Description
About Gamepad Reaction Time Test
Introduction
Gamepad Reaction Time Test measures delay from an on-screen cue to your controller press as timestamps in the browser. Human reaction, display refresh, and browser scheduling dominate. It is not USB controller poll latency.
What this tool does
The tester schedules a visual cue, watches Gamepad button pressed transitions, and computes a delta. Results show per-trial times and simple averages when available. Pair with Gamepad Test to confirm the button works at all.
When to use it
Use it when comparing Bluetooth versus wired feel, evaluating two pads on the same PC, or teaching that reaction drills differ from hardware poll myths. Prefer hardware analyzers for certified input-lag numbers.
How it works
Cues use high-resolution clocks in the page. Presses are observed through Gamepad polling aligned with animation frames, so poll granularity is included. Background tabs throttle timers. No Permissions API prompt appears.
Step-by-step instructions
- Open Gamepad Reaction Time Test, connect the pad, and press a button to wake the Gamepad API.
- Start a trial, wait for the cue without anticipating, then press promptly.
- Complete several trials and note the average rather than one lucky run.
- Optionally repeat USB versus Bluetooth with browser and display settings held constant.
Common problems
High totals usually reflect human reaction plus display and browser scheduling. Wrong button index or an asleep pad causes missed detections. Do not publish results as controller poll rate.
Privacy explanation
Reaction timestamps stay in your browser session. DeviceHub does not upload scores or controller identifiers. No microphone or camera permission is requested.