Why is my webcam choppy?
- Low light. Many webcams slow down to 15 fps or less in a dark room to gather more light. Add light and watch the FPS rise.
- Busy computer. Close browser tabs and apps you don't need, especially other video apps.
- USB bandwidth. Plug the webcam straight into the computer, not a hub, and use a USB 3 port for 1080p60 or 4K.
- Driver or app settings. Some webcam apps let you choose between higher resolution and higher frame rate.
Webcam FPS questions
What is a good FPS for a webcam?
30 fps is the standard for video calls and looks smooth. 60 fps is smoother for streaming. Anything under 20 fps starts to look choppy.
Why is my webcam FPS low?
The most common reason is low light: cameras slow down to collect more light. Other causes are a busy computer, a USB hub or a slow USB port.
How is FPS measured here?
The page counts the frames your browser actually receives from the camera each second, which can differ from the frame rate the camera reports.
More free camera and audio tests
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- Compare webcamsTwo cameras side by side
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