Gamepad Tester — Free Online Joystick & Analog Tester
Full Axis Mapping — No Download

Joystick Test — Free Online Analog Stick Tester

Joystick & Analog Tester: Full Axis Mapping — Test Both Sticks Simultaneously with Live XY Readout, Deadzone Detection & Circularity Testing

Test both analog joysticks on any gaming controller directly in your browser. Our joystick tester maps live X and Y axis values for both sticks simultaneously, detects deadzones, traces circularity accuracy, flags return-to-centre error, and shows raw versus deadzone-filtered readings in real time. Works with PS5, PS4, PS3, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and all standard gamepads. No downloads, no accounts, fully private.

Live XY Mapping Deadzone Detection Circularity Test PS5 DualSense PS4 DualShock 4 Xbox Series X/S Nintendo Switch
Live Joystick Preview
Simulating
Left Stick
Right Stick
L Axis X
0.000
L Axis Y
0.000
R Axis X
0.000
R Axis Y
0.000
Live Joystick & Analog Test Tool
Joystick & Analog Tester — Full Axis Mapping
Auto Simulation
Left Stick — Axis 0 / 1
X Axis 0.000
Y Axis 0.000
Right Stick — Axis 2 / 3
X Axis 0.000
Y Axis 0.000
Diagnostics
Poll Rate
—
L Offset
—
R Offset
—
Max Range
—
Deadzone Threshold
Inner Deadzone 0.08
Display Options
Test Circularity
Show Deadzone Ring
Apply Deadzone Filter
Connect a controller → press any button → live mode activates automatically
AxisStickDirectionRaw ValueDZ FilteredVisualStatus
Axis 0 Left X (Horizontal) 0.000 0.000
Normal
Axis 1 Left Y (Vertical) 0.000 0.000
Normal
Axis 2 Right X (Horizontal) 0.000 0.000
Normal
Axis 3 Right Y (Vertical) 0.000 0.000
Normal
What Is a Joystick & Analog Test

What Does the Joystick Analog Tester Measure

A joystick test goes beyond basic drift detection — it measures the complete performance profile of your analog sticks across their full operating range.

Live XY Axis Mapping

Both joysticks report X and Y axis values simultaneously as floating-point numbers from −1.0 to +1.0. The tester plots these values live on a circular grid pad and displays them numerically to 3 decimal places, so you can see exactly where your stick sits at any given moment.

Deadzone Analysis

The deadzone threshold slider adjusts a visual ring on the pad that shows which area around the stick's centre is currently being filtered. Compare raw axis values versus deadzone-filtered values in the axis table to understand how much movement your games are actually receiving.

Circularity & Range Testing

Enable Test Circularity to draw a trace path as you rotate each stick through its full range. A healthy stick traces a smooth, evenly-sized circle centred at zero. Flat spots indicate zones of reduced precision; an off-centre circle reveals directional bias or physical gate wear.

Understanding Axis Values

Understanding Joystick Axis Values

The Gamepad API exposes each analog stick as two floating-point values — one for horizontal (X) and one for vertical (Y) movement — ranging from −1.0 to +1.0.

Axis → Controller Input → Value Range → What It Represents → Stick
Axis 0
−1.0 → +1.0
Left stick horizontal. Negative values = pushed left, positive = pushed right. At rest a healthy stick sits at 0.000.
Left Stick X
Axis 1
−1.0 → +1.0
Left stick vertical. Negative values = pushed up, positive = pushed down. Note: Y-axis is inverted relative to screen coordinates.
Left Stick Y
Axis 2
−1.0 → +1.0
Right stick horizontal. Same convention as Axis 0. Used for camera control in most games. Flat spots in this axis affect aiming precision.
Right Stick X
Axis 3
−1.0 → +1.0
Right stick vertical. Same inverted convention as Axis 1. Critical for vertical aim in FPS games — any drift here causes camera creep.
Right Stick Y
How to Test Your Analog Sticks

How to Use the Joystick Tester

A complete analog stick test takes about three minutes. Work through these steps for a thorough assessment of both sticks.

1

Connect & Activate

Connect your controller via USB or Bluetooth. Open Gamepad Tester in Chrome or Edge and press any button. The axis values for both sticks will update immediately. You don't need to move the sticks yet.

USB or BluetoothPress any buttonChrome / Edge
2

Test Resting State

Place the controller on a flat surface and do not touch the sticks for 15 seconds. Watch the X and Y values in the axis table. Healthy sticks sit within ±0.020 at rest. Any consistent value above ±0.050 indicates drift. Above ±0.100 and most games will be affected.

Don't touch sticks±0.020 = normal>±0.050 = drift
3

Test Full Range

Push each stick slowly in each cardinal direction (up, down, left, right) to its physical limit. Watch the axis value approach ±1.000. If values plateau early or jump unevenly, the stick's output range is reduced — common with worn potentiometers. Both sticks should reach ≥0.950.

Push to edgeShould reach ≥0.950Watch for plateaus
4

Run Circularity Test

Enable Test Circularity, then slowly rotate each stick in a complete circle around its gate. The trace path will draw the stick's output range visually. A good stick produces a smooth near-perfect circle centred at zero. Flat spots mean reduced precision in that direction. An off-centre circle reveals drift bias.

