Mouse Drift Test
Detect unwanted cursor movement and sensor drift while your mouse sits still.
This test detects cursor drift — when your mouse moves the pointer on its own while sitting still. Start the test, then let go of the mouse and watch whether anything moves. Uses Pointer Lock to read raw sensor movement.
Ready to test
Press Start, then take your hand completely off the mouse. Any cursor movement while you are not touching it is drift.
Start the test and take your hand off the mouse. The tool locks the pointer, reads raw sensor movement, and reports any drift with a live position indicator, total distance, drift rate, and direction. Best used on a desktop with a mouse and a proper mousepad.
Want to check the buttons too? Try the all-in-one Mouse Tester for clicks, scroll, and double-click faults.Mouse Drift Test Guide
What is the Mouse Drift Test?
The Mouse Drift Test is a free online tool that detects cursor drift — when your mouse reports movement and nudges the pointer even though it is sitting perfectly still. It captures the raw movement coming from the sensor and measures how far, how fast, and in which direction the pointer travels while your hand is off the mouse. Drift is the mouse equivalent of controller stick drift, and this tool makes it easy to confirm with precise movement detection and a live drift indicator.
How to Use the Test
- 1. Put your mouse on a clean, flat, opaque mousepad.
- 2. Press Start Drift Test — the browser will lock and hide the pointer.
- 3. Take your hand completely off the mouse and do not touch the desk.
- 4. Watch the dot and the Total Drift / Drift Rate readouts for at least 10 seconds.
- 5. Press Esc (or click the field) to stop and read the verdict.
How the Detection Works
When you start the test the tool requests Pointer Lock and, where the browser supports it, asks for unadjusted movement so the readings come straight from the sensor without mouse acceleration. While locked, every movement the mouse reports is added up: the total distance travelled, the net offset from the centre, the direction of travel, and the fastest single jump. A perfectly healthy mouse that is not being touched reports zero movement, so anything that accumulates points to drift.
Reading the Results
| Reading | What it means |
|---|---|
| Total Drift | All movement added together while the mouse was still. Should be 0. |
| Net Offset | How far, and which way, the pointer ended up from the centre. |
| Drift Rate | Pixels of movement per second — sustained values point to a real fault. |
| Peak Jump | The largest single movement, useful for spotting sensor spikes. |
| Verdict | No drift, minor movement (likely a bump), or genuine cursor drift. |
What Causes Mouse Drift?
Most drift comes from the sensor reading movement that is not really there. Common culprits are a dirty or scratched sensor lens, dust or hair on the mousepad, a glossy, transparent, or reflective surface the sensor cannot track cleanly, a failing sensor, or an unstable wireless link. Heavy mouse acceleration, pointer smoothing, and some buggy drivers can also make the cursor wander. Cleaning the sensor and using a proper opaque mousepad resolves a surprising number of cases before any hardware needs replacing.
When to Run This Test
- • When the cursor seems to move or creep on its own.
- • When your aim pulls to one side in games for no reason.
- • After cleaning the sensor or switching mousepads, to confirm the fix.
- • Before buying a used mouse, or when checking a new one.
- • When a warranty claim needs evidence of a sensor fault.
Frequently Asked Questions
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