What resolution do you need for video calls?
- 720p (HD)
- 1280 × 720. Enough for Zoom, Teams and Meet in most meetings, which rarely send more than this.
- 1080p (Full HD)
- 1920 × 1080. Sharper in speaker view and recordings, and gives room to crop.
- 4K (UHD)
- 3840 × 2160. Useful for streaming and recording, but meeting apps scale it down.
A camera's sensor and lens matter more than its resolution. A good 1080p webcam in good light looks better than a cheap 4K one in a dark room. If your camera supports less than you expected, try a different USB port (USB 3 for 4K), close other apps using the camera, and update its driver.
Webcam resolution questions
How do I check my webcam resolution?
Press Test my webcam resolution. The page asks your camera for each common size, from 320 × 240 to 3840 × 2160, and lists which ones it delivers, plus the maximum.
Why does my 1080p webcam show 720p in Zoom?
Meeting apps choose the resolution they send based on your connection, layout and settings. Zoom needs HD turned on, and some plans or meetings limit video to 720p.
Why is my maximum resolution lower than the box says?
The browser may be limited by the USB port, another app using the camera, or the driver. A USB 2 port often cannot carry 4K.
More free camera and audio tests
- Webcam testSee how you look on Zoom, Teams and Meet
- Zoom camera testThe exact crop Zoom shows
- Teams camera testCheck your camera before Microsoft Teams
- Google Meet camera testCheck your camera before Google Meet
- Webcam mirrorMirror with a screen ring light
- Webcam recorderRecord a test video with sound
- Take a webcam photoCountdown photos you can save
- Webcam FPS testMeasure real frames per second
- Compare webcamsTwo cameras side by side
- Mic testCheck your microphone level and sound
- Speaker testLeft, right and bass test tones
- Headphone testLeft/right, stereo and phase check