Webcam test

When you press Initialize camera, your browser asks for permission and opens the video stream with the getUserMedia API. The stream goes straight from your camera driver into the viewfinder on this page — it is never uploaded, recorded or shared. You can verify this claim: the page makes no network requests while the test runs.

The tool then measures what your camera actually delivers. Resolution is read from the active video track, and FPS is measured frame by frame using requestVideoFrameCallback — not copied from a spec sheet. Many cameras that advertise "1080p 30fps" deliver less in real conditions, especially in poor light.

The light analyzer samples the video at low resolution and computes a luminance histogram plus per-channel RGB averages, updating about three times per second. It flags scenes that are too dark or blown out — the most common reason a webcam looks bad on calls.

The full device report lists everything your browser and driver expose via getSettings() and getCapabilities(): supported resolution ranges, frame-rate limits, exposure, focus and white-balance controls. Fields your driver hides show as n/a. Use Copy report to paste the whole diagnostic into a support ticket or bug report.

If you rate your camera, only the star rating, optional one-line review and the measured numbers (model name, resolution, FPS) are submitted — they feed the public camera database of real-world measurements. No image data ever leaves your device.

Is my video recorded or uploaded anywhere?

No. The video stream stays inside your browser tab. This page contains no recording code and makes no network requests with frame data — the test is entirely local. Snapshots download directly to your device.

Why does the browser ask for camera permission?

Browsers require explicit permission before any page can open a camera — that is a security feature. The permission only lets the viewfinder on this page display your stream; it does not allow uploading.

The test shows a lower resolution than my camera advertises. Why?

The tool requests up to 1920×1080 and the browser negotiates the best mode your camera, driver and USB connection can deliver. Some cameras only reach their top mode in specific apps, over USB 3.0, or with the vendor driver installed. What you see here is what video calls will actually get.

Why is my measured FPS lower than 30?

Most webcams silently halve their frame rate in low light to lengthen exposure. Test again with more light on your face — if FPS recovers, lighting is the cause, not the camera. Heavy CPU load can also drop frames.

My camera works in other apps but not here. What should I check?

Usually another app (Zoom, Teams, OBS) holds an exclusive lock on the camera, or the browser lacks permission. Quit other camera apps, check the address-bar camera icon, and try again. The error screen in the tool shows exact steps for your browser.

Does this test work on phones and tablets?

Yes — it runs in any modern mobile browser. On iOS, Safari is the most reliable choice; on Android, Chrome. The tool automatically adapts to front and rear cameras.

What do the histogram and RGB bars tell me?

The histogram shows how bright pixels are distributed: bunched to the left means underexposed, spiked at the right edge means blown-out highlights. The RGB bars reveal color casts — a strong blue or orange bias usually means white balance is off.

Which data is stored if I submit a rating?

Only the star rating, your optional one-line review, the camera model label, and the measured resolution and FPS — plus coarse browser and OS family for statistics. No images, no exact IP address (only a salted, daily-rotating hash for abuse protection), no account. Analytics cookies are set only if you accepted the cookie banner, and they never carry anything you typed here.

• Permission blocked: click the camera icon in the address bar and allow access, then reload. Full per-browser walkthrough: Webcam not working — permission fixes.
• Black screen: another app is holding the camera. Fully quit Zoom/Teams/OBS and retry. Details: the exclusive-lock problem.
• Choppy or low FPS: almost always a light problem — webcams halve frame rate in dim rooms. See why FPS drops in low light.