How to record video from your webcam
- Click Enable camera and allow camera and microphone access when the browser asks.
- Choose your camera, microphone (or No microphone), resolution and output format.
- Click Record to start, Pause to hold, and Stop to finish. Click Snapshot any time for a photo.
- Play back each recording under the preview and click Download to save it, or Discard to remove it.
What you can do with Webcam Recorder
- Video with sound
- Record your camera and microphone together, or choose No microphone for silent clips.
- Camera and mic selection
- Switch between built-in and external webcams or microphones from dropdowns, including front and back cameras on phones.
- 480p, 720p or 1080p
- Request the resolution you need. The browser uses the closest size your camera actually supports.
- Snapshots as PNG
- Grab a full-resolution still from the live feed at any moment, even while recording, and download it as a PNG.
- Mirror preview
- Selfie-style mirrored view by default, which also applies to snapshots. Untick it to see and save the true orientation.
- Multiple takes
- Each recording appears in its own card, so you can record several takes, compare them and keep only the best.
Tips for better webcam recordings
The webcam recorder uses getUserMedia to open your camera and MediaRecorder to encode the video, both standard browser features. The browser asks for permission the first time, and you can revoke it at any time from the camera icon in the address bar. Because recording happens locally, it is a quick way to make a video message, a self-introduction for a job application, a product demo or a test clip to check how you look and sound before a call, without installing an app or creating an account.
Lighting matters more than resolution: face a window or lamp rather than sitting with a bright light behind you. 720p is a good default that most laptop cameras deliver natively; 1080p only helps if your camera supports it, and many built-in webcams don't. The mirrored preview feels natural, but text on a shirt or sign appears reversed in mirrored snapshots, so untick Mirror for anything with writing. Note that the mirror setting only affects the preview and snapshots; video recordings are saved unmirrored, the way others see you.
Frequently asked questions
Is my webcam video uploaded or stored online?
No. The camera stream is recorded by your browser and kept in memory on your device until you download or discard it. Nothing is sent to a server. Closing the tab removes any recordings you haven't saved and turns the camera off.
Why isn't my camera working?
Check that you clicked Allow when the browser asked, and that no other app such as Zoom or Teams is using the camera. If you denied access earlier, click the camera icon in the address bar to reset the permission. On a Mac, the browser also needs camera access in System Settings, Privacy & Security.
Does the webcam recorder work on phones?
Yes. It works in Chrome, Safari and Firefox on Android and iPhone. Use the Camera dropdown to switch between the front and back cameras. Downloaded videos go to your Downloads folder or the Files app, from where you can move them to your gallery.
Why is my recording mirrored or not mirrored?
The preview is mirrored by default to feel like a mirror, and snapshots follow that setting. Video recordings are always saved as the camera sees you, unmirrored, so text reads correctly. Untick Mirror preview to see the true orientation while recording.
What format are webcam recordings saved in?
WebM or MP4, whichever you choose from the formats your browser supports. Snapshots are saved as PNG at the camera's full resolution. To trim the start and end of a take, open it in the Video Trimmer.