RecBeamPart of Chrome screen recorder
Chrome has no built-in recorder on Windows or Mac. Use your operating system's recorder, or a Chrome extension such as RecBeam that records a tab, window or screen and gives you a share link.
Which method should you use?
All three routes produce a video file or a link. The right one depends on how long the recording is and what you want to do next.
| Method | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in recorder (Windows, Mac, Chromebook) | A quick clip you will save as a file | No share link. You upload the file somewhere yourself. |
| Chrome extension such as RecBeam | Explaining something and sharing it as a link | Records what Chrome's picker can see. Needs a one-time install. |
Screen record in Chrome with audio in 60 seconds
The fastest way to screen record in Chrome with sound is a screen recorder extension: it records straight from the browser and gives you a link when you stop. With the RecBeam Chrome screen recorder:
- Add RecBeam to Chrome from the Download page and sign in with Google.
- Open the extension and pick Screen only, Screen + Camera or Camera only. Leave the microphone on to record your voice.
- Press Start recording. In Chrome's picker choose the Chrome Tab you want, tick Also share tab audio and press Share.
- Press Stop. The recording uploads and your share link is ready.
It is free to start (recordings up to 5 minutes). If you would rather keep a file on your computer, the built-in recorders below do that.
Method 1: the built-in recorder on your computer
- Windows: press Windows + G to open Xbox Game Bar and start a capture, or use the Snipping Tool, which can record video on current versions of Windows 11.
- Mac: press Shift + Command + 5, then choose to record the entire screen or a selected portion.
- Chromebook: press Ctrl + Shift + Show windows and pick the screen recording option.
These tools save a video file to your computer. That is fine for a personal record, but you still have to upload and share the file yourself.
Method 2: record in Chrome with an extension
A Chrome extension runs from your toolbar, uses Chrome's own screen-capture picker and can upload the recording for you. With RecBeam's screen recorder:
- Install RecBeam from the Download page and sign in with Google.
- Choose Screen only, Screen + Camera or Camera only.
- Select a tab, a window or your whole screen in Chrome's picker.
- Record with the floating controls: pause, resume, mute, or hide your camera.
- Stop. The recording uploads automatically and you get a link to share.
Starter recordings run up to 5 minutes and Business removes the limit. RecBeam records what Chrome's picker can capture, so native desktop apps outside the browser are limited to what that picker supports. To record any app on a Windows PC, use RecBeam for Windows. The full list of what the extension does is on the Chrome screen recorder page.
How to record audio
There are three different kinds of sound, and each is switched on in a different place.
- Your voice (microphone). Chrome asks for microphone permission the first time. Allow it, and mute or unmute from the recorder's controls.
- Tab audio. When you share a single tab, tick Also share tab audio in Chrome's picker. This captures the sound the tab plays, such as a video or a call.
- System audio. On Windows, sharing your entire screen offers an Also share system audio option. On macOS, Chrome does not offer system audio for screen or window sharing, so tab audio is the reliable choice there.
Tab, window or entire screen: what Chrome records
Chrome's share picker has three choices, and the choice decides which sound you can capture.
| You share | What is recorded | Audio you can add |
|---|---|---|
| A Chrome tab | Only that tab | Tab audio (tick Also share tab audio) plus your microphone, on every system |
| A window | One application window | Your microphone. Chrome's picker does not offer computer audio for a single window |
| Entire screen | Everything on the display, including notifications | Your microphone, and on Windows system audio (Also share system audio) |
To record a Chrome tab with audio, share the tab and tick the audio box. For the sound of other apps, see how to record internal audio in Chrome.
No sound in your recording? Check these in order
- Did you tick the share-audio checkbox in Chrome's picker before pressing Share? It cannot be added afterwards.
- Is the microphone allowed? Click the lock icon next to the address bar, open Site settings and set Microphone to Allow.
- Is the recorder muted? Look for the mute button in the floating controls.
