Free Analogue Stick Test
Controller Deadzone Test
Test controller deadzones online with live analogue-stick X and Y values, radial distance from centre and an adjustable deadzone threshold. The tool runs in a compatible browser with no separate download.
Test Your Controller Deadzone Online
Connect a compatible gamepad, leave the sticks untouched to inspect their centre position, then move each analogue stick while comparing the browser-reported values with your selected threshold.
- X axis
- Horizontal stick position reported by the browser.
- Y axis
- Vertical stick position reported by the browser.
- Radial distance
- Distance from centre calculated from X and Y.
- Deadzone threshold
- An adjustable comparison zone from 0 to 30 percent.
- Centre stability sample
- A five-second untouched-stick sample that records the largest radial distance.
How to Test Controller Deadzone
- Connect your controller by USB or a supported wireless connection.
- Press a button so the browser can expose the controller.
- Leave both analogue sticks untouched and check their centre position.
- Adjust the comparison threshold.
- Move each stick slowly and observe when it crosses the threshold.
- Run the optional five-second centre stability sample.
What a Controller Deadzone Means
A controller deadzone is an area around an analogue stick's centre where small movements can be ignored by a game or application. Larger deadzones can hide small unwanted movement but require more physical stick travel before input begins.
Smaller deadzones can feel more responsive, but they can also expose tiny sensor offsets.
What the Live Deadzone Readings Show
X Axis
Horizontal stick position.
Y Axis
Vertical stick position.
Radial Distance
Distance from centre calculated from X and Y.
Threshold Ring
Your selected comparison percentage.
Centre Peak
Largest untouched-stick reading during the five-second sample.
Session Peak
Largest radial distance observed since reset.
Controller Deadzone Calculation
Radial distance is calculated as the square root of X squared plus Y squared and compared with your selected threshold.
| Reading | Calculation or source | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| X | Browser horizontal axis | Horizontal stick position. |
| Y | Browser vertical axis | Vertical stick position. |
| Radial distance | √(X² + Y²) | Distance from centre. |
| Inside deadzone | Distance ≤ threshold | Inside your comparison zone. |
| Outside deadzone | Distance > threshold | Outside your comparison zone. |
Controller Deadzone vs Stick Drift
A deadzone is a software threshold used to ignore small stick values. Stick drift is unwanted input when the user is not intentionally moving the stick. Increasing a deadzone may mask some drift but does not repair the controller.
Different Games Use Different Deadzones
There is no universal deadzone percentage that is correct for every controller or game. Games can use different deadzone models, sensitivity curves and calibration settings.
What Should an Analogue Stick Look Like at Centre?
When untouched, a stick should usually remain close to centre and its radial-distance value should stay relatively small and stable. A constant 0.000 reading is not required.
Controller Deadzone Test Troubleshooting
- Press a controller button. Some browsers hide a gamepad until interaction.
- Check the mapping. Standard mappings normally use axes 0–1 and 2–3.
- Try USB. A wired test can help separate wireless behaviour.
- Compare another browser. Browser and OS support can differ.
Controller Input Privacy
The live axis values used by this tester are processed temporarily in your browser. The tool does not upload a recording of your controller inputs.
Controller Deadzone Test Frequently Asked Questions
What is a controller deadzone?
A controller deadzone is an area around an analogue stick's centre where small movements can be ignored by a game or application.
What does this controller deadzone test measure?
It shows the raw stick position exposed by the browser, radial distance from centre and whether that movement falls inside or outside the threshold you choose.
How do I test my controller deadzone?
Connect the controller, press a button so the browser can expose it, leave the sticks untouched, then move each stick slowly away from centre while watching the live values and threshold ring.
What is a normal controller deadzone?
There is no universal correct value. Games, controllers and user preferences differ. Smaller deadzones can feel more responsive, while larger deadzones can mask small unwanted stick movement.
Is a lower deadzone always better?
No. A very small deadzone may reveal tiny centre movement or hardware noise that a larger in-game deadzone would ignore.
Can this test detect stick drift?
It can show movement near the centre while the stick is untouched. For a dedicated drift check, use the Stick Drift Test.
What does radial distance mean?
Radial distance combines the horizontal and vertical stick values into one distance-from-centre measurement using the square root of X squared plus Y squared.
Why does my stick not return to exactly 0.000?
Analogue sticks can report small offsets because of normal sensor variation, wear, calibration, controller firmware or browser and driver behaviour.
What deadzone threshold should I try first?
A moderate threshold such as 10 to 15 percent is a useful starting point for observing the test, but the best in-game value depends on your controller and the game.
Can I test both sticks at the same time?
Yes. The page displays the left and right analogue sticks independently with live X, Y and radial-distance values.
Does this work with Xbox controllers?
Many Xbox controllers work when the browser exposes them through the Gamepad API. You can also use the dedicated Xbox Controller Test for the full button layout.
Does this work with PlayStation controllers?
It can work with compatible PlayStation controllers when the browser and operating system expose their stick axes through the Gamepad API. Mapping can vary.
Does this work with third-party gamepads?
Potentially. Standard-mapped controllers are the easiest to interpret, while non-standard gamepads can use different axis indexes.
Why does the page say no controller detected?
Connect the gamepad, press a controller button and refresh the device list. Some browsers do not expose a controller until the user interacts with it.
Does the test change my controller settings?
No. The page reads browser-reported input only. It does not change firmware, calibration or the deadzone settings inside a game.
Are my controller inputs uploaded?
The live stick values used by this tester are processed temporarily in your browser and are not uploaded as controller-input recordings.
Can this test prove my controller is faulty?
No. It shows the values the browser receives during the session. It cannot inspect internal hardware or prove the cause of an abnormal reading.
What should I test after the deadzone test?
Use the Stick Drift Test for centre drift, the Gamepad Test for general controller inputs or the Xbox Controller Test for Xbox-specific button and stick checks.