# Screen Recorder

> Record your screen directly in the browser using the Screen Capture API

**Category:** Utility
**Keywords:** calculator, tool
**URL:** https://complete.tools/screen-recorder

## How it works

The tool uses two standard browser APIs that do not require any special permissions beyond what the browser already exposes.

**Screen Capture API** (`getDisplayMedia`): When you click Start Recording, the browser prompts you to select what you want to share — a screen, window, or tab. The browser handles this permission dialog itself; the webpage never sees anything you do not explicitly share.

**MediaRecorder API**: Once you grant access, the browser streams video data from your selection into a MediaRecorder. The recorder collects the video in small chunks (every 100 milliseconds) and stores them in memory while you record.

When you stop, the chunks are assembled into a single WebM Blob. A preview URL is created from that Blob using `URL.createObjectURL()`, which gives the video element something to play without any network request. When you download, the same Blob is saved to your Downloads folder with a timestamped filename.

Everything happens locally. No data leaves your browser.

## How to use

1. Click "Start Recording" to open the browser's screen sharing dialog
2. Select the screen, window, or tab you want to record
3. Click Share (or the equivalent button in your browser's dialog)
4. Watch the timer as your recording runs — record as long as you need
5. Click "Stop Recording" when you are done
6. Preview the recording in the video player that appears
7. Click "Download Video" to save the WebM file to your computer
8. Click "Record Again" if you want to start a new recording

## Browser compatibility

The Screen Capture API is supported in:

- **Chrome 72+**: Full support, including tab audio capture
- **Edge 79+**: Full support (Chromium-based)
- **Firefox 66+**: Full support for screen and window capture
- **Safari**: Limited support; screen recording may not work in all versions

If your browser does not support the API, the tool will display an error message explaining this. In that case, try Chrome or Edge for the most reliable experience.

Mobile browsers do not support `getDisplayMedia` — this tool is designed for desktop use only.

## FAQs

**Q:** Does my screen recording get uploaded anywhere?


**A:** No. The Screen Capture API processes everything locally in your browser. Your recording is never sent to any server. The entire workflow — capture, preview, and download — happens on your device.


**Q:** What format is the recording saved in?


**A:** Recordings are saved as WebM, a widely supported open format. Most modern video players and browsers can play it. You can also convert it with tools like HandBrake or FFmpeg to get an MP4 if needed.


**Q:** Which browsers support screen recording?


**A:** Chrome, Edge, and Firefox support the Screen Capture API. Safari has limited support. The tool will show an error message if your browser is not compatible.


**Q:** Can I record audio along with the screen?


**A:** This tool records screen video. Whether audio is included depends on what you select in the browser's share dialog — some options, like "Browser Tab," include tab audio. System audio capture availability varies by operating system and browser.


**Q:** What happens if I close the tab while recording?


**A:** The recording will stop and any data not yet saved will be lost. Always click Stop Recording and download the file before closing the tab.


**Q:** How large will the recording file be?


**A:** File size depends on screen resolution, content complexity, and recording duration. A typical 1080p recording runs roughly 10-30 MB per minute. The WebM format is reasonably compressed without needing any encoding step.


**Q:** Can I record a specific application window instead of the whole screen?


**A:** Yes. When the browser dialog appears asking what to share, switch to the "Window" tab to select a specific application rather than your entire screen.


**Q:** Is there a time limit on recordings?


**A:** There is no artificial limit set by this tool. Your recording will continue until you click Stop Recording or until your browser runs out of memory to store the video chunks. For very long recordings, it is a good idea to stop and restart periodically.

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*Generated from [complete.tools/screen-recorder](https://complete.tools/screen-recorder)*