How to connect and use Analog Joystick with an Arduino

OVERVIEW

Analog joysticks are a great way to add some control in your projects.

In this tutorial we will learn how to use an analog joystick module.

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PARTS USED

Arduino UNO

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Joystick Module

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Dupont Wires

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CONNECTIONS

We need 5 connections to the joystick.

The connection are : Key, Y, X, Voltage and Ground.

“Y and X” are Analog and “Key” is Digital.

If you don’t need the switch then you can use only 4 pins.

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THE CODE

Analog joysticks are basically potentiometers so they return analog values.

When the joystick is in the resting position or middle, it should return a value of about 512.

The range of values go from 0 to 1024.

// Arduino pin numbers
const int SW_pin = 2; // digital pin connected to switch output
const int X_pin = 0; // analog pin connected to X output
const int Y_pin = 1; // analog pin connected to Y output

void setup() {
  pinMode(SW_pin, INPUT);
  digitalWrite(SW_pin, HIGH);
  Serial.begin(115200);
}

void loop() {
  Serial.print("Switch:  ");
  Serial.print(digitalRead(SW_pin));
  Serial.print("\n");
  Serial.print("X-axis: ");
  Serial.print(analogRead(X_pin));
  Serial.print("\n");
  Serial.print("Y-axis: ");
  Serial.println(analogRead(Y_pin));
  Serial.print("\n\n");
  delay(500);
}

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TUTORIAL VIDEO

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DOWNLOAD

Copy and Paste the above Sketch/Code in your Arduino IDE.