Webcam Recorder

About the Webcam Recorder

This free webcam recorder turns your browser into a video camera. Turn on the camera, press Start recording, talk, and press Stop. You can watch the video at once and download it.

It records picture and sound — your webcam and your microphone. A 3-2-1 countdown gives you time to get ready, and Pause lets you stop for a moment without making a second file.

Everything happens on your device. The video is never uploaded, and nobody else can see it.

Features

• Camera and microphone — choose which ones to use, or record with no sound
• Quality — 480p, 720p HD or 1080p Full HD, if your camera can do it
• 3-2-1 countdown — so the video does not start with you reaching for the mouse
• Pause and resume — still one video at the end
• Recording time — shown on the video and under it while you record
• Mirror preview — see yourself like in a mirror while you record
• Take a photo — save a still picture from the camera as a PNG
• Saves as MP4 where the browser can, WebM where it cannot — the page tells you which

MP4 or WebM?

The browser does the recording, so the file type depends on the browser:

• Safari, and new versions of Chrome and Edge record MP4. It plays everywhere
• Firefox and older Chrome record WebM. It plays in Chrome, Firefox and VLC, and YouTube takes it. For an MP4, run it through the Video Converter

The tool writes the real length into a WebM file before you download it, so players can show the time and jump around in it.

Common uses

• Video messages — a quick hello for a friend, a team or a customer
• Job applications — record a video introduction or practise for an interview
• Lessons and how-to clips — explain something face to face
• Social media — record a short clip for a post
• Testing your setup — see and hear how you come across before a video call

To record your screen instead, use the Screen Recorder. To only check that your camera works, use the Webcam Test.

Frequently asked questions

Is the webcam recorder free?

Yes. There is no sign-up, no time limit and no watermark.

Is my video uploaded anywhere?

No. The video is recorded by your browser and kept in this page until you download it. Nothing is sent to a server. If you close the tab before you download, the video is gone.

Why is the saved video not mirrored?

The mirror only changes the preview, so it feels like looking in a mirror. The video and the photo are saved the way other people see you — text on your shirt reads the right way round.

How long can I record?

There is no fixed limit. The video is kept in your computer's memory while you record, so very long HD videos (an hour or more) can slow down an older computer or a phone.

The camera does not turn on. What can I do?

Check that you pressed Allow when the browser asked. Close other apps that use the camera, such as Zoom or Teams, and reload the page. On a laptop, check for a camera switch or a key that turns it off.

Can I record without sound?

Yes. Choose No sound in the Microphone list.

How to use it

• Press Turn on the camera and allow the camera and microphone
• Choose the camera, microphone and quality you want
• Press Start recording — the countdown runs, then recording starts
• Use Pause and Resume if you need a break
• Press Stop, watch the video, then press Download video