Simply connect your gamepad to your computer via USB or Bluetooth. The tester automatically detects it and displays all button states and joystick positions in real time. Press buttons, move joysticks, or pull triggers to see live feedback. No additional software or drivers are needed—just a modern browser with Gamepad API support.

Most modern controllers are supported: Xbox (360, One, Series X/S), PlayStation (DualShock 4, DualSense/PS5), Nintendo Switch Pro, and many third-party and generic USB/Bluetooth gamepads. Controllers that follow the W3C Gamepad API standard mapping will show correct button labels. Even non-standard controllers work—buttons will be labeled by index number.

Try these steps:
1. Ensure the controller is properly connected (check USB cable or Bluetooth pairing).
2. Press any button on the controller—browsers often require a button press to activate gamepad detection.
3. Click anywhere on this page to ensure it has user focus.
4. For Chrome: Gamepad API requires a user gesture (click or keypress) on the page before controllers become visible.
5. Try reconnecting the controller while this page is open.
6. Check if the controller works in other applications or on other tester sites.

Full support: Google Chrome (v35+), Microsoft Edge (v12+), Mozilla Firefox (v29+), Opera (v22+).
Partial/Limited: Safari on macOS (v14.1+ has basic support), Safari on iOS (limited).
Not supported: Older browsers and some mobile browsers without Gamepad API implementation. We recommend using Chrome or Edge for the best experience, including vibration/haptic feedback testing.

The W3C Gamepad API defines a "standard" mapping where buttons and axes follow a consistent layout regardless of controller brand. Button 0 is always the bottom action button (A on Xbox, Cross on PS), axes 0-1 are the left stick, and axes 2-3 are the right stick. Most major controllers report as "standard." For non-standard controllers, buttons are labeled by index (Button 0, Button 1, etc.) and you can use this tester to identify which physical button corresponds to each index.

Yes! If your browser supports the GamepadHapticActuator API (Chrome 68+, Edge 79+), you can test vibration using the buttons in the Vibration Test section. Choose light, medium, or heavy rumble intensity. This sends haptic feedback to compatible controllers like Xbox One/Series and PlayStation DualSense. Firefox supports a different haptic API, and Safari does not currently support gamepad vibration.

The joystick position is reported with high precision as floating-point values between -1.0 and 1.0 for each axis. The visualizer updates at 60 frames per second (matching your display refresh rate), providing smooth, real-time feedback. You can see the exact X and Y coordinates displayed below each joystick. This is useful for diagnosing stick drift—if values don't return to near-zero when released, your controller may have wear.