Gyro Drift & Calibration Check
A gyro should read zero when the controller is lying still. If it doesn't, your aim slowly slides in one direction during play, even when you're not moving. That's gyro drift, and it's usually fixed by calibrating.
This check measures how much your gyro moves on its own over 10 seconds and tells you whether it needs calibrating, with steps for the most common setups.
Controller Gyro Drift & Calibration
Measure controller gyro drift over a 10-second flat baseline test with live graph and step-by-step fixes.
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How to use it
- Connect a controller with a gyro and use Chrome or Edge on a computer.
- Place the controller on a flat, solid surface. Don't hold it.
- Press Start check and don't touch the desk for 10 seconds.
- Read your result and follow the calibration steps shown for your setup.
- Run the check again to confirm the drift is gone.
What your results mean
Drift is shown in degrees per second on each axis.
Result What it means
Under 0.5°/s Good. No calibration needed.
0. 5â2°/s Slight drift. Calibrating will help.
Over 2°/s Strong drift. Calibrate. If it returns quickly, the sensor may be faulty.
How to calibrate
Where you play What to do
Steam Open the controller settings in Steam, find the gyro calibration option, and keep the controller still while it runs
DS4Windows Check the controller's settings in DS4Windows for a gyro calibration or recentre option
PS5 console There's no separate gyro calibration; restarting the controller often helps
Switch System Settings â Controllers and Sensors â Calibrate Motion Controls
In the game Many games with gyro aiming have their own calibrate or recentre button
Always calibrate with the controller lying flat and completely still.
Why gyros need calibrating
A gyro never reads exactly zero. Tiny errors add up over time, so the game thinks the controller is turning slowly even when it's still. Calibration measures that error while the controller lies flat and subtracts it from every reading.
Temperature affects the error, which is why a controller calibrated cold can drift once it warms up in your hands. If drift keeps returning, calibrate after a few minutes of play instead.
Signs your gyro needs calibrating
The most obvious sign is aim that slowly slides in one direction while you're holding the controller still. In menus or games that use motion to point, the cursor may creep across the screen. Some players notice it as having to keep correcting their aim in the same direction.
Gyro drift is easy to confuse with stick drift. If your aim moves when the controller is lying on a desk and you're not touching it, try this check and our Stick Drift Test. Whichever shows movement at rest is the cause.
Symptom Likely cause
Aim slides while holding the controller still Gyro drift
Aim moves when the controller is on the desk Stick drift or gyro drift; test both
Aim jitters but doesn't slide Gyro sensitivity too high or no gyro deadzone
Motion controls don't respond at all Gyro disabled in the game, or not supported
How the check works
With the controller lying flat, the gyro should report no rotation at all. The check records the readings on all three axes for 10 seconds and works out the average rotation the gyro thinks is happening.
That average is your drift. Very small values are normal for every gyro and are usually handled automatically by games. Larger values build up quickly during play and pull your aim off target, which is when calibration is worth doing.
Getting an accurate result
Put the controller on a solid table, not a sofa, bed or your lap, where tiny movements are unavoidable. Don't type or bump the table during the 10 seconds. Leave the controller still for a few seconds before pressing Start so any movement from picking it up has settled.
For the most useful result, test after you've been playing for a while. Gyro drift changes with temperature, so a warm controller gives a more realistic reading than one that has been sitting in a cool room.
If drift keeps coming back
Gyros drift more as they warm up, so a controller calibrated cold may drift again after half an hour of play. Calibrate again once it's warm, with the controller flat and still.
If drift returns within minutes every time, or one axis drifts far more than the others, the sensor may be damaged, often after a drop. In that case a repair or replacement controller is the reliable fix. Check the warranty first if the controller is fairly new.
Gyro calibration on different platforms
Where you calibrate depends on how you play. On a Switch, the console has a motion control calibration option in its controller settings. On PC, Steam Input has a gyro calibration option for each controller. Some games have their own calibration too.
Calibrate in the place that matches how you play. If you use Steam Input, calibrate there; if you play on a Switch, use the console's option.
Platform Where to calibrate
Switch Console controller settings
PC with Steam Steam Input controller settings
Steam Deck Steam's controller settings
Individual games Game's controls or accessibility menu
Why a flat surface matters
Calibration measures the gyro's error while the controller is perfectly still. If it moves even slightly during calibration, that movement is treated as error, and the calibration will be wrong.
Put the controller on a flat, stable surface away from vibration, such as a speaker or a washing machine. Don't touch it until calibration finishes.
Temperature and warm-up
Gyros are sensitive to temperature. A controller that's been sitting in a cold room reads slightly differently once it warms in your hands. That's why calibration done straight away can drift after a few minutes of play.
For the best result, play for a few minutes first, then calibrate. The controller will be at its normal operating temperature.
Reading the drift graph
The graph shows the gyro's reading while the controller is still. A flat line close to zero is ideal. A line that slowly rises or falls means drift on that axis. A line that jumps around means noise, which is often caused by vibration or a loose sensor.
Compare the three axes. Usually one drifts more than the others, which tells you which direction your aim will drift in games.
Gyro drift versus stick drift
Gyro drift and stick drift both make your aim move on its own, but they have different causes. Stick drift comes from the analog stick, while gyro drift comes from the motion sensor. Testing both separately tells you which is the problem.
If your aim drifts with the gyro turned off, it's the stick. Use our Deadzone Calculator or stick calibration tools instead.
When drift points to a hardware fault
A small amount of drift after calibration is normal. If drift is large, appears immediately after calibrating, or the gyro stops responding, the sensor may be faulty. This is more likely after a drop.
If the controller is under warranty, contact the maker. Save your test results to show the problem.
Keeping your gyro accurate
A few habits help the gyro stay accurate. Let the controller reach room temperature before playing, avoid dropping it, and keep its firmware up to date. Recalibrate if you notice your aim slowly sliding when you hold the controller still.
Store the controller somewhere it won't get very hot or cold, such as away from windows and radiators. Big temperature changes make drift more noticeable.
Gyro on handheld PCs
Handheld PCs like the Steam Deck have a gyro built into the device itself. The same principles apply: calibrate on a flat surface, let it warm up first, and recalibrate if drift appears. Steam's settings include a calibration option for the built-in gyro.
Common problems
Temperature changes affect gyros. Let the controller warm up for a few minutes of play, then calibrate again.
Your browser may not be able to read this controller's gyro. Use Chrome or Edge on a computer.
Calibrate twice. If it persists, the sensor may be damaged.
Frequently asked questions
What causes gyro drift?
Small sensor errors that build up over time, made worse by temperature changes. All gyros drift a little; calibration removes most of it.
Do I need to calibrate every time I play?
Usually not. Calibrate when you notice your aim sliding.
Can gyro drift be fixed permanently?
Calibration fixes most of it. A faulty sensor needs a repair or a new controller.
Can I calibrate the gyro in this browser page?
This page measures the drift and tells you how to calibrate in Steam, on Switch or in your game. Calibration itself is done there.
Does every controller gyro drift?
Every gyro has a tiny amount of drift. Calibration and the game's own correction remove most of it.
Will a firmware update help?
Sometimes. It's worth updating the controller if drift appears suddenly.
Is gyro drift covered by warranty?
A faulty sensor usually is, while the controller is under warranty. Check the manufacturer's terms.
Do I need to calibrate before using the gyro aim trainer?
It helps. A calibrated gyro gives more accurate trainer scores.
How long should calibration take?
Usually just a few seconds of keeping the controller still.
Does a warm controller calibrate better?
Often, yes. Play for a few minutes before calibrating.