WebGL Version

Back to Main

Your WebGL Version

Detecting...

Note: This shows which WebGL version your browser supports.

1. Technical Classification

Graphics API Version Browser Feature OpenGL ES Based Feature Detection

WebGL version indicates which generation of the WebGL graphics API your browser and GPU support. The version determines what graphics features and capabilities are available to web applications:

2. Background & Purpose

WebGL was developed by the Khronos Group to bring hardware-accelerated 3D graphics to the web without plugins. The version number reflects the evolution of web graphics capabilities.

WebGL 1.0 (2011)

WebGL 2.0 (2017)

Why Version Detection Matters

Developers need to know the WebGL version to:

3. Possible Values & Detection

Version States

WebGL 2.0 Supported

Typical string: "WebGL 2.0" or "WebGL2RenderingContext"

Indicates: Modern browser + capable GPU/drivers

Common on: Desktop Chrome/Firefox/Edge (2018+), modern Safari

WebGL 1.0 Only

Typical string: "WebGL 1.0" or "WebGLRenderingContext"

Indicates: Older browser, older GPU, or limited drivers

Common on: Older mobile devices, Safari iOS (before iOS 15), legacy browsers

Not Supported

String: "Not supported" or null context

Indicates: Very old browser, disabled WebGL, or blacklisted GPU

Common on: IE 10 and older, privacy-focused browsers with WebGL disabled

Detection Code

function detectWebGLVersion() { const canvas = document.createElement('canvas'); // Try WebGL 2.0 first const gl2 = canvas.getContext('webgl2'); if (gl2) { const version = gl2.getParameter(gl2.VERSION); return { version: 'WebGL 2.0', versionString: version }; } // Fall back to WebGL 1.0 const gl = canvas.getContext('webgl') || canvas.getContext('experimental-webgl'); if (gl) { const version = gl.getParameter(gl.VERSION); return { version: 'WebGL 1.0', versionString: version }; } return { version: 'Not supported', versionString: null }; }

Version String Examples

4. Legitimate Use Cases

Feature Detection & Fallbacks

Performance Optimization

Graphics Quality

Web Applications

5. Browser & Platform Support

Browser/Platform WebGL 1.0 WebGL 2.0 Notes
Chrome Desktop Yes (since v9, 2011) Yes (since v56, 2017) Full support, best performance
Firefox Desktop Yes (since v4, 2011) Yes (since v51, 2017) Excellent support
Safari Desktop Yes (since 5.1, 2011) Yes (since 15, 2021) Late WebGL 2.0 adoption
Edge Desktop Yes Yes Chromium-based, same as Chrome
Chrome Android Yes Yes (most devices) Depends on GPU/drivers
Safari iOS Yes (since iOS 8, 2014) Yes (since iOS 15, 2021) Late WebGL 2.0 support
Firefox Android Yes Limited WebGL 2.0 disabled on many devices
Internet Explorer 11 Yes No Deprecated browser

Why Some Devices Only Support WebGL 1.0

WebGL 2.0 Adoption Rate (2024)

6. Privacy Implications & Tracking Risks

Privacy Risk: MEDIUM

WebGL version is a moderate fingerprinting factor. While not highly unique on its own (only 3 possible values), it contributes to browser fingerprinting when combined with other attributes.

Fingerprinting Contribution

Limited Uniqueness Alone

WebGL version has only three possible values:

  • WebGL 2.0 supported (~85% of users)
  • WebGL 1.0 only (~10% of users)
  • No WebGL support (~5% of users)

This provides minimal entropy by itself, but becomes powerful when combined with other data.

Combined Fingerprinting

WebGL version combines with other attributes for stronger identification:

  • WebGL version + GPU vendor: Narrows down device type significantly
  • WebGL version + OS: Safari + WebGL 1.0 = older iOS device
  • WebGL version + browser version: Detects outdated browsers
  • WebGL version + supported extensions: Creates unique capability profile

What WebGL Version Reveals

Device Age & Quality

WebGL version can indicate device generation:

  • WebGL 2.0: Modern device (post-2017), up-to-date drivers
  • WebGL 1.0 only: Older device or outdated drivers, budget hardware
  • No WebGL: Very old device, privacy-focused user, or corporate restrictions

Platform Hints

  • iOS + WebGL 1.0: iPhone/iPad running iOS 14 or older
  • Safari + WebGL 1.0: macOS Big Sur or older
  • Android + WebGL 2.0: Relatively modern Android device

Cross-Site Tracking

While WebGL version alone doesn't enable strong tracking, it's a stable attribute that:

Privacy Impact Compared to Other Attributes

Attribute Uniqueness Stability
GPU Renderer Very High Very High
Canvas Fingerprint Very High High
Screen Resolution Medium-High High
WebGL Version Low High
Timezone Low-Medium Medium
Language Low High

7. How to Control WebGL Version Exposure

1. Disable WebGL Entirely (Maximum Privacy)

Firefox

1. Type about:config in the address bar

2. Search for webgl.disabled

3. Set to true

Result: No WebGL version exposed, websites see "not supported"

Chrome/Edge

1. Navigate to chrome://flags

2. Search for "WebGL"

3. Disable both "WebGL" and "WebGL 2.0"

4. Restart browser

Trade-off: Many websites will break (maps, games, 3D visualizations)

2. Limit WebGL 2.0 (Reduce Fingerprint Precision)

Force WebGL 1.0 in Firefox

1. Type about:config

2. Search for webgl.disable-webgl2

3. Set to true

Effect: You appear as WebGL 1.0 user (larger anonymity set)

Anonymity Set Strategy

By reporting WebGL 1.0 instead of 2.0, you join a smaller but still significant group (~10% vs ~85%). This provides some privacy benefit without completely breaking functionality.

3. Privacy-Focused Browsers

4. Firefox Fingerprint Resistance

Enable privacy.resistFingerprinting

1. Type about:config

2. Search for privacy.resistFingerprinting

3. Set to true

Effect: Firefox standardizes many attributes including WebGL behavior

5. Browser Extensions

What Doesn't Help

Recommended Approach

  1. Low-privacy needs: Keep WebGL 2.0 enabled (best functionality)
  2. Moderate privacy: Disable webgl.enable-debug-renderer-info (blocks GPU model)
  3. High privacy: Force WebGL 1.0 or disable WebGL 2.0
  4. Maximum privacy: Disable WebGL entirely or use Tor Browser

8. Learn More