WebGL

WebGL (short for Web Graphics Library) is a <a href="/facts/JavaScript/XhhIIEsl">JavaScript</a> <a href="/facts/Application_programming_interface/GMlN4vUr">API</a> for rendering interactive 2D and 3D graphics within any compatible <a href="/facts/Web_browser/2pfyymLs">web browser</a> without the use of <a href="/facts/Plug-in_(computing)/351Du3Wu">plug-ins</a>. WebGL is fully integrated with other <a href="/facts/Web_API/oVloUoIe">web standards</a>, allowing <a href="/facts/Graphics_processing_unit/PTK1RQVp">GPU</a>-accelerated usage of physics, image processing, and effects in the <a href="/facts/HTML/sSc3fT78">HTML</a> <a href="/facts/Canvas_element/E6IPUWf1">canvas</a>. WebGL elements can be mixed with other HTML elements and composited with other parts of the page or page background.
WebGL programs consist of control code written in JavaScript, and <a href="/facts/Shader/qfhkKFwA">shader</a> code written in <a href="/facts/OpenGL_Shading_Language/5yQ3WqTA">OpenGL ES Shading Language</a> (GLSL ES, sometimes referred to as ESSL), a language similar to <a href="/facts/C_(programming_language)/Ky2No763">C</a> or <a href="/facts/C%252B%252B/Et0F2qn9">C++</a>. WebGL code is executed on a computer's GPU.
WebGL is designed and maintained by the <a href="/facts/Non-profit_organization/AmXu2c85">non-profit</a> <a href="/facts/Khronos_Group/QIegX0zJ">Khronos Group</a>. On February 9, 2022, Khronos Group announced WebGL 2.0 support from all major browsers.
From 2024, a new graphics API, <a href="/facts/WebGPU/NM1ec2y9">WebGPU</a>, is being developed to supersede WebGL. WebGPU provides extended capabilities, a more modern interface, and direct GPU access, which is useful for demanding graphics as well as AI applications.

WebGL open-in-new

WebGL