- Is the right input device selected in your operating system's sound settings?
- Record a 5-second test and play it back before the real take.
Tips for a clearer recording
- Record a single tab or window instead of the full screen. It keeps notifications and unrelated windows out of the video.
- Close chat apps and turn on Do Not Disturb before you start.
- Say what you are about to do before you do it. Viewers follow a recording much more easily when it is narrated.
- Keep it short. One recording per question or task is easier to watch and to share.
Which Chrome screen recorder should you choose?
Choose the built-in recorder when you only need a file for yourself. Choose an extension when the recording is meant for someone else: it uploads for you, gives you a link and keeps your voice, camera and audio choices in one place. RecBeam is built for that job, with comments and reactions on every recording, viewer insights, and bug reports drafted from a recording on the Business + AI plan. See why teams call it the best screen recorder extension for Chrome, or compare plans on the pricing page.
On a Chromebook the same picker rules apply. There is a short guide to screen recording on a Chromebook.
What to do with the recording
Share the link RecBeam gives you, or download the file. Chrome-based recorders commonly save WebM files; if you need an MP4 for an editor or a phone, convert it free in your browser with the WebM to MP4 converter (see WebM vs MP4 for when it matters). A long take can be shortened with the free video trimmer, and a short clip can become a GIF with MP4 to GIF.
Recording to report a problem? Read how to write a bug report so the recording comes with everything a developer needs.
Next step: Ready to record? Add the Chrome screen recorder from RecBeam, free to start, or compare it on the best screen recorder extension for Chrome page.
Questions
How do I screen record on Chrome?
Chrome has no record button of its own, so you use your computer's built-in recorder or a Chrome extension. For a recording you can share as a link, add a screen recorder extension such as RecBeam, press Start recording, choose the Chrome Tab and press Share. The built-in shortcuts for Windows, Mac and Chromebook are in Method 1 above.
How do I record my Chrome screen and my voice at the same time?
Leave the microphone on in your recorder, then choose the Chrome Tab in the picker and tick Also share tab audio before you press Share. The tab sound and your voice are recorded together. The audio box cannot be added after you press Share, so check it first.
How do I screen record in Google Chrome with sound?
Share a tab in Chrome's picker and tick Also share tab audio, and allow the microphone for your voice. A screen recorder extension such as RecBeam does this in a few clicks and gives you a share link. The steps are in the 60-second guide above.
How do I record a Chrome tab with audio?
Start your recorder, choose the Chrome Tab option in the picker, select the tab and tick Also share tab audio before you press Share. The audio box cannot be added after you press Share.
What is the best Chrome extension for screen recording with audio?
RecBeam is built for explaining and sharing: it records your screen, camera and voice with tab or system audio where Chrome supports it, uploads the recording and gives you a link. See the best screen recorder extension for Chrome.
Why is there no sound when I screen record in Chrome?
Usually the share-audio checkbox was not ticked before pressing Share, the microphone is blocked, or the recorder is muted. Work through the checklist above.
Can I record only the audio from Chrome?
Chrome's picker records video together with sound. To keep only the audio, convert the recording with the free MP4 to MP3 converter, which also accepts WebM files.
Does Chrome have a built-in screen recorder?
Not on Windows or Mac. Chromebooks include a Screen capture tool (press Ctrl + Shift + Show windows). On other systems you use the operating system's recorder or a Chrome extension.
Can I record just one browser tab?
Yes. Chrome's share picker lets you choose a single tab, one window or your entire screen. Recording a tab is the easiest way to get clean tab audio.
Is it free to screen record in Chrome?
The built-in recorders are free. RecBeam has a free Starter plan with recordings up to 5 minutes; the Business plan removes the limit. See the pricing page.
Can I show my camera while I record?
Yes. In RecBeam you can choose Screen only, Screen + Camera or Camera only, and hide or show the camera bubble from the floating controls.