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Read an Analog Joystick (Arduino)

Read X/Y position and the button from a thumb joystick. Learn analogRead on two axes plus a digital button.

Beginner15 min

What you need

Wiring

Arduino Uno
Analog joystick

Hover a pin or a wire to trace the connection.

Code

joystick.ino
// Read a 2-axis joystick and its button.
const int xPin = A0, yPin = A1, swPin = 2;

void setup() {
  pinMode(swPin, INPUT_PULLUP);  // button reads LOW when pressed
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  int x = analogRead(xPin);   // ~0..1023, centered near 512
  int y = analogRead(yPin);
  bool pressed = digitalRead(swPin) == LOW;

  Serial.print("X: ");  Serial.print(x);
  Serial.print("  Y: "); Serial.print(y);
  Serial.print("  Button: "); Serial.println(pressed ? "DOWN" : "up");
  delay(200);
}

Steps

  1. Wire: +5V and GND to power, VRx to A0, VRy to A1, SW to D2.
  2. Upload, open the Serial Monitor.
  3. Move the stick and press it — watch X, Y, and the button change.