Webcam test
Click Start to see your camera. The table below shows the camera name, resolution, megapixels and frame rate your browser receives.
Webcam test workspace
Privacy: Camera and microphone video and audio stay in this browser tab. Clips and photos are created on your device and never uploaded.
How to use
4 short steps.
Click Start and allow the camera
Your browser asks for permission once. Pick another camera from the list after you allow access.
Check the picture
Look for smooth motion, a sharp image, good light on your face and natural colour. Fullscreen shows more detail.
Read the camera table
Resolution, megapixels and frame rate describe the stream this page requested at up to 1920 x 1080.
Take a photo if you want a record
Take photo saves a still from the preview to your device. Nothing is uploaded.
What the result means
Match what you see to one of these.
If you see yourself, the camera works
If the preview shows a moving picture, your browser receives video from this camera. Meeting apps that select the same camera will show the same picture.
If the resolution is lower than the box says, check the cause
If a 1080p camera reports 1280 x 720 or less, another app may hold the camera, a USB 2 hub may limit bandwidth, or low light may force a lower mode. Close other apps and retest.
If the frame rate drops, check light and load
If frame rate sits below about 24 fps, the room is usually too dark and the camera slows its shutter. Add light and close heavy apps, then watch the number again.
If the picture is dark, yellow or washed out, fix the light
If your face is dim or your skin looks yellow, the strongest light is behind you or the room lamps are warm. Face a window or a neutral lamp and retest.
Troubleshooting
If the test fails, try these in order.
Allow the camera in your browser
Click the lock or camera icon in the address bar and set Camera to Allow. In Chrome this is under Site settings. Reload and click Start.
Allow it in your operating system
Windows: Settings > Privacy & security > Camera. macOS: System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera. Turn on access for your browser, then retest.
Close other apps using the camera
Zoom, Teams, Skype or a camera utility may hold the device and leave the preview black. Quit them, then click Start again.
Reconnect and try another USB port
Unplug an external webcam, wait a few seconds and plug it into a different port on the computer, not a hub. Retest.
Check the privacy shutter and drivers
Slide any lens cover open, and on Windows open Device Manager to update or reinstall the camera driver. Retest.
Try another browser or computer
If the preview stays black here, test the same camera in another browser or on another computer. If it fails there too, the camera is faulty.
What this test can't tell you
Where a browser check stops.
- Resolution and frame rate describe the stream the browser negotiated with track.getSettings(); the sensor may support more in another app.
- A preview cannot measure calibrated colour, lens sharpness or low-light noise, and another app may crop or mirror the picture differently.
FAQ
Common questions about this test.
How do I test my webcam before a meeting?
Click Start, allow the camera and check that you see yourself with good light. Read the resolution and frame rate, then open the same camera in your meeting app's video settings. Give yourself five minutes.
How do I test my camera in Google Chrome?
Open this page in Chrome and click Start. If Chrome asks, choose Allow. If nothing appears, click the icon left of the address bar, open Site settings and set Camera to Allow, then reload.
How do I test my phone camera?
Open this page on your phone and tap Start. The Camera facing row shows Front or Rear. Use the camera list to switch between them. On iPhone the page must stay in the foreground.
What do resolution, frame rate, aspect ratio and megapixels mean?
Resolution is the frame size in pixels, such as 1920 x 1080. Frame rate is how many frames arrive per second, and 30 is common. Aspect ratio is width divided by height, 16:9 for most webcams. Megapixels is width times height divided by one million.
Is a 720p webcam good enough?
For video calls, yes. Most meeting apps send 720p or less anyway. Choose 1080p if you record video or stream. Good light improves the picture more than extra pixels.