Gamepad tester — online controller debugger

What is a gamepad tester?

A gamepad tester is a browser-based debugger that reads the HTML5 Gamepad API and shows the live state of your controllers — buttons, analog sticks, triggers, timestamps, and vibration support. Unlike visual controller illustrations, this gamepad tester displays raw axis and button values so you can spot stick drift, mapping issues, unresponsive inputs, and rumble motor failures. Connect up to four gamepads at once via USB or Bluetooth, press any button to activate the API, and inspect every input in real time. Works with PS4, PS5 DualSense, Xbox, Switch Pro, and most third-party gamepads on Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.

Gamepad debugger features

A technical gamepad tester built around the Gamepad API — raw data, multi-controller slots, stick circularity, and vibration testing.

1. Up to 4 gamepads at once: Four slots show every connected controller. Switch between gamepads to inspect each device independently — useful when comparing controllers or testing multiplayer setups.
2. Raw axis and button readouts: See exact axis values (five decimal places) and per-button analog values (B 0, B 1, …) updated every frame. Spot drift, dead zones, and trigger pressure without guesswork.
3. Stick circularity test: Record stick deflection and check whether coordinates stay within the unit circle at full range. Exceeding radius 1.0 can indicate mapping quirks or hardware problems.
4. Vibration / rumble test: Trigger weak and strong dual-rumble effects when your controller supports the Vibration API. Confirm rumble motors work before gaming or selling a used controller.
5. Timestamp and mapping info: Each panel shows the Gamepad API timestamp, standard mapping label, and button/axis counts — the same fields developers use when debugging controller input.
6. No install required: Runs entirely in the browser. Connect a controller, press a button to wake the Gamepad API, and start debugging. No drivers, accounts, or downloads.

How to use the gamepad tester

Step-by-step guide to debug a controller with this online gamepad tester.

1. Connect your gamepad: Plug in via USB or pair over Bluetooth. Up to four controllers can appear in the slots at the top of the tester.
2. Press any button: Browsers block gamepad reads until you press a button on the controller. Once activated, the slot shows the controller name instead of "None detected".
3. Inspect axes and buttons: Move sticks and press buttons. Active values highlight in blue. Check whether axes return to zero at rest (drift) and whether every button registers.
4. Run circularity and vibration tests: Click "Test circularity", move each stick through its full range, then stop. Use Weak/Strong vibration buttons if your controller supports rumble.

Gamepad troubleshooting tips

Common fixes when a gamepad is not detected or inputs look wrong.

1. Gamepad not showing up?: Confirm USB or Bluetooth connection, press face buttons to wake the device, close other apps using the controller, and try Chrome or Edge for the best Gamepad API support.
2. Axis values look wrong: Not every controller reports the same axis order. PS, Xbox, and Switch maps differ. Compare against the standard mapping docs if values seem swapped or inverted.
3. Stick drift detection: If axis values move without touching the stick, you likely have drift. The circularity chart also shows whether deflection exceeds the unit circle.
4. Vibration not working: Safari does not support gamepad vibration. Chrome and Edge work best. Ensure OS-level vibration is enabled and firmware is up to date.
5. Multiple controllers: Click slot tabs 1–4 to switch between connected gamepads. Disconnect unused controllers if a slot shows stale data.

Common controllers

These are typical Gamepad API device names reported by browsers. Your controller may appear with a similar STANDARD GAMEPAD label.

Sources & References

Authoritative references on the Gamepad API's raw device readouts and the specification that defines the low-level interface.

• Gamepad API — raw button, axis, and timestamp data

  “The Gamepad API is a way for developers to access and respond to signals from gamepads and other game controllers in a simple, consistent way. It contains three interfaces, two events and one specialist function, to respond to gamepads being connected and disconnected, and to access other information about the gamepads themselves, and what buttons and other controls are currently being pressed.”

  Every raw value in this debugger—button states, axis floats, timestamps, mapping, and vibration support—comes from the Gamepad API objects MDN describes for connected controllers. developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Gamepad_API

• W3C Gamepad — the low-level device interface

  “The Gamepad specification defines a low-level interface that represents gamepad devices.”

  This tester exposes the spec's low-level fields instead of a simplified illustration. According to the W3C Gamepad specification, that interface is exactly what represents gamepad devices to web pages. w3.org/TR/gamepad/

Frequently Asked Questions

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