Stick circularity test.
Does each stick reach the full circle?
Works with PS5, PS4, Xbox, Switch Pro, 8BitDo and most PC gamepads.
The dashed circle is full stick travel. Going beyond it on the diagonals is normal on many controllers; falling short in one direction is what this test looks for. Checking for drift instead? Run the stick drift test.
How to run the circularity test
- Connect the controller and press any button.
- Push the left stick to its edge and roll it slowly around the full circle two or three times.
- Do the same with the right stick. Once every direction is covered, the result appears below the disc.
Test the resting position as well with the stick drift test, or check every button in the gamepad tester.
Circularity test FAQ
What does the circularity test measure?
How far each stick reaches in 36 directions when pushed to its edge. A healthy stick reaches full travel all the way round; a worn or blocked stick falls short in some directions, which games notice as slower movement or aim that can’t reach full speed diagonally.
What is a good result?
We call it full range when every direction reaches at least 95% of full travel, slightly reduced between 85% and 95%, and reduced below that. These thresholds are our own guide, not a manufacturer standard. The average error shows how far the outline is from a perfect circle.
Why does my stick go beyond the circle on the diagonals?
Many controllers report slightly more than full travel on the diagonals because of how the stick gate and the two sensors combine. That is normal and not a fault – this test looks for directions that fall short.
Is this the same as stick drift?
No. Drift is about where the stick rests when you let go; range is about how far it reaches when you push it. A controller can have one problem without the other, so it is worth running both tests.