🎮 DS Cal
🔬 Originally developed for controller repair shops · MIT Open Source

DualShock Calibration GUI
Fix PS4 & PS5 Stick Drift
in Your Browser — Free

The same browser-based recalibration tool trusted by controller repair shops and recommended by Battle Beaver Customs, AimControllers, and Nova Controllers. Connect via USB, open Chrome, and recalibrate your DualShock 4 or DualSense in minutes.

🔧 Open Calibration Tool 📖 How to Use

✅ No download  ·  ✅ No account  ·  ✅ No data collected  ·  ✅ Chrome + USB required

Recommended by

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🔧 Calibrate Your Controller

Use Chrome or Edge on desktop with a USB cable. WebHID is required — the tool does not work in Firefox, Safari, or mobile browsers.

DualShock Calibration GUI

🎮 Supported Controllers

The DualShock Calibration GUI supports the following PlayStation controllers via USB. All calibration data is written directly to the controller's firmware and persists across all devices (PS4, PS5, PC, Mac).

🎮 ✅ Supported

DualShock 4

Clone DS4 controllers are automatically detected and blocked. Only genuine Sony DS4 controllers are supported.
🎮 ✅ Supported

DualSense

Requires up-to-date firmware. Update using the official PlayStation Controller Firmware Updater for Windows (free download).
⚡ 🔧 Mod Required

DualSense Edge

The DualSense Edge uses a write-protected flash chip on its stick module. A hardware mod (soldering WP pin to +1.8V) is required to enable write access before calibration.
🕹️ ❌ Not Supported

DualShock 3

DualShock 3 (SIXAXIS) is not supported by this tool. The DS3 uses a different HID protocol. Use the DS3 Input & Report Inspector (Python tool on GitHub) as an alternative.
🎮 ❌ Not Supported

Xbox Controllers

Xbox controllers use a different calibration protocol. Use the GuliKit Test & Cal tool or the Xbox Accessories app (Windows) for Xbox controller calibration.

⚙️ How DualShock Calibration GUI Works

This tool is the result of over one year of reverse-engineering DualShock and DualSense controller firmware. The developer discovered undocumented USB commands originally used during Sony's factory assembly process — commands that instruct the controller to begin analog stick recalibration.

🔌

Step 1: Connect via USB

Connect your DualShock 4 or DualSense to your PC or Mac using a data-capable USB cable. Open this page in Chrome or Edge. Click Connect and select your controller from the browser's HID device picker.

🎯

Step 2: Run Calibration Wizards

Run Calibrate Stick Center — push sticks to all four corners and release. Then run Calibrate Stick Range — slowly rotate both sticks in full circles to map the full motion range.

💾

Step 3: Test, Then Save

By default, calibration is saved in volatile RAM — test it first in a game or on hardwaretester.com/gamepad. Once confirmed, click Save Permanently to write to the controller's NVS flash.

🔬 Technical Detail: Flash-Mirror and NVS Storage

DualShock and DualSense controllers store calibration data in NVS (Non-Volatile Storage) flash at memory addresses 0x11a–0x122. On startup, the controller copies this flash data into RAM (the "flash-mirror"). All calibration changes first modify only the RAM copy — making them temporary and reversible.

The "Save Permanently" function executes an NVSUnlock command followed by a flash write, replacing the stored calibration with the new values. This is why the battery must be charged — an interrupted flash write can corrupt the NVS partition.

💻 Browser & System Requirements

DualShock Calibration GUI uses the WebHID API — a browser technology that allows web pages to communicate directly with USB HID devices. This API is only available in desktop Chromium-based browsers.

✅ Supported

  • 🌐 Google Chrome 89+ (desktop)
  • 🌐 Microsoft Edge (desktop)
  • 🌐 Opera (desktop)
  • 🖥️ Windows 10 / 11
  • 🍎 macOS (Chrome or Edge only)
  • 🐧 Linux (with udev rules configured)
  • 🔌 USB connection (Micro-USB for DS4, USB-C for DualSense)

❌ Not Supported

  • 🦊 Firefox (WebHID not implemented as of v153)
  • 🍎 Safari (WebHID not implemented)
  • 📱 Chrome on Android (different codebase, no WebHID)
  • 📱 Any iOS browser (WebKit engine restriction)
  • 📱 Tablets (same mobile browser restriction)
🔒 Why is WebHID restricted to desktop Chrome?
The WebHID API grants web pages direct access to USB hardware — a powerful capability with security implications. Firefox has declined to implement it citing security model concerns. Apple's iOS requirement that all browsers use WebKit means iOS cannot support it. A Chrome WebHID vulnerability (CVE-2023-1529, CVSS 9.8) was patched in Chrome 111, after which the API remains available but with tighter permission dialogs.

🔒 Is DualShock Calibration GUI Safe?

