A webcam test opens your camera in the browser and reports what it actually delivers. This one shows the live preview, the resolution the camera settled on, the frame rate it claims (Set fps) and the frame rate it really produces, measured over 3 seconds (Measured fps). Video stays in your browser and is never uploaded or saved.
| Reading | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1920 × 1080 Full HD, 2.1 MP, 16:9 | The size the camera is sending right now |
| Resolution | 1280 × 720 HD, 0.9 MP, 16:9 | You chose 720p, or the camera does not support 1080p |
| Set fps vs Measured fps | 30 vs 29.9 | Healthy: the camera delivers what it promises |
| Set fps vs Measured fps | 30 vs 15 | Frames are being dropped: usually dim light, sometimes USB or another app |
| Max supported resolution | Not reported | This browser or camera does not expose its capabilities |
How to test your webcam (camera test)
Press Start webcam test and allow camera access. If you see yourself, the camera works; the numbers below tell you how well.
Use Requested resolution to ask for 720p (1280 × 720), 1080p (1920 × 1080) or Max, the largest size the camera reports. The camera picks the closest size it supports, so Resolution shows what you actually got. If you have more than one camera, choose it in the Camera list. Take a photo saves a PNG on this device only.
Why measured fps is lower than the setting
Low light is the most common reason. Many webcams lengthen exposure in a dim room, and a longer exposure means fewer frames per second.
Set fps is the value the camera reports to the browser; Measured fps counts frames that really arrived over 3 seconds. If Measured fps falls below 20, the test shows a tip. Turn on a lamp facing you and watch the number rise. If it stays low in good light, plug the webcam into a USB port on the computer itself rather than a hub, since a shared or slow port can limit how much video the camera can send at full resolution. Also close other apps that use the camera. Switching to 720p is a quick way to see whether bandwidth is the limit.
Webcam black screen: causes and fixes
If the camera opens but the picture is black, look at the lens first. Many laptops and webcams have a sliding privacy shutter. Some laptops also have a camera key, often on a function key with a camera icon, that cuts the camera off in hardware or firmware.
If the test says access was blocked, the browser or operating system is refusing. On Windows 11, open Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and turn on Camera access, Let apps access your camera and Let desktop apps access your camera. Browsers count as desktop apps. On a Mac, allow your browser in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera; the green light next to the camera shows when it is on.
If the test says the camera could not be opened, another app such as Zoom, Teams or Discord is probably holding it. Close it fully, including from the system tray, and press Restart. To reset the site's permission in Chrome, click the icon at the left of the address bar and set Camera to Allow; in Safari use Safari > Settings for This Website.
Is my webcam 1080p? Checking real resolution
Select 1080p or Max and read Resolution. If it still says 1280 × 720, the camera or its current connection does not deliver 1080p in the browser.
Max supported resolution comes from the camera's own capability report, so it is the best quick check of a webcam's advertised spec. Megapixels and aspect ratio are calculated from the delivered size: 1920 × 1080 is 2.1 MP at 16:9, and 640 × 480 is 4:3. A camera that only reaches higher sizes at a lower frame rate will show that trade-off in Measured fps.
Why is my webcam mirrored?
Mirror view is on by default because a mirrored image feels natural, like looking in a mirror. Uncheck Mirror view (flip left-right) to see the image as the camera captures it, with text readable.
The setting only changes this preview and photos taken here. It does not change the camera or how other apps show you.
FAQ
Is my webcam video recorded?
No. Video is shown only in your browser and is never sent to a server. Photos you take are saved only if you choose Save photo.
What frame rate is good for a webcam?
For video calls, a measured rate close to the camera's Set fps (commonly 30) is what you want. The test warns you below 20 fps.
Why does my webcam not appear in the Camera list?
The list appears only after you allow access once. If your camera is still missing, check the cable, try another USB port, and confirm the operating system sees it.
Does the webcam test work on a phone?
Yes in most current mobile browsers, but phone cameras may report different resolutions and the Camera list shows front and back cameras separately.
Sources: MDN Web Docs: MediaStreamTrack.getSettings() and getCapabilities() · MDN Web Docs: HTMLVideoElement.requestVideoFrameCallback() · Microsoft Support: Manage app permissions for a camera in Windows · Apple Support: Control access to the camera on Mac · Google Chrome Help: Use your camera and microphone in Chrome · Updated 2026-10-14