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Controller Lab // Outer Travel Diagnostics

STICK CIRCULARITY & RANGE

Rotate an analog stick around its full outer edge. GearCheck Lab maps the furthest browser-reported reach in each direction so you can spot weak sectors, incomplete travel and an uneven outer profile.

LOCAL TESTStick readings and the captured profile stay in this browser session.
Live diagnostic

Directional reach profile

AWAITING CONTROLLER
Connect a controller and press any button.Then choose a stick and rotate it slowly around the full outer edge several times. Keep the stick against its physical gate where possible.
captured outer profilelive stick position

How to run a circularity and range test

  1. Set the controller on a stable connection and select the stick you want to test.
  2. Push the stick to its outer edge, then rotate slowly through a full circle two or three times.
  3. Watch ANGLE COVERAGE. Aim for at least 90% so nearly every direction has been sampled.
  4. Compare minimum and maximum reach. A sector that repeatedly falls much shorter than its neighbors can indicate restricted travel, calibration differences or wear.
  5. Reset and repeat before drawing a conclusion.

What “circularity” means here

This test does not assume every controller should report a mathematically perfect radius of exactly 1.000 in every direction. Browser, firmware and controller mapping can shape the reported axes differently.

The consistency estimate compares each captured direction with the stick's own average outer reach. That makes it more useful for finding uneven sectors than judging one universal ideal.

Understanding directional spread

Directional spread is the difference between the strongest and weakest covered outer directions divided by their average reach. Lower variation means the captured outer profile is more even.

GearCheck Lab uses broad guidance only: up to roughly 10% is shown as consistent, 10–20% as worth reviewing, and above 20% as strongly uneven. These are diagnostic bands, not manufacturer tolerances.

Why diagonal reach can exceed 100%

Gamepad axes are commonly exposed as separate X and Y values. If both approach their maximum at the same time, the radial calculation can exceed 1.0. Some controllers or software normalize this; others do not.

That is why the tool reports the observed profile instead of clipping every direction to a perfect unit circle.

Range test interpretation

The X/Y range records the lowest and highest values observed while you move the selected stick. A complete sweep should normally explore both negative and positive directions on both axes.

If one axis repeatedly stops well short in one direction, retest after recalibration and compare another connection or device before assuming physical damage.

Limitations

  • The browser sees processed Gamepad API values, not raw potentiometer or Hall-sensor voltage.
  • Controller firmware, operating-system drivers and mapping can alter axis shape.
  • The test does not measure physical gate geometry directly.
  • A fast or incomplete rotation can leave angle bins unsampled and exaggerate variation.

Controller circularity test FAQ

Is a square-looking profile automatically bad?

No. Some controller mappings naturally report stronger diagonal radius. Look for repeatable asymmetry or weak sectors rather than expecting every device to form the same shape.

Should I compare the left and right stick?

Yes. Testing both sticks under the same browser and connection can provide useful context, especially if only one stick feels restricted in a game.

Does this replace stick-drift testing?

No. Drift measures unwanted movement near the center. Circularity/range focuses on outer travel. Use both when diagnosing an analog stick comprehensively.