How the drift test works
A stick at rest should report a position very close to the center (0, 0). Stick drift means the stick reports movement even though nobody is touching it. The test records the position of both sticks about 60 times per second for 10 seconds and then calculates:
- Maximum deviation: the furthest the stick moved from the center, as a percentage of its full range. This is the number that decides whether games will notice the drift.
- Average deviation: how far off-center the stick sat on average. A high average with a low maximum means a stick that rests off-center but steadily.
- Average position: the direction of the drift, as X and Y values.
- Suggested deadzone: the maximum deviation plus a small safety margin, rounded up. If you set this deadzone in a game, the drift should no longer move your character or camera.
Step by step
- Connect the controller and press a button so it is detected.
- Put the controller on a flat table. Don't hold it, because even a light grip can nudge the sticks.
- Press Start drift test. Recording starts after a three-second countdown.
- Wait 10 seconds without touching anything. The dots on the zoomed plots show every position recorded.
Repeat the test after flicking each stick and letting it snap back. A stick that rests at the center when it starts but stays off-center after it springs back has a worn centering mechanism, which is another form of drift.
How to read your result
| Max. deviation | Rating | What it means in practice |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2% | No drift | Normal sensor noise. Default in-game deadzones hide it completely. |
| 2–5% | Minimal | Usually not noticeable in games. Worth re-testing over time. |
| 5–10% | Noticeable | May cause slow camera movement or creeping in menus. A larger deadzone will help. |
| above 10% | Severe | Clearly visible movement. A deadzone this large makes aiming feel sluggish. Cleaning, repair or a replacement module is usually needed. |
These bands are our own practical guide values, used so you can compare results. Controller makers don't publish official drift limits, and games apply different deadzones by default. What you feel in a game depends on that game's deadzone.
The circularity test
Press Start circularity test and slowly roll each stick around its outer edge three or four times. The tool records the furthest point in 72 directions and draws the shape your stick traced in yellow. The average circularity error is how far that shape is, on average, from a perfect circle.
- Low error (about 0–10%): the stick reaches a full value in every direction. Diagonal movement feels as fast as straight movement.
- High error: the outer range is squarish or uneven. The stick may overshoot at the diagonals or fall short in some directions. Many controllers report slightly squarish values on purpose, so a moderate error is common and not a defect on its own.
Compare both sticks on the same controller. If one is much less round than the other, or has a dent in one direction, that stick has a problem.
Why sticks drift
Most controllers use potentiometers to read stick position: small resistive tracks with a sliding contact. Over time the track wears and collects dust, and the centering springs weaken. The result is a stick that no longer reports a clean zero. Sticks that use Hall effect or TMR sensors measure a magnetic field instead and have no sliding contacts, so they are far less prone to wear-related drift. Read more in Hall effect vs. potentiometer sticks, and see how to fix stick drift for practical solutions.
Frequently asked questions
The test shows drift but games feel fine.
That's normal for small values. Games apply their own deadzone, which hides small deviations. The test shows what the controller really sends.
Can I measure drift on a joystick or wheel?
Yes, but the tool assumes two sticks on axes 0/1 and 2/3. Use “Axis mapping” to pick other axes, or use the joystick tester to watch a flight stick at rest.
Does the zoom change the measurement?
No. Zoom only enlarges the area around the center so small movements are visible. All values are calculated from the raw data.
