---
title: AR Try-On
description: >-
  What augmented reality try-on is, how live camera tracking anchors 3D products
  to the body, and how it compares to generative AI try-on for apparel.
shortDefinition: >-
  A real-time experience that overlays 3D product models onto a live camera view
  of the shopper.
relatedTerms:
  - augmented-reality
  - virtual-fitting-room
  - pose-estimation
  - garment-transfer
heroImage: /glossary-images/ar-try-on-example.webp
keywords:
  - AR try-on
  - augmented reality try-on
  - virtual try-on
publishedAt: '2026-06-10'
updatedAt: '2026-06-10'
noindex: false
canonicalPath: /glossary/ar-try-on
---

## What is AR try-on?

**AR try-on (augmented reality try-on)** uses a device's camera to superimpose a 3D product model onto the shopper in real time. The product tracks the user's movements: turning the head shows glasses from a new angle; moving a foot rotates a sneaker.

It is the most established form of virtual try-on for **rigid products** whose shape does not deform with the body: eyewear, watches, rings, makeup, and footwear.

![Live AR try-on of sunglasses through a phone camera](/glossary-images/ar-try-on-example.webp)

## How it works

1. **Tracking**: the camera feed is analyzed frame by frame with face tracking or [pose estimation](/glossary/pose-estimation.md) to detect anchor landmarks (eyes, wrist, feet).
2. **3D model loading**: a pre-built 3D asset of the product (e.g. a `.glb` file) is fetched.
3. **Rendering**: the model is anchored to the landmarks and composited into the live video, with lighting and [occlusion](/glossary/occlusion.md) handling for realism.
4. **Interaction**: the shopper switches colors or models without leaving the camera view.

AR try-on can run in a native app or directly in the browser (often called *WebAR*), which removes the app-download step.

## AR try-on vs. generative AI try-on

![AR try-on live overlay compared with a generative AI try-on photo](/glossary-images/ar-vs-generative-try-on.webp)

| | AR try-on | Generative AI try-on |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Output | Live, interactive video overlay | Static generated image |
| Typical products | Rigid items: glasses, watches, shoes | Apparel: tops, dresses, knitwear |
| Per-product setup | 3D asset per SKU | None (uses existing product photos) |
| Fabric realism | Limited | High ([drape](/glossary/drape.md), wrinkles, lighting) |

The two approaches are complementary: AR suits fixed-shape products where live interaction matters; [garment transfer](/glossary/garment-transfer.md) suits clothing, where fabric must be re-rendered per body and pose.

<Faq>
  <FaqItem question="Why is apparel hard for AR try-on?">
    Fabric deforms with every body shape and movement. A rigid 3D garment overlay can't reproduce realistic drape in real time, which is why apparel try-on generally uses generative AI on a photo instead.
  </FaqItem>
</Faq>