How to test your webcam online
- Press Start camera. Your browser asks for permission; choose Allow.
- If you have more than one camera (a built-in FaceTime camera, a USB webcam, an iPhone used as a Continuity Camera), pick it from the Camera list.
- Check the preview. It is mirrored so it behaves like a mirror, which is how most video call apps show you to yourself. Other people see the unmirrored image, which is what Save snapshot downloads.
- Read the numbers under the preview: the resolution the camera is actually sending, and the frame rate measured from frames as they arrive.
- Press Stop when you are done. The camera light should go off.
Nothing is uploaded. The video goes from your camera to this page and nowhere else.
What the numbers mean
| Reading | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Resolution | The size of each frame the browser receives. If you asked for 1080p and see 1280×720, the camera or the browser couldn’t deliver more. |
| Measured fps | Frames counted over the last two seconds. Most webcams aim for 30. A figure near 15 usually means the camera lowered its frame rate to get a brighter picture in dim light. |
| Reported fps | What the browser says the camera is set to. If this says 30 but the measured figure is lower, the camera is dropping frames. |
To get a steadier 30 fps, add light in front of you. A window or a desk lamp behind the screen helps more than any setting.
Test camera on Mac: fixing permission
If the preview stays black or you get a “blocked” message, macOS or the browser is refusing access.
macOS camera permission
- Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera.
- Turn on the switch next to your browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Arc and so on).
- Quit the browser fully (Cmd+Q) and open it again. macOS only applies the change after a restart of the app.
If your browser is not in the list, it has never asked. Press Start camera once and the macOS prompt should appear.
Browser permission
- Chrome, Edge, Arc: click the icon left of the address bar, then set Camera to Allow. Or go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Camera.
- Safari: Safari > Settings > Websites > Camera, then set this site to Allow.
- Firefox: click the camera icon in the address bar and remove the block, then reload.
Camera in use or not found
Only one app can usually hold a camera at a time on some setups. Quit video call apps and recorders, unplug and replug a USB webcam, and try a different USB port or hub. On a MacBook, the built-in camera does not work with the lid closed.
FAQ
How do I test my webcam online?
Press Start camera on this page and allow access when your browser asks. You will see a live preview, the resolution and the measured frame rate. The video stays in your browser and is never uploaded.
How do I test my camera on a Mac?
Open this page in any browser and press Start camera, or open Photo Booth or FaceTime. If the picture is black, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera, turn on your browser, then quit and reopen it.
Why is my webcam not working in the browser?
Usually the browser or macOS has blocked access, or another app is using the camera. Allow the camera in the site settings and in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera, and quit video call apps.
Why is my webcam frame rate low?
Most webcams lower their frame rate in dim light to get a brighter picture, often from 30 to 15 fps. Add light in front of you. A busy USB hub or an older USB port can also limit it.