PS4 controller test: measure DualShock 4 stick drift online
The DualShock 4 has been around for years, so it is one of the controllers where drift turns up most. Plug it in over USB and measure it with numbers before deciding whether repairing it is worth it.
By Manuel Benitez · Updated 21 September 2026
Connect your DualShock 4 over USB to start the test
Over a USB cable. Gives access to the touchpad, the mute button and the controller's raw values. Chrome, Edge and Opera only.
Xbox or generic controller? Use the Xbox controller test.
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Left stick
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Right stick
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Precise drift measurement
Let go of both sticks and do not touch the controller until it finishes.
Circularity
Traces the outer edge of the stick and measures the radius reached in each of 72 sectors. A healthy stick draws a regular circle; a worn one shows notches and flat spots.
Press Check circularity above, then roll one stick along its outer edge for several full turns, then the other. Both are measured at the same time.
Controller information
This data is only available with direct reading over a USB cable. Go back to the front page and connect the controller by cable.
Stick calibration
With the centre magnified you can see the real resting offset, and below are the controller's raw values: the measured centre and the maximum travel reached on each axis.
Left stick
Right stick
Calibration is only available with direct reading over a USB cable. Connect the controller by cable to calibrate it.
Stick centre
Sets where rest position is. This is what fixes drift when the controller moves on its own.
Stick range
Learns how far each stick reaches. Fixes not hitting the edge, or a flattened circle.
Fine tuning
The twelve internal values, one by one. For when automatic calibration leaves something off.
Calibration wizard
Changes are temporary until you press “Save changes permanently”. If something goes wrong, “Restart the controller” discards anything you haven't saved.
🔒 Everything runs in your browser. Nothing is uploaded or stored on any server.
How the PS4 controller test works
- 1Plug in the DualShock 4
USB cable. Over Bluetooth the controller is detected but the raw values and the touchpad are not available.
- 2Press “Connect PlayStation controller”
Chrome, Edge or Opera will ask which device to use. Pick the Wireless Controller.
- 3Run the drift test
Let go of the sticks for 10 seconds. The tool records the resting position and compares it with the thresholds.
- 4Run the circularity test
Roll each stick around its edge. A worn stick shows notches, flat spots or a shorter reach.
What is measured on a DualShock 4
Like the DualSense, the DualShock 4 can be read directly over a USB cable, which gives access to:
- The unnormalised stick values, so the real centre offset is visible before the system corrects it.
- The touchpad, with the position of up to two fingers.
- The controller's internal information and battery level.
It has no mute button, so that part does not appear: it is not a fault in the tool, that controller simply does not have one. The test gives two figures that decide the state of the controller:
| Measure | Healthy | Watch it | Out of range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resting deviation | up to 2 % | 2 – 3 % | above 3 % |
| Circularity error | up to 5 % | 5 – 10 % | above 10 % |
The detail of the calculation and the reasoning behind each cut-off is in how we measure drift.
Typical DualShock 4 problems
- Drift from age. This is the main cause on this controller. Many have years of use and the stick sensor is a contact type, so it wears out with no way around it.
- A flat battery mistaken for a controller fault. The information tab shows the real level, which helps rule it out.
- Short travel. If the stick draws a regular circle but does not reach the edge, the problem is reach and not shape. The tool keeps the two figures apart for exactly that reason.
Calibrate the DualShock 4 without opening it
The DualShock 4 also supports writable calibration over a cable: recentre the sticks and relearn their range from the Calibration tab, then save it to the controller. If the controller is already old, weigh that against replacing the module with a Hall effect one, which does not wear the same way.
If the result is out of range
Before buying anything, check whether the controller is still under warranty: in the EU that is up to three years, claimed from the shop. If it is out of warranty, the options ordered by cost are in how to tell if your controller has drift.
Other controllers
Frequently asked questions
Does the PS4 controller test work over Bluetooth?
It detects the controller, but the precise test needs a USB cable: that is the only way to read the raw stick values and the touchpad.
Do I need a PS4 console?
No. A computer with Chrome, Edge or Opera and a micro-USB cable is enough. Nothing is installed.
My DualShock 4 drifts but the test says it is healthy. Why?
Check the battery and try over USB. Some drift only appears when the stick is warm or under load; run the circularity test too, which catches worn reach and flat spots.
Can I calibrate a PS4 controller online?
Yes. Over USB the Calibration tab recentres the sticks and relearns their range, and the result can be saved permanently to the controller.