Controller Polling Rate Test
Connect a controller, press any button, then rotate a stick in fast circles for 10 seconds. The test counts how many times per second the browser receives new data from your controller.
Runs in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
Press Start, then rotate a stick in fast, continuous circles until the 10 second run ends. The controller only sends updates when something changes.
Runs in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
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What Is Controller Polling Rate?
A controller's polling rate is how often it sends its stick positions and button states to the computer, measured in hertz (Hz). Many standard controllers report at about 125 to 250 Hz over USB. PC-focused gaming controllers often offer 1000 Hz, and some go higher.
A higher rate means the computer gets fresher input and less delay between moving a stick and the game reacting. At 125 Hz, input can wait up to 8 ms to be reported. At 1000 Hz, at most 1 ms. It's the same idea as mouse polling rate.
How This Controller Test Works
Browsers expose controllers through the Gamepad API. Each controller has a timestamp that changes whenever new data arrives. During a 10 second run, this test reads that timestamp in a tight loop, many times per display frame, and counts how many distinct updates arrive each second while you move a stick.
Sticks only send new data when their position changes, so the reading drops if you stop moving. That's why you should rotate a stick in continuous, fast circles. The test skips pauses longer than 50 ms so a short hesitation doesn't drag your average down.
How to Test Your Controller Polling Rate
- Connect the controller by USB cable for the most reliable result.
- Press any button so the browser reveals the controller. Its name appears at the top of the tool.
- Press Start 10s Test, then rotate the left or right stick in fast, continuous circles.
- Read the average and peak when the run ends, and compare them with the table below.
- Try again over Bluetooth or a dongle to see how the connection changes the rate.
Typical Controller Polling Rates
| Controller / Connection | Typical Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox controllers, USB | ~125–250 Hz | Varies with model and firmware |
| Xbox controllers, Bluetooth | Lower and less steady | Wireless adapter usually beats Bluetooth |
| DualShock 4 / DualSense, USB | ~250 Hz and up | Can often be raised with third-party tools on PC |
| PlayStation, Bluetooth | Often lower than USB | Depends on the driver and system |
| PC gaming controllers | 500–1000+ Hz | Often adjustable in the maker's app |
These are rough guides. Exact rates depend on the controller revision, firmware, connection and operating system.
Why Your Result May Read Low
A browser measurement shows how often your controller's data reaches the browser, which isn't always the same as how often the controller sends it:
- Browser sampling: some browsers read controllers on a fixed internal schedule, which can cap readings below 1000 Hz.
- Bluetooth: wireless connections often run slower and less evenly than USB.
- Stopping the stick: no movement means no new data. Keep rotating.
- Background load: a busy computer can delay how quickly new data is picked up.
About refresh rate: games usually read controller input once per frame, so even a 1000 Hz controller only gives a 60 fps game 60 updates per second. The Display tile shows your refresh rate for comparison. A higher polling rate still helps by making each frame's input fresher.
Controller Input Lag and Stick Drift
Polling rate is only one source of controller input lag. Wireless transmission, the game engine and your display add far more. To see how much your screen and browser add, try the Input Lag Test.
While the controller is connected, watch the stick dots. With the sticks untouched, both dots should sit in the centre. A dot that sits off-centre or wanders slowly is a sign of stick drift, usually caused by a worn potentiometer inside the stick.
Testing PlayStation Controllers on PC
DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers work in Chrome and Edge over USB and Bluetooth. Connect the controller, press the PS button or any face button with this page open, and its name appears in the tool. If you have Steam open, Steam Input may take over the controller and present it as a different device, which can change the reading. Close Steam, or turn off Steam Input for the controller, if the result looks wrong.
Over USB, PlayStation controllers usually report faster than over Bluetooth. If you play on PC with a PlayStation controller, a cable gives the most consistent result.
Can You Raise a Controller's Polling Rate?
Some PC gaming controllers let you choose the polling rate in their companion app, often with options from 250 to 1000 Hz or more. Console controllers don't offer the setting officially. Unofficial tools exist on Windows that raise the USB polling rate of some controllers, but they change system drivers, aren't supported by the manufacturers, and can cause instability. If you try one, run this test before and after to see whether it made a real difference.
Wired vs Wireless Controllers
| Connection | Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USB cable | Highest and steadiest | Best for testing and competitive play |
| Maker's wireless dongle | Close to wired | Xbox Wireless Adapter, gaming controller dongles |
| Bluetooth | Lower and less steady | Convenient, but adds latency |
Getting a Steady Reading
Run the test two or three times and compare the averages. Rotate the stick all the way to the edge in smooth, quick circles, since tiny movements near the centre may be filtered out by the controller's dead zone and send fewer updates. Keep the controller close to the computer if it's wireless, charge it fully, and avoid running other games or heavy apps while testing. If the peak is much higher than the average, short pauses in your movement are pulling the average down.
Limitations
The Gamepad API gives browsers controller data after the operating system and driver have handled it, so this test measures the update rate the browser receives, not the USB or Bluetooth report rate directly. It can't change your controller's polling rate. Results vary between browsers, and some controllers need extra drivers or software to report at their highest rate.
Related Tests
- Input Lag Test: measure browser input-to-frame delay and your reaction time.
- Mouse Polling Rate Test: measure your mouse's report rate.
- Keyboard Polling Rate Test: estimate your keyboard's polling rate.
Frequently Asked Questions: Controller Polling Rate
Why doesn't the test detect my controller?
Browsers only reveal a controller after you press one of its buttons while the page is open, for privacy. Connect the controller, click on the page, then press any button. If it still doesn't appear, check the controller works in your system's game controller settings and try another USB cable or port.
Why does my 1000 Hz controller read lower?
Browsers read controllers on their own schedule, and some sample them at a fixed rate that is lower than 1000 Hz. Bluetooth connections are also usually slower than wired. A lower reading here doesn't mean the controller is faulty; use the controller's own software or a native tool for an exact figure.
Is the result limited by my monitor's refresh rate?
Not directly. During a test run, the controller is read many times per frame, so the reading can exceed your refresh rate. The Display tile shows your refresh rate for comparison. In games, though, most engines read the controller once per frame, so a 60 Hz game only uses 60 updates per second.
Which controllers can I test?
Any controller your browser recognises through the Gamepad API, including Xbox, PlayStation DualShock 4 and DualSense, Switch Pro and most PC gamepads. PlayStation and Switch controllers work best in Chrome or Edge.
Does wired or Bluetooth matter for polling rate?
Yes. Wired USB connections usually run at the controller's highest rate. Bluetooth typically runs slower and adds latency, and some controllers only offer higher rates through a USB cable or their own wireless dongle.