A web page will open with your system specs where you can look for info about your webcam. To find the aspect ratio of your webcam in macOS, click on the Apple icon | About This Mac | Support | Specifications. An image of high enough quality that it doesn’t look fuzzy when blown up in Zoom.

An image that matches the aspect ratio of your webcam.

To make your images fit properly, and look good, you need two things: If the image you want to use doesn’t match the aspect ratio of your camera, however, portions of it will be cut off, as in Figure B.Įach of the color bars in the 1280 x 1024 image I set as my virtual background should be the same width, but they’re cut off at the edges because Zoom automatically centers images. Zoom doesn’t actually restrict the image size or dimensions usable as virtual backgrounds, so any image will work. The rest of this tutorial assumes you are familiar with turning virtual backgrounds on and off. SEE: How to use Zoom: 14 tips and tricks (TechRepublic download) How to determine the size and shape of your custom Zoom backgroundįirst, if you’re not sure how to use Zoom virtual backgrounds you can learn how to do so with these TechRepublic tutorials for Zoom desktop virtual backgrounds and iOS virtual backgrounds. Android devices do not currently support virtual backgrounds in Zoom.

Note: Virtual backgrounds are supported on Windows, macOS, and iOS machines that meet the minimum requirements, though machines that don’t meet those requirements can still use virtual backgrounds with varying result quality. That doesn’t mean your custom image will look good, though. The default Zoom background options are limited, though: Depending on which Zoom app you’re using, you can only hide the room behind you with the Golden Gate Bridge, some blades of grass, or a shot of Earth from outer space ( Figure A).Ĭreating your own Zoom virtual background is, at first glance, simple: Click the plus sign next to the default image options and you can add any image you want. There’s no green screen required and all it takes is a few clicks or taps to hide a messy room from coworkers, friends, and family. Zoom’s virtual backgrounds are one of the features that make it a stand-out choice for professionals working and meeting remotely.

Image for zoom background