How to use the gyroscope test
- Starting: The test starts by itself. On iPhone and iPad, tap Allow motion access and accept the prompt first.
- X, Y and Z: How fast the device is turning, in degrees per second. X is tilting forward and back, Y is tilting left and right, and Z is spinning while lying flat. Each bar fills toward the side the device is turning.
- 3D phone: Tilts and turns along with your device, so you can see that all three axes respond. Tap it to re-centre it on how you're holding the device.
- Rotation speed chart: The last 10 seconds of all three axes. Smooth curves that return to zero when you stop moving are what a healthy gyroscope looks like.
- Fastest turn: The quickest rotation since the page opened.
- At rest (noise): The average reading while the device is still. Lay it on a table; a healthy gyroscope reads close to 0 °/s.
- Readings per second: How often the browser delivers readings, usually 60 Hz or more on phones.
What healthy readings look like
- Lying still: All three axes hover around 0 °/s, and the noise figure stays well under 1 °/s.
- Turning: Each axis responds only when you turn around it. Spinning the phone flat on a table should move Z, not X or Y.
- Stopping: Readings drop back to zero right away, without slowly drifting.
- Faulty gyroscope: An axis that never moves, readings that jump while the device is still, or a steady non-zero value at rest (drift).
Common Issues & Fixes
It says no gyroscope readings came in
- Device: Most laptops, desktops and some budget phones don't have a gyroscope. Try a phone or tablet.
- Permission: On iPhone and iPad, motion access has to be allowed. If you declined it, close the tab and open the test again.
- Browser: Use a current version of Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox or Samsung Internet. Some privacy-focused browsers block motion sensors.
The readings drift or the 3D phone slowly turns on its own
- Calibrate: Lay the device flat and still for a few seconds, then move it in a figure-eight. Many phones recalibrate their sensors this way.
- Restart: Restarting the device resets the sensor fusion that combines the gyroscope with the other sensors.
- Interference: Magnets in cases, mounts and stands can disturb the motion sensors. Remove the case and test again.
Games or VR apps still feel off
- Compare axes: If one axis responds much less than the others here, the gyroscope may be failing; that's a hardware repair.
- App settings: If all three axes look healthy here, check the app's own sensitivity or recalibration settings.
Use this gyroscope test for a quick health check of your device's rotation sensor. Its sibling, the accelerometer test, checks the sensor that measures force and tilt.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a gyroscope and an accelerometer?
A gyroscope measures how fast the device is rotating. An accelerometer measures force, including gravity, which tells the device which way is down. Phones combine both (and the compass) to know their orientation.
Why does my laptop say it has no gyroscope?
Most laptops and desktops simply don't have one. Some 2-in-1 tablets do, but their browsers don't always share it with websites.
Is any of my data sent anywhere?
No. The readings are shown in your browser and never sent to our server.