Is my camera picture uploaded or recorded?

No. The picture goes from the camera to this page in your browser and nowhere else; nothing is sent to this site or stored. Snapshots and test clips are made only when you press their buttons, are kept in the page's memory, and disappear when you leave the page unless you download them.

Why does my webcam show a lower resolution than advertised?

The browser chooses a mode the camera offers that fits what the page asks for, so choose 1080p or 4K under Ask for to try a higher one. Many webcams send their full resolution only at a lower frame rate, over USB 3, or with the maker's app; a laptop camera sold as "HD" is often 720p. Video call apps then usually send less than the camera gives, depending on your connection.

Why is the frame rate low or the picture laggy?

Poor light is the usual reason: in a dim room a webcam keeps each frame open longer to gather light, so 30 fps drops to 15 or fewer. Face a window or a lamp and watch the "fps arriving" number rise. A busy USB hub or an old computer can also slow it.

Why is my picture mirrored?

The preview of a front camera is shown mirrored, as most video call apps do, because that is what people expect to see of themselves; the other people in a call see you the right way round. Untick Mirror to see the camera's true view; a snapshot is saved as the preview shows it.

It says the camera could not be started. What now?

Another app is almost always holding the camera: close Zoom, Teams, Skype, FaceTime, OBS or another browser tab using it and try again. If the browser says it is blocked, the "Not working? Fixes" section above shows where to allow it in each browser and in Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android privacy settings.

Can I test my phone camera, front and back?

Yes. On an iPhone or iPad use Safari or Chrome, and on Android Chrome or Samsung Internet. Press Switch front / back to try both cameras; the resolution shown is the one the browser gets, which can be lower than the phone's own camera app records.

Stays on your computer How this works

Free webcam test: check your camera and mic

See your camera's picture and the resolution and frame rate it really delivers, switch cameras, take a snapshot, check your microphone with a live level meter and test your speakers. Nothing leaves your device: there is no upload and nothing is stored.

Camera

The browser will ask to use the camera. The picture is shown only here.

Ask for

Microphone

The browser will ask to use the microphone. Nothing is recorded unless you press Record.

Speakers and headphones

Press a button and listen: the tone should come from that side only. No permission is needed.

Not working? Fixes

The browser blocked the camera or microphone

Chrome and Edge: click the icon at the left of the address bar (a slider or padlock), set Camera and Microphone to Allow, and reload the page.
Firefox: click the crossed-out camera or microphone icon in the address bar, remove the block, and reload.
Safari on a Mac: Safari menu, Settings, Websites, Camera (and Microphone): set johnmcm.com to Allow.
iPhone and iPad: tap aA (or the page menu) in the address bar, Website Settings, and set Camera and Microphone to Allow; or Settings, Apps, Safari, Camera / Microphone.
Android: tap the icon at the left of the address bar, Permissions, and allow it; if Chrome itself is not allowed, Settings, Apps, Chrome, Permissions.

The computer or phone is blocking it (system privacy settings)

Windows 11: Settings, Privacy & security, Camera (and Microphone): turn on access, and "Let desktop apps access" for Chrome, Edge or Firefox. Some laptops also have a camera shutter, a key with a camera symbol, or a switch in the maker's app.
Mac: System Settings, Privacy & Security, Camera and Microphone: turn on your browser, then quit and reopen it.
iPhone: Settings, Privacy & Security, Camera / Microphone, and check Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions does not block it.
Android: Settings, Security & privacy (or Privacy), and make sure the camera and microphone access switches are on.

"Camera could not be started" or a black picture

Another app is probably using the camera: close Zoom, Teams, Skype, FaceTime, OBS or another browser tab that uses it, then press Start camera again. On Windows only one app at a time can usually use a webcam.
Check for a privacy shutter or a camera off key, and on a laptop the Fn key that switches the camera.
Unplug a USB webcam and plug it into another port, or restart the computer if the camera vanished after sleep.
A picture that is dark or slow (a low "fps arriving" figure) usually means poor light: the camera lengthens each frame to gather light.

