Stick drift test
Find out in 11 seconds whether your controller's sticks drift, by how much, and which dead zone hides it.
Two steps, 11 seconds: let go of both sticks, then roll them slowly around the edge.
Press any button on your controller first.
Live stick readings
Connect your controller, then press any button.
Browsers only show a controller after you press a button on it.
- Plug the controller in with a USB data cable (some cables only charge).
- Or put it in pairing mode and pair it in your computer or phone's Bluetooth settings.
Nothing is installed and nothing leaves your device.
Readings appear here as soon as your controller connects.
Buttons light up here when you press them.
How the test works
For three seconds you leave the sticks alone. We record every reading and report two numbers: where the stick rests on average (rests off centre) and the furthest it wandered (furthest at rest). The suggested dead zone is that furthest reading plus one point, so it hides the drift without throwing away more precision than it needs.
For eight seconds you roll each stick around its edge. We keep the furthest reading in each of 36 directions and compare them with a perfect circle. That is the circularity error.
The grades are rules of thumb: none under 3%, mild from 3%, noticeable from 8%, severe from 15%. Most games ship with a dead zone between 5% and 10%.
What to do about drift
- Raise the dead zone in your game's controller settings to the suggested value.
- Clean around the stick and update the controller: PS5 and PS4 guide, Xbox guide.
- If the stick still wanders past 15%, look at repair or a replacement stick.
Questions
What is stick drift?
Drift is when a stick reports movement while nobody touches it, so your character or camera creeps on its own. It usually comes from wear or dirt inside the stick's sensors.
How much drift is too much?
Under 3% is normal. From 3% to 8% a game's dead zone usually hides it. Past 8% you may notice it in play, and past 15% the stick generally needs cleaning, recalibrating or replacing.
What is a dead zone?
A dead zone is a small area around the centre that the game ignores. Set it just above your stick's resting reading and the drift disappears, at the cost of a little precision.
What does circularity error mean?
When you roll a stick around its edge it should trace a circle. Circularity error is how far, on average, the edge falls from a perfect circle. Under 5% is good; much higher can make some directions slower in games.
Can drift come and go?
Yes. Dirt can make a stick drift one day and not the next, and worn sensors often drift more when warm. Run the test a few times before deciding.