on the computer rather than a hub. On Windows, open Device Manager and look under Cameras. If the camera is missing or has a warning sign, update or reinstall its driver.
Webcam resolution and frame rate explained
Resolution is the size of each frame in pixels, and frame rate is how many frames the camera sends each second (fps). These are the common webcam sizes:
| Name | Pixels | Megapixels | Aspect ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 480p | 640 × 480 | 0.3 MP | 4:3 |
| 720p (HD) | 1280 × 720 | 0.9 MP | 16:9 |
| 1080p (Full HD) | 1920 × 1080 | 2.1 MP | 16:9 |
| 1440p | 2560 × 1440 | 3.7 MP | 16:9 |
| 4K | 3840 × 2160 | 8.3 MP | 16:9 |
Most webcams send 30 fps, and some send 60 fps. If the test shows a lower resolution than your camera's box promises, set Quality to Best available. Browsers often open a camera at a small default size unless a site asks for more, and this test asks for up to 4K so you see the largest size the camera offers.
A frame rate well under 30 fps is usually caused by low light, because the camera leaves its shutter open longer to collect enough light. Add a light in front of you and watch the frame rate go back up. The Lighting reading on the preview helps here: it shows the average brightness of the picture from 0% to 100%, and a rating of Good means the camera has enough light. Keep in mind that video call apps often send a lower resolution than your camera can capture, to save bandwidth, so a call may look softer than this preview.
Webcam test options
- ·Quality sets the size the test asks the camera for: Best available, 1080p, 720p, or 480p. The camera picks the closest size it supports, so the resolution shown may differ from the one you chose. Changing it restarts the test.
- ·Mirror flips the preview left to right so it works like a mirror. It is on by default. It changes your preview and your test photos, not the camera itself.
- ·Grid draws rule of thirds lines over the preview. Put your eyes near the top line for a well framed shot on calls.
- ·Info shows the resolution, frame rate, and lighting readings in the corner of the preview. It is on by default. Turn it off to see the whole picture.
- ·Full screen fills the screen with the preview, which helps when you check focus and fine detail. Press Esc or click the button again to leave.
- ·Take a photo saves a still at the camera's full resolution as a PNG.
When to test your webcam
- ·Before a video call or interview. Check your camera, lighting, and framing a few minutes before a Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet call, so the first thing people see is not a black box.
- ·After buying a new webcam. See the resolution and frame rate it really sends, and compare them with what the box promised.
- ·When the camera works in one app but not another. If the picture shows up here, the camera and its driver are fine, and the problem is in the other app's settings.
- ·Before streaming or recording. Use the grid to line up your shot and check that the room is bright enough before you go live.
- ·Online classes and exams. Some online exams need a working webcam. Test it ahead of time, especially on a shared or school computer.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I test my webcam?
- Click Start webcam test on this page and allow camera access when your browser asks. If you see yourself in the preview and a green message says the webcam is working, your camera is fine. The resolution and frame rate are shown in the top corner of the preview.
- Why is my webcam showing a black screen?
- A black picture usually means something is covering the lens. Many laptops have a sliding privacy shutter above the screen, and some have a camera key on the keyboard that turns the camera off. A dark room can also look almost black. If the test says the camera is sending a black picture, check for a shutter or camera key first.
- Why does my camera work here but not in Zoom or Teams?
- If the picture shows up here, the camera works and your browser can use it. Open the other app's video settings and choose the same camera that is selected in the camera list on this page. On Windows, a camera can often be used by only one app at a time, so close this test before you join the call.
- What resolution is my webcam?
- Start the test with Quality set to Best available. The test asks for up to 4K, so the camera opens at its largest size, and the resolution shown on the preview is the size it is sending. Where the browser reports it, the test also shows the largest size the camera supports.
- Why is my webcam frame rate low?
- The most common reason is low light. Many webcams keep the shutter open longer in a dim room, which lowers the frame rate, often to 15 fps. Turn on a light in front of you and the frame rate usually goes back up. A high resolution can also lower the frame rate on some cameras, so try 720p.
- Why is my webcam image mirrored?
- Mirror is on by default, so the preview acts like a mirror and feels natural when you move. It only changes your own view. Turn off Mirror to see the picture the way the camera captures it. Video call apps also mirror your own preview, but other people on the call see you the right way round.
- How do I allow camera access in my browser?
- Click the site settings or lock icon next to the address bar, find Camera, and set it to Allow. Then reload the page or click Try again. On a Mac you may also need to allow your browser in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera. On Windows, check Settings > Privacy & security > Camera.
- What format are the test photos saved in?
- Photos are saved as PNG files at the full resolution the camera is sending. If Mirror is on, the photo is mirrored too, so it matches the preview. Photos stay in the page until you download or delete them, and they are gone when you close the tab.
- Is my video recorded or uploaded?
- No. The webcam test runs entirely in your browser. The picture is shown and measured on your own device and nothing is sent to a server. Click Stop test to turn the camera off at any time.
- Does the webcam test work on phones?
- Yes. It works in the browser on Android phones, iPhones, and tablets, as long as you allow camera access. Most phones list both the front and back cameras, so you can test each one. Full screen is not available on iPhone.