WebGL Test: Check Graphics Support in Your Browser
Find out whether WebGL 1 and 2 work, which graphics card the browser is using, its key limits and extensions, and watch a live 3D scene render.
Checking graphics support…
Graphics details
WebGL is what lets a browser draw 3D graphics with your graphics card: browser games, 3D product viewers, maps, data visualisations and creative tools all depend on it. When it is missing or running in slow software mode, those sites either refuse to load or crawl along at a few frames per second. This WebGL test tells you in seconds whether WebGL 1 and WebGL 2 are available, whether WebGPU is present, which graphics card your browser is actually using, and what its key limits are.
It also renders a lit, spinning 3D cube with its own frame rate counter, so you can see hardware acceleration working rather than just reading about it. Every supported extension is listed below, and Copy report puts the whole summary on your clipboard.
How to run the WebGL test
- Open the page. Detection runs instantly and the cube starts spinning if WebGL works.
- Read the notice. Green means WebGL is using hardware acceleration. Orange means software rendering, which is slow.
- Check the Renderer line in Graphics details to see which GPU the browser picked.
- Glance at the Render FPS. A smooth cube should run at your display refresh rate.
- Press Copy report if you are sending details to a developer or support team.
What the WebGL test checks
WebGL 1, WebGL 2 and WebGPU
WebGL 1 is supported almost everywhere and covers most 3D content. WebGL 2 adds modern features used by newer games and engines, such as better textures and multisample antialiasing. WebGPU is the next generation graphics API, now shipping in major browsers, and some cutting-edge demos require it.
Renderer and vendor
These identify the graphics hardware and driver the browser is using. On laptops with two GPUs, this reveals whether the browser is running on the powerful dedicated chip or the power saving integrated one. Some browsers mask the exact model for privacy and show a generic name instead.
Limits
Max texture size, viewport, renderbuffer size, texture units and vertex attributes describe how big and complex a scene the GPU can handle. Most users never need to think about them, but developers use them to decide which quality settings to offer.
Extensions
Extensions add optional capabilities, such as compressed texture formats, floating point rendering or instancing. A long list usually means a capable, up to date driver.
Reading the 3D render
The cube is drawn with a small vertex and fragment shader, the same kind of GPU programs every 3D site uses, and lit so each face shows a different shade. Watch the edges: with antialiasing on they look smooth, without it they show fine stair steps. The Render FPS counter reports how many frames per second the scene draws, and a healthy GPU matches your display refresh rate with ease. If the cube stutters or the counter sits far below your refresh rate, the GPU is busy with something else, throttling from heat, or not being used at all.
Dual GPU laptops
Many gaming and creator laptops have an integrated GPU for battery life and a dedicated one for performance. Browsers often default to the integrated chip. If the Renderer line names Intel or AMD Radeon Graphics on a laptop that also has an NVIDIA or Radeon RX card, you can assign the browser to the high performance GPU in your system graphics settings and reload this page to confirm the change.
Understanding your results
| Result | What it means |
|---|---|
| Both WebGL versions supported, hardware GPU named | Ideal, 3D sites will run well |
| Renderer mentions SwiftShader, llvmpipe or Basic Render | Software rendering, slow and power hungry |
| WebGL 2 not available | Old browser, old driver, or a blocked GPU |
| WebGL not available at all | Disabled in settings or blocked by the driver |
| Cube FPS well below refresh rate | GPU busy, throttled or running in software mode |
If the cube runs smoothly but games or apps still stutter, measure performance under load with the FPS test, which scales the workload up to thousands of animated objects.
How to fix WebGL problems
- Turn on hardware acceleration. In Chrome and Edge it is under Settings, System. In Firefox, under Settings, Performance. Restart the browser afterwards.
- Update your graphics driver. Browsers block WebGL on drivers with known bugs, and updating often unlocks it.
- Update your browser. WebGL 2 and WebGPU support improves with each release.
- Choose the dedicated GPU for your browser in Windows graphics settings or your GPU control panel on dual GPU laptops.
- Disable conflicting extensions that block canvas or graphics access for privacy.
Why WebGL support matters
Browser games
Most browser games from simple puzzles to full 3D shooters use WebGL, and software rendering can make them unplayable.
Work and creative tools
Online design, CAD, mapping and video tools rely on WebGL to stay responsive with large projects.
Battery life
Software rendering uses the processor for graphics work, which drains laptop batteries quickly and makes fans spin.
For a complete picture of your setup, the browser information tool lists your browser, operating system and supported features, and the screen resolution test shows the pixel count your GPU is driving. Check that the display keeps up with the refresh rate test, and inspect panel quality in the monitor test.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if WebGL is working?
If the cube on this page spins smoothly and the notice is green, WebGL is working with hardware acceleration.
What is the difference between WebGL and WebGL 2?
WebGL 2 is a newer version with more advanced graphics features. Most modern browsers support both, and many newer games and engines prefer WebGL 2.
What does software rendering mean?
The browser is drawing 3D graphics with the processor instead of the graphics card. It works but is much slower and uses more power.
Why does it not show my exact graphics card?
Some browsers, including Safari and Firefox in some modes, hide the exact GPU model for privacy and report a generic name instead.
What is WebGPU?
WebGPU is a newer graphics and compute API that gives web apps more direct, efficient access to the GPU. It is now available in major browsers.
How do I enable WebGL?
Turn on hardware acceleration in your browser settings, update your graphics driver, and restart the browser.
Why does WebGL work in one browser but not another?
Each browser has its own list of blocked drivers and settings. Try updating both the browser and the graphics driver.
Does WebGL use my dedicated graphics card?
It uses whichever GPU the browser selects. On laptops you can assign the high performance GPU in system settings.
Is WebGL safe?
Yes. It runs inside the browser's security sandbox like other web features.
Related tools
Your GPU is ready. How does it hold up under load?
Push your browser with thousands of animated objects and watch the frame rate, 1% lows and stutter.