The meter does not move, or the sound is very quiet

Pick the right microphone in the list above: a headset, webcam or monitor may each have one.
Check the microphone's own mute switch, and for a headset that it is connected (Bluetooth headsets can switch to a low-quality "headset" mode while the microphone is in use).
Raise the input level: Windows Settings, System, Sound, Input; Mac System Settings, Sound, Input.
If the meter moves here but others cannot hear you in a call, choose the same microphone in that app's settings.

No sound from the speaker test

Check the volume, the mute key and which output is chosen (system sound settings), and on an iPhone the silent switch.
If both sides play from one speaker, the device is mono or set to mono audio in accessibility settings.

Only need the microphone? The Mic Test asks for the microphone alone.

About this webcam test

Check that your webcam works before a video call, an interview, an online exam or a stream. Press Start camera and the picture appears straight away, with the camera's name, the resolution it is really sending (720p, 1080p or 4K) and the frame rate actually arriving, which tells you more than the box it came in. Switch between cameras, or between the front and back camera on a phone, take a snapshot to check framing and light, and record a five-second clip to see and hear yourself as others will.

The same page tests your microphone with a live level meter and a quick record-and-play-back, and your speakers or headphones with a tone in the left and right ear. Everything happens in your browser: the picture and sound never leave your device, nothing is uploaded or stored, and the camera light goes off as soon as you turn the camera off or leave the page.

What you can check

Live camera preview, mirrored like a mirror or not
The resolution and frame rate the camera really delivers, and whether it faces you or away
Every camera on the device, with a list to switch between them and a front/back switch on phones
Ask for 720p, 1080p or 4K and see what the camera gives
A snapshot saved as a PNG, at the camera's full resolution
A five-second test clip with sound, played back on the page
A microphone level meter in decibels, with a record-and-play-back test
A left/right speaker and headphone test
Fixes for blocked permissions, a camera in use by another app, and the privacy settings on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android

How to test your webcam

Press Start camera and allow the camera when the browser asks.
Check the picture and the resolution and frame rate under it. If you have more than one camera, pick another from the list, or press Switch front / back on a phone.
Press Take a snapshot or Record a 5-second test clip to see the result.
Press Start microphone and speak to check the sound, then try the speaker buttons.

Questions

Is my camera picture uploaded or recorded?: No. The picture goes from the camera to this page in your browser and nowhere else; nothing is sent to this site or stored. Snapshots and test clips are made only when you press their buttons, are kept in the page's memory, and disappear when you leave the page unless you download them.
Why does my webcam show a lower resolution than advertised?: The browser chooses a mode the camera offers that fits what the page asks for, so choose 1080p or 4K under Ask for to try a higher one. Many webcams send their full resolution only at a lower frame rate, over USB 3, or with the maker's app; a laptop camera sold as "HD" is often 720p. Video call apps then usually send less than the camera gives, depending on your connection.
Why is the frame rate low or the picture laggy?: Poor light is the usual reason: in a dim room a webcam keeps each frame open longer to gather light, so 30 fps drops to 15 or fewer. Face a window or a lamp and watch the "fps arriving" number rise. A busy USB hub or an old computer can also slow it.
Why is my picture mirrored?: The preview of a front camera is shown mirrored, as most video call apps do, because that is what people expect to see of themselves; the other people in a call see you the right way round. Untick Mirror to see the camera's true view; a snapshot is saved as the preview shows it.
It says the camera could not be started. What now?: Another app is almost always holding the camera: close Zoom, Teams, Skype, FaceTime, OBS or another browser tab using it and try again. If the browser says it is blocked, the "Not working? Fixes" section above shows where to allow it in each browser and in Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android privacy settings.
Can I test my phone camera, front and back?: Yes. On an iPhone or iPad use Safari or Chrome, and on Android Chrome or Samsung Internet. Press Switch front / back to try both cameras; the resolution shown is the one the browser gets, which can be lower than the phone's own camera app records.

To record yourself, use the Screen Recorder, which can add your webcam in a corner, or the Voice Recorder for sound only. The Mic Test checks just the microphone.