What Is WebGL Fingerprinting?
WebGL fingerprinting is a browser tracking technique that identifies users by analyzing how their
graphics hardware renders 3D content. Every GPU, driver combination, and operating system produces slightly
different rendering output – creating a unique identifier that websites can use to track you without cookies.
WebGL (Web Graphics Library) is a JavaScript API that enables browsers to render 2D and 3D graphics. While it powers
stunning web experiences, it also exposes detailed information about your hardware that becomes part of your browser
fingerprint.
How WebGL Fingerprinting Works
The Technical Process
- JavaScript execution: Website runs WebGL code in your browser
- GPU information query: Scripts request renderer and vendor details
- Rendering test: Specific 3D scenes are drawn off-screen
- Output capture: The rendered image is converted to data
- Hash creation: Data becomes a unique fingerprint hash
- Database lookup: Hash matches you against known fingerprints
What Information WebGL Reveals
Direct information (via API queries):
- GPU Vendor: NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, Apple, Qualcomm
- GPU Renderer: Specific model (e.g., “NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080”)
- WebGL version: WebGL 1.0 or 2.0 support
- Supported extensions: Which WebGL extensions are available
- Maximum parameters: Texture size, viewport dimensions, vertex attributes
- Shader precision: Floating-point precision formats supported
Indirect information (via rendering):
- Rendering output: Pixel-level differences in 3D scene rendering
- Anti-aliasing behavior: How edges are smoothed differently per GPU
- Color processing: Subtle variations in color space handling
- Driver quirks: Specific rendering behaviors of different driver versions
Why Renders Differ Between Devices
Even the same GPU model can produce different output due to:
- Driver versions: Different driver releases handle rendering slightly differently
- Operating system: Windows, macOS, and Linux use different graphics stacks
- Hardware revision: Manufacturing variations affect GPU behavior
- Compiler differences: Shader compilation produces GPU-specific code
- Configuration: User graphics settings affect rendering paths
WebGL Fingerprinting Techniques
Technique 1: WebGL Report Fingerprinting
The simplest method – queries WebGL API for hardware information:
- Calls
getParameter()to retrieve GPU vendor and renderer - Queries supported extensions list
- Collects maximum parameter values (texture sizes, etc.)
- Combines all data into a unique hash
Effectiveness: Moderate. Reveals hardware but many users share similar configurations.
Technique 2: WebGL Image Fingerprinting
More advanced – renders specific 3D content and captures the result:
- Creates an off-screen WebGL canvas
- Draws specific 3D geometries with particular shaders
- Applies lighting, textures, and transformations
- Reads pixel data using
readPixels()ortoDataURL() - Hashes the pixel data into a fingerprint
Effectiveness: High. Rendering differences are extremely subtle and hard to spoof.
Technique 3: Shader Precision Fingerprinting
Examines how the GPU handles floating-point calculations:
- Tests vertex and fragment shader precision
- Checks for
highp,mediump,lowpsupport - Precision range values vary between GPUs
Technique 4: Extension Fingerprinting
Catalogs which WebGL extensions are supported:
- Extension availability varies by GPU and driver
- Some extensions are vendor-specific
- The combination of supported extensions is identifying
How Unique Is a WebGL Fingerprint?
Research Findings
- WebGL fingerprint alone identifies ~50-60% of users
- Combined with canvas fingerprint: ~85% identification rate
- Combined with full fingerprint suite: ~95%+ identification rate
- Desktop users are more unique than mobile (more GPU diversity)
Factors Affecting Uniqueness
More unique:
- Dedicated GPU (NVIDIA/AMD gaming cards)
- Uncommon GPU models
- Non-standard driver versions
- Custom graphics settings
Less unique:
- Integrated Intel/Apple GPU (many users share these)
- Mobile GPUs (less variation)
- Standard driver versions
- Default graphics settings
Who Uses WebGL Fingerprinting?