Enable circularitySlow full rotationCheck shape and centre
5

Test Return to Centre

Push each stick to its maximum position in one direction, then release it quickly. Watch where the axis value settles after release. A healthy stick snaps cleanly back to within ±0.020 of zero. A stick that settles off-centre has return-to-centre error, which causes persistent directional bias even after you release the stick.

Push to max, releaseShould return to ±0.020Off-centre = bias
Why Choose Gamepad Tester

Why Choose Gamepad Tester for Joystick Testing

Both Sticks Simultaneously

Left and right stick axes all update in the same 60fps polling loop. You can test both joysticks at the same time — no switching, no tabs, no restrictions.

3-Decimal Precision

Axis values display to three decimal places (e.g. 0.043) — the same precision your games receive. This level of granularity is essential for detecting early drift, measuring deadzone boundaries, and comparing sticks accurately.

Live Circularity Trace

The canvas-based trace layer draws your stick path in real time as you rotate. Unlike static screenshots, you see the full motion arc as it forms — including jitter, flat spots, and return-to-centre behaviour.

Adjustable Deadzone Filter

The deadzone slider lets you apply a software filter in real time and compare raw versus filtered values in the axis table. This reveals exactly how much of your drift a given deadzone setting would suppress in-game.

100% Private & Local

All joystick data is read using the browser's Gamepad API and processed entirely on your device. No axis values, drift readings, or controller data are ever transmitted to a server.

Axis Status Table

The full axis table shows raw value, deadzone-filtered value, a visual bar, and a colour-coded status chip for all four axes simultaneously — giving you a complete picture of both sticks in a single view.

Frequently Asked Questions

Joystick & Analog Tester FAQs

How do I test analog joysticks online for free?
Connect your controller via USB or Bluetooth, open Gamepad Tester in Chrome or Edge, then press any button on the controller to activate the Gamepad API. The joystick tester activates immediately — you'll see both stick pads update in real time as you move the joysticks. The axis table at the bottom shows raw values for all four axes (Axis 0–3) simultaneously. No downloads, no registration, completely free.
What should a healthy joystick read at rest?
A healthy analog stick at rest should show X and Y axis values within ±0.020 of zero. Some natural sensor noise at ±0.010 to ±0.020 is completely normal and will be masked by any game's built-in deadzone. Values consistently sitting above ±0.050 while you're not touching the stick indicate early drift. Above ±0.100 and most games will show visible unintended movement — camera creep, character drift, or aim pull.
What does the circularity test show?
The circularity test draws a trace path of your stick's output as you rotate it around its gate. A healthy stick produces a smooth, evenly-sized circle centred at zero — indicating consistent sensitivity across all directions. Flat spots on the circle show zones where the sensor produces less output per unit of physical movement, reducing precision in that direction. An off-centre circle (shifted up, down, left, or right) confirms resting-state drift bias. This test is particularly useful for diagnosing problems in FPS aiming that axis numbers alone don't fully reveal.
What is the difference between inner and outer deadzone?
The inner deadzone is the neutral zone immediately around the stick's centre — the distance the stick must move before any input is registered. Games use this to prevent unintended movement from natural sensor noise and minor drift. The outer deadzone is the area near the edge of the stick's travel where the output plateaus at its maximum value — some worn sticks reach their maximum output before hitting the physical gate. Our tester's deadzone slider adjusts the inner deadzone threshold, and you can see the effect on filtered values in the axis table in real time.
Why does my PS5 DualSense joystick not reach ±1.0 at full extension?
Most PS5 DualSense controllers reach axis values between ±0.940 and ±0.990 at full physical travel — this is normal. The maximum output depends on the gate geometry, sensor calibration, and the browser's Gamepad API normalisation. Values consistently below ±0.850 may indicate a worn potentiometer with reduced output range, which can cause sluggish or inconsistent maximum input in precision-sensitive games. If you notice asymmetric maximums (e.g. the stick reaches 0.950 going right but only 0.880 going left), the sensor is wearing unevenly.
Does the joystick tester work with Xbox controllers?
Yes. Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Xbox 360 controllers are fully supported via USB or Bluetooth. Xbox controllers use the XInput interface on Windows, which the browser Gamepad API reads natively. All four analog axes (left stick X/Y and right stick X/Y) are exposed with full precision. The axis table, deadzone slider, and circularity test all work identically for Xbox controllers as they do for PlayStation gamepads.
What is return-to-centre error and why does it matter?
Return-to-centre error is measured by pushing your stick to its maximum position and then releasing it quickly. A healthy stick should snap back to within ±0.020 of zero every time. If the stick consistently settles at a position offset from zero (e.g. always settling at X: +0.045), this is return-to-centre error. In practice, this means your character, camera, or aim will drift in the bias direction even when you release the stick — even if in-game deadzones mask it most of the time. Significant return-to-centre error typically indicates physical wear in the spring mechanism or gate.
Can I test both joysticks at the same time?
Yes — both the left and right analog sticks update simultaneously in the same polling loop. Move both sticks at once and you'll see both pad visualisers, all four axis bars, and the complete axis table update in real time. This is particularly useful for testing whether both sticks have symmetric sensitivity and drift characteristics, and for identifying whether a problem is isolated to one stick or affecting both.

Gamepad Tester — free browser-based joystick and analog stick testing for PS5, PS4, PS3, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and all standard gamepads. Full axis mapping with deadzone analysis, circularity testing, and return-to-centre measurement. All data processed locally. Compatible with Chrome 58+, Edge 79+, Firefox 55+, Safari 16.4+.