Short answer: yes, for genuine PlayStation controllers operated correctly. Here is a complete breakdown of the safety considerations:

✅ Why It's Safe

  • 📂 Fully open-source under MIT License — every line of code is auditable on GitHub
  • 🌐 Runs in your browser — nothing is downloaded or installed on your system
  • 🚫 Zero data collection — no analytics, no telemetry, no account required
  • 🏭 Repair-shop origin — originally built for professional controller repair technicians
  • 💾 Default volatile save — mistakes are recoverable by restarting the controller
  • 🔍 Clone detection — fake DS4 controllers are automatically blocked from write operations

⚠️ Risks to Understand

  • 🔋 Battery must be charged — saving permanently with low battery can brick the controller
  • ⛔ Cannot be canceled — once calibration starts, it must complete
  • 🔒 Permanent save cannot be undone — factory calibration cannot be recovered after permanent save
  • 🔧 Hall Effect sticks need physical pre-alignment — skipping this makes drift worse
  • 📋 Worn potentiometers — tool may not help and could worsen drift if hardware is heavily worn

🔗 Explore By Topic

🎮 DualShock 4 Calibration 🎮 DualSense Calibration ⚡ DualSense Edge 🔧 Fix Stick Drift 🎯 Fine-Tune Guide 🧲 Hall Effect Setup 🔌 Not Connecting? ❌ Error 1 Fix 📱 Android Guide ⚖️ Alternative Tools 📖 Full Usage Guide 🚀 Open Tool Now

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Does DualShock Calibration GUI actually work?
Yes — with important caveats. The tool works best after replacing joystick modules (Hall Effect or TMR sticks) to calibrate the new hardware to the controller's firmware. For controllers with early-stage or software-origin drift, recalibration may help temporarily. However, the official tool notice states: 'Calibrating without replacing the joysticks may help temporarily, but it may also make the problem worse, with no way to undo it.' If your stick drift is severe or shows random erratic movement, physical stick replacement is required first.
Is DualShock Calibration GUI safe to use?
Yes. The source code is fully open-source under the MIT License and available on GitHub for anyone to audit. The tool runs entirely inside your browser using the WebHID API — nothing is downloaded or installed. No data is collected or transmitted to any server. The tool was originally developed for use in controller repair shops by a single developer who spent over a year reverse-engineering DualShock firmware commands.
What is the difference between saving temporarily and permanently?
By default, calibration is saved only in the controller's volatile RAM storage. This means if you restart the controller, the calibration reverts to the previous state — which is actually a safety feature. If something goes wrong, simply unplug and reconnect your controller to restore the previous calibration. Only click 'Save Permanently' after you have tested the calibration and confirmed it feels correct. Once saved permanently to the controller's NVS (Non-Volatile Storage) flash, the original factory calibration cannot be recovered.
Which browsers are supported?
Google Chrome (v89+), Microsoft Edge, Opera, and any Chromium-based browser on desktop. Firefox does not support WebHID (as of Firefox 153). Safari does not support WebHID. Chrome for Android and iOS do not support WebHID. The tool explicitly requires a desktop/laptop computer with a Chromium-based browser.
Can I use it on Android or iPhone?
No. The WebHID API is not implemented in any mobile browser. Chrome on Android is a different codebase from Chrome on Desktop and does not include WebHID support. All browsers on iOS use the WebKit engine (Apple's requirement), which does not implement WebHID. There is no official APK version — any APK claiming to be DualShock Calibration GUI is unofficial and potentially harmful.
Can I connect via Bluetooth instead of USB?
USB is strongly recommended. While the WebHID API technically supports Bluetooth HID devices, the DualShock calibration commands require a reliable low-latency connection that Bluetooth cannot always guarantee. Most 'Failed to open device' errors reported by users occurred over Bluetooth. Always use a data-capable USB cable (not a charge-only cable) for best results.
Do I need to charge my controller first?
Yes — this is critical. Do not save calibration permanently if your controller battery is low or disconnected. If the battery dies mid-save, the write operation to the controller's NVS flash will be interrupted, potentially corrupting the calibration data and damaging the controller. Ensure the battery is at least 50% charged, or keep the USB cable connected throughout the process.
Can I cancel the calibration once it starts?
No. Once you press Start on either the Center Calibration or Range Calibration wizards, the process cannot be canceled. Do not close the browser tab or disconnect the controller until the wizard shows the completion screen. If you accidentally trigger a bad calibration, do not click 'Save Permanently' — simply restart the controller to revert to the previous calibration state.
Will updating DualSense firmware reset my calibration?
Generally no. Firmware updates typically do not overwrite the NVS calibration partition. However, a small number of early DualSense firmware updates (reported by users in 2024) did reset calibration in isolated cases. After any major firmware update, it is good practice to verify your calibration using a gamepad tester tool such as hardwaretester.com/gamepad.
Does this tool work with Xbox controllers?
Not fully. Xbox controllers use a different calibration protocol that this tool was not designed for. For Xbox stick drift calibration, use the GuliKit Test & Cal tool (test.gulikit.com) which supports Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox Elite Series 2. Xbox Insider Program members can also access the official Xbox stick drift calibration feature released in early 2024.
Why does the tool say my DS4 is a clone?
The tool reads the controller's hardware vendor ID and firmware signature to verify authenticity. Clone DualShock 4 controllers replicate normal gameplay behavior but do not implement the undocumented factory calibration commands. The tool automatically detects and blocks write operations on clones to prevent data corruption. If you believe your controller is genuine but being flagged, check if it was purchased from an authorized Sony retailer.
Does the calibration persist when I connect to PS4/PS5?
Yes. The calibration is written directly to the controller's internal NVS flash memory. This is independent of the connected device — PS4, PS5, PC, or any other platform. You calibrate once, and the settings persist everywhere until you recalibrate again.