Advertising Networks
- Cross-site tracking without cookies
- User identification for targeted advertising
- Audience segmentation and profiling
Security and Fraud Prevention
- Account takeover detection
- Multi-account detection on platforms
- Bot identification
- Payment fraud prevention
Analytics Companies
- Unique visitor counting without cookies
- Session stitching across visits
- Compliance with cookie consent requirements
Testing Your WebGL Fingerprint
Free Tools
BrowserLeaks.com/webgl:
- Shows complete WebGL report
- Displays GPU vendor and renderer
- Lists all supported extensions
- Shows rendered fingerprint image
AmIUnique.org:
- WebGL fingerprint uniqueness comparison
- Shows how your config compares to their database
CreepJS:
- Advanced fingerprint analysis
- Detects fingerprint spoofing attempts
- Useful for testing anti-fingerprint measures
Protecting Against WebGL Fingerprinting
Method 1: Disable WebGL
Firefox:
- Navigate to
about:config - Set
webgl.disabledtotrue
Chrome:
- Navigate to
chrome://flags - Disable WebGL-related flags
Drawbacks:
- Many websites require WebGL for functionality
- Disabling makes you stand out (privacy paradox)
- Google Maps, data visualizations, and games won’t work
Method 2: Browser Extensions
WebGL Fingerprint Defender:
- Adds noise to WebGL output
- Changes fingerprint per session
- Maintains WebGL functionality
Canvas Blocker:
- Blocks or randomizes canvas and WebGL fingerprints
- Configurable protection levels
Drawbacks:
- Extensions themselves can be detected
- Noise patterns can be identified as spoofing
- May break WebGL-dependent websites
Method 3: Privacy Browsers
Brave Browser:
- Randomizes WebGL output per session
- Built-in fingerprint protection
- Maintains website compatibility
Tor Browser:
- Requests permission before allowing WebGL
- Standardizes many fingerprint vectors
- Most private but slowest browsing
Firefox (Strict Mode):
- Enhanced Tracking Protection blocks some fingerprinting
privacy.resistFingerprintingstandardizes output
Method 4: Antidetect Browsers (Best for Multi-Account)
Send.win and similar tools:
- Generate unique, realistic WebGL fingerprints per profile
- Match GPU vendor/renderer to claimed OS and browser
- Consistent fingerprint within each profile (builds trust)
- Different fingerprint between profiles (prevents linking)
This is the best approach for managing multiple accounts because each profile has a believable fingerprint
that doesn’t look spoofed.
WebGL Fingerprinting vs. Other Techniques
| Technique | Uniqueness | Persistence | Easy to Block |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cookies | Perfect | Until deleted | Yes |
| Canvas Fingerprint | High | Until system change | Moderate |
| WebGL Fingerprint | High | Until driver/GPU change | Difficult |
| Audio Fingerprint | Medium-High | Until system change | Difficult |
| Font Fingerprint | Medium | Until font changes | Moderate |
| IP Address | Low (shared) | Dynamic | Yes (VPN/Proxy) |
WebGL 2.0 and Fingerprinting
WebGL 2.0 introduces additional fingerprinting surface:
- More extensions and capabilities to enumerate
- New texture formats reveal more GPU details
- Transform feedback exposes shader compilation differences
- Additional parameter queries provide more identifying data
How Send.win Helps You Master Webgl Fingerprinting
Send.win makes Webgl Fingerprinting simple and secure with powerful browser isolation technology:
- Browser Isolation – Every tab runs in a sandboxed environment
- Cloud Sync – Access your sessions from any device
- Multi-Account Management – Manage unlimited accounts safely
- No Installation Required – Works instantly in your browser
- Affordable Pricing – Enterprise features without enterprise costs
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- Instant Access – Start testing in seconds
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As WebGL evolves, fingerprinting surface area grows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be tracked by WebGL fingerprint alone?
WebGL fingerprint alone achieves ~50-60% unique identification. Combined with other fingerprint vectors (canvas,
fonts, screen), identification rates exceed 95%. It’s rarely used alone but is a powerful component of comprehensive
fingerprinting.
Does using a VPN protect against WebGL fingerprinting?
No. VPNs change your IP address but don’t affect WebGL rendering. Your GPU produces the same fingerprint regardless
of your network connection.
Does WebGL fingerprinting work on mobile?
Yes, but mobile fingerprints are less unique because fewer GPU models exist. Still, combined with other mobile
fingerprint vectors, identification is effective.
Can websites detect if I’m spoofing my WebGL fingerprint?
Sophisticated anti-fingerprint detection can spot inconsistencies. For example, if your user agent claims Windows
with an NVIDIA GPU but your WebGL reports an Apple GPU, the mismatch is suspicious. Quality antidetect tools like
Send.win ensure consistency.
Will future browsers eliminate WebGL fingerprinting?
Browser vendors are working to reduce fingerprinting, but WebGL’s fundamental design exposes hardware differences.
WebGPU (successor to WebGL) may introduce new fingerprinting vectors even as others are closed.
Conclusion
WebGL fingerprinting is a powerful tracking technique that exploits the unavoidable differences in how GPUs render
graphics. It’s persistent, difficult to block without breaking websites, and becomes highly effective when combined
with other fingerprinting methods.
For personal privacy, use browsers with built-in fingerprint protection like Brave or Firefox with strict settings.
For professional multi-account management, Send.win provides unique, realistic WebGL fingerprints
per profile – ensuring each account has a believable, non-detectable identity.
Test your current WebGL fingerprint at BrowserLeaks.com to understand your exposure, and choose your protection
strategy based on whether you need anonymity or identity separation.