Stick drift test.
Check your controller in seconds.
Works with PS5, PS4, Xbox, Switch Pro, 8BitDo and most PC gamepads.
Test buttons and triggers
How to test for stick drift
How drift is graded
Each stick is graded by its largest distance from centre while resting, as a share of full travel. The thresholds are our own guide, not a manufacturer standard. Method
- No driftunder 3%Rests cleanly
- Minor drift3% – 8%Hidden by most games
- Moderate drift8% – 15%Likely noticeable
- Severe drift15%+Needs repair
Drift test by controller
Works with most controllers your browser recognises. Connection notes per model:
- PS5 DualSense
- DualSense Edge
- PS4 DualShock 4
- Xbox Wireless Controller
- Xbox Elite Series 2
- Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
- 8BitDo Controller
Check buttons and triggers in the gamepad tester, or whether each stick reaches its full range in the circularity test. Found drift? Here is how to fix stick drift.
Stick drift FAQ
What is stick drift?
Stick drift is when an analog stick reports movement even though nobody is touching it – your character walks on its own or the camera slowly turns. It is usually caused by wear or dirt inside the stick’s position sensor (a potentiometer in most controllers).
How does this drift test work?
Your browser reads the controller through the standard Gamepad API about 60 times per second. During the 5-second test the sticks must rest untouched; we record how far each one sits from the exact centre and report the peak and average offset.
Is a small offset normal?
Yes. Almost no stick rests at exactly 0.000. Games ignore a small area around the centre (the deadzone), so an offset of a few percent usually has no effect in play.
What deadzone should I set in my game?
After the test, use the deadzone shown under the result – it is the smallest value that hides the drift we measured, plus a small margin. Many games have an inner-deadzone slider in their controller settings; its default and range differ from game to game, so compare it with our suggestion. If we say the drift is too large to hide, a deadzone would swallow too much real stick movement and cleaning or repair is the better fix.
Can I test my controller directly on a PS5, Xbox or Switch?
No – console browsers can’t read controllers this way. Connect the controller to a PC, Mac or Android phone by cable or Bluetooth and open this page there. iPhone and iPad with Safari usually work with PlayStation and Xbox controllers too.
Why isn’t my controller detected?
Browsers only reveal a controller after you press a button on it. Also check that your USB cable carries data (not just power), try Chrome or Edge, and close other tabs or apps that use the controller.
Is any data uploaded?
No. The test runs entirely in your browser. If you create a result link, it only contains the measured numbers and the controller type – nothing that identifies you or your device.
Can stick drift be fixed?
Mild drift can often be improved by recalibrating the controller and cleaning around the stick base. Persistent or severe drift usually means the stick module is worn and needs replacing. Controllers with Hall effect or TMR sticks are far less prone to drift because the sensor has no rubbing contacts.
Controller not showing up? See how to get it detected. New to the topic? Read what stick drift is.
Feedback
Found a bug, or does your controller behave oddly? Tell us – it takes half a minute.