Record video from your webcam in the browser
This free webcam recorder turns any laptop camera, USB webcam or phone camera into a simple video recorder. Choose the camera and microphone, pick 480p, 720p or 1080p, and press record — a countdown gives you a moment to get ready, and you can pause and resume as often as you like. When you stop, the video plays back straight away so you can check it before saving.
Use it for video messages, job applications, class assignments, product questions, vlogs or a quick hello to family. Save as MP4 for phones, WhatsApp, PowerPoint and video editors, or WebM for the web. Recording uses your browser’s own MediaRecorder, and the file stays on your device — there is no upload, no account and no watermark.
How to use the Webcam Recorder
- Press Start camera and allow the camera and microphone when the browser asks. Choose another camera, microphone or resolution from the lists if you have more than one.
- Pick Save as (MP4 or WebM), the quality and a countdown. The size estimate shows roughly how much space a minute of video takes.
- Press Start recording. The red REC badge and the timer show that recording is running; use Pause and Resume to skip parts.
- Press Stop. Watch the playback, then give the file a name and press Download video, or press “Record again”.
Webcam Recorder features
Camera and mic selection
Choose any connected camera and microphone, or record video without sound.
480p to 1080p
Requests 640×480, 1280×720 or 1920×1080; the camera delivers the closest size it supports, shown after recording.
Mirror, countdown, pause
A mirrored preview feels natural while you talk; the saved video is not flipped. Count down 3, 5 or 10 seconds and pause as often as you need.
Live size estimate
See the size recorded so far and the expected size per minute, based on the actual data rate.
MP4 or WebM
MP4 with H.264 and AAC where the browser records it, otherwise the WebM recording is converted to MP4 on your device.
Seekable files
The finished file is rewritten with a proper duration and index, so it seeks correctly in every player.
How the recording is made
The browser’s MediaRecorder API compresses the camera picture and microphone sound while you record — VP9 or VP8 video with Opus sound in WebM, or H.264 video with AAC sound in MP4 where the browser supports it (current Chrome, Edge and Safari do). Recorders write their files in pieces as they go, which leaves WebM files without a duration and MP4 files with a fragmented index, so some players show “0:00” or can’t jump around. When you stop, the open-source Mediabunny library (MPL-2.0) rewrites the container — copying the audio and video without re-encoding them — so the file seeks properly everywhere.
If you choose MP4 in a browser that can only record WebM (some versions of Firefox, for example), the recording is converted to H.264 and AAC on your device with WebCodecs after you stop; the progress bar shows how far it has got. Conversion takes a little time for long recordings, and if your browser cannot encode H.264 the WebM file is kept and you are told so.
File size and quality
Sizes include about 1 MB per minute of sound and are estimates: a still background compresses better than movement, and some browsers use their own bitrate.
| Quality | Video bitrate | About per minute | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 2.5 Mbps | 19 MB | Video messages, email, chat apps |
| High | 5 Mbps | 37 MB | Most recordings, 720p and 1080p |
| Very high | 8 Mbps | 58 MB | Detailed 1080p, editing later |
Tips for a better webcam video
- Face a window or a lamp; light from behind the camera is the cheapest way to a sharper, less noisy picture.
- Put the camera at eye level and look into the lens, not at your own preview.
- Check the picture and sound first with the webcam test and the mic test.
- To show slides or an app as well, use the screen recorder with its webcam overlay.
- Recordings live in the tab’s memory: download long ones straight away. Afterwards you can add your logo with the video watermark tool.
Webcam Recorder FAQ
How do I record a video with my webcam online?
Press “Start camera”, allow access, then press “Start recording”. Press Stop when you are done, watch the playback and press “Download video”. Nothing is installed or uploaded.
Can I save the webcam recording as MP4?
Yes. Choose MP4 under “Save as”. Chrome, Edge and Safari record MP4 directly; in other browsers the recording is converted to MP4 on your device after you stop.
Why is my video mirrored?
Only the preview is mirrored, because that feels natural when you look at yourself. The saved video shows you as other people see you, so text on your T-shirt reads the right way. Untick “Mirror the preview” if you prefer.
Is there a time limit?
No fixed limit. Long recordings are held in your browser’s memory until you download them, so very long sessions at high quality can run out of memory on phones; download each recording promptly.
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes, in Safari on iOS 14.3 or later and in Chrome on Android. Choose the front or back camera from the Camera list once access is allowed.
Is my recording uploaded anywhere?
No. The camera stream is recorded inside your browser and the file only leaves the tab when you download it.