OneTaskBy Tim King · Updated
Webcam Test
Check Your Camera, Resolution and Frame Rate
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How the Webcam Test works
This webcam test opens your camera in the browser and shows the live picture with the facts that matter: the camera's name, the resolution it is really sending and the frame rate measured frame by frame. Ask for a higher resolution to see what your camera can do, and save a snapshot. Nothing is uploaded.
A camera that "works" can still let you down on a call. It might be sending 640 × 480 when it can do 1080p, dropping to 15 frames per second in a dim room, or picking the wrong device entirely. A quick check before a meeting, interview or stream saves the awkward first minute.
How the webcam test works
Press Start camera and your browser asks for permission. Once you allow it, the tool reads the stream's settings and counts every frame the camera actually delivers, using the browser's video frame callback. The frame rate shown is that real count over the last two seconds, not the number the camera claims.
Changing "Ask for resolution" restarts the camera with that request. The browser picks the closest mode the camera supports, so asking for 3840 × 2160 on a 1080p camera gives 1920 × 1080. Comparing the request with the Resolution stat tells you the camera's real ceiling.
What the numbers mean
| Stat | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Camera | The device name, useful when a laptop also has a USB or virtual camera |
| Resolution | The size of the picture being sent right now |
| Measured frame rate | Frames actually arriving per second |
| Requested frame rate | The rate the camera was set to |
| Maximum supported | The largest size the driver reports |
| Facing | Front or back camera on phones and tablets |
Typical results
| Camera | Usual resolution | Frame rate in good light |
|---|---|---|
| Older laptop | 1280 × 720 | 30 fps |
| Recent laptop | 1920 × 1080 | 30 fps |
| USB webcam | 1920 × 1080 | 30 or 60 fps |
| Phone front camera | 1280 × 720 to 1920 × 1080 | 30 fps |
Tips and pitfalls
Low frame rate in a dark room. Many webcams lengthen exposure when light is poor, which caps them at 15 fps or less. Turn on a lamp facing you and the measured rate often jumps back to 30.
"Camera in use" errors. Only one app can hold some cameras at a time. Close Zoom, Teams, OBS or another browser tab and press Start camera again.
The wrong camera opens. The browser uses its default device. Change it from the camera icon in the address bar, or in the browser's site settings, then start again.
How to read the result
If the picture appears and the measured frame rate is close to the requested rate, the camera is healthy. A rate well below it points to light, USB bandwidth or CPU load rather than a broken camera.
FAQ
Why does my webcam only show 640 × 480?
Some browsers start cameras at a low default to save bandwidth. Choose 1280 × 720 or 1920 × 1080 in Ask for resolution. If the Resolution stat does not change, the camera or its driver cannot deliver that size in this browser.
Why is my measured frame rate lower than 30?
The usual cause is poor light, which makes the camera expose each frame for longer. A busy USB hub or a heavily loaded computer can also drop frames. Add light first, then close other apps that use the camera or a lot of CPU.
Is my webcam video uploaded or recorded?
No. The picture goes from your camera straight to this page and is never sent anywhere or recorded. A snapshot is only saved if you press Snapshot and then Download, and it goes straight to your own device.
How do I stop the camera?
Close the tab or press Reset. Both release the camera, and its light should turn off straight away. Your browser remembers the permission for this site, which you can remove from the address bar at any time.
See also: all Video & Screen tools, Images, Audio, PDF, SVG, Simulations & Screensavers, Generative Art, Chart Makers, 3D Model Viewers, Drawing Pads, Mockups & 3D Making, Diagram Makers, 3D Science, Tracker Music.
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