Accelerometer Test
Test your device's accelerometer sensor. Move your device to see real-time acceleration data.
How to Use This Test
- Open this page on a smartphone or tablet with an accelerometer sensor
- Grant motion sensor permission if prompted by your browser (required on iOS 13+)
- Move, tilt, or shake your device and observe the real-time acceleration values on each axis
What This Test Checks
The accelerometer test reads data from the Device Motion API to display linear acceleration and gravitational forces acting on your device across three axes.
- X-axis acceleration -- left-to-right movement and lateral tilt of the device
- Y-axis acceleration -- forward-and-backward movement and vertical tilt
- Z-axis acceleration -- up-and-down movement, including the constant pull of gravity (~9.8 m/s squared)
- Sensor responsiveness -- how quickly and accurately the values update in response to motion
Troubleshooting
If you're having issues with the accelerometer test:
- Ensure you are on a mobile device -- most desktops and standard laptops lack an accelerometer
- On iOS, tap "Allow" when Safari prompts for motion and orientation access
- Try refreshing the page if the values remain at zero despite moving the device
- Close background apps that might be locking the motion sensor
- If readings seem wildly inaccurate, restart your device to reset the sensor calibration
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the accelerometer show values even when my device is still?
The accelerometer always detects Earth's gravitational pull of approximately 9.8 m/s squared. When your device is lying flat, the Z-axis will show around 9.8 while X and Y remain near zero. This is normal behavior and confirms the sensor is working correctly.
Does this test work on a laptop or desktop computer?
Most laptops and desktops do not have an accelerometer sensor, so the test will show 'not supported' on these devices. Some 2-in-1 convertible laptops and tablets with detachable keyboards do include accelerometers. The test works best on smartphones and tablets.
What units does the accelerometer use?
The Device Motion API reports acceleration values in meters per second squared (m/s squared). The values include gravitational acceleration by default. Earth's gravity produces a constant reading of about 9.8 m/s squared on whichever axis is pointing toward the ground.
How is accelerometer data used in apps and games?
Apps use accelerometer data for step counting and fitness tracking, auto-rotating the screen orientation, tilt-based game controls, shake-to-undo gestures, crash and fall detection, and augmented reality positioning. It is one of the most widely used sensors in mobile devices.
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