SENSORS/ACTUATORS

Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 - Joystick

Control robots, games, and projects with your Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 and a joystick! This tutorial teaches you everything about using joysticks with Arduino MKR WiFi 1010—from basic wiring to advanced movement control. Learn how to read joystick positions with your Arduino MKR WiFi 1010, detect button presses, and convert analog readings into movement commands. Perfect for building Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 robot controllers, game interfaces, or camera pan-tilt systems with intuitive joystick control.

What You'll Learn

Connecting joysticks to your Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 correctly
Reading X and Y analog positions with Arduino MKR WiFi 1010
Programming Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 to detect joystick button presses
Converting joystick values to movement commands using Arduino MKR WiFi 1010
Building robot controls with Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 and joystick
Creating game controllers using Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 joystick input
Controlling servo motors with Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 joystick movements

Real-World Applications

Robot control: Build Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 robot cars controlled by joystick movements
Game controllers: Create custom gaming interfaces with Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 joystick input
Camera control: Pan-tilt camera systems using Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 and joystick
Drone controls: Design drone controllers with Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 joystick interface
RC vehicles: Control remote cars and boats with Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 joystick commands
Robotic arms: Position robotic arms using Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 joystick control
Wheelchair control: Assistive devices with Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 joystick navigation

Joysticks provide intuitive 2D control perfect for Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 robotics and interactive projects!

Hardware Preparation

1	×	Arduino MKR WiFi 1010
1	×	Micro USB Cable
1	×	Joystick
1	×	Breadboard
1	×	Jumper Wires
1	×	Optionally, DC Power Jack

Or you can buy the following kits:

1	×	DIYables Sensor Kit (30 sensors/displays)
1	×	DIYables Sensor Kit (18 sensors/displays)

Disclosure: Some of the links provided in this section are Amazon affiliate links. We may receive a commission for any purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
Additionally, some of these links are for products from our own brand, DIYables .

Overview of Joystick Sensor

A joystick is an input device you've probably used in video games, RC controllers, or heavy equipment like excavators. Joysticks provide intuitive 2D control by tilting in any direction—perfect for Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 projects!

How joysticks work:

Two potentiometers arranged at 90° to each other measure tilt in X and Y directions
One built-in pushbutton activates when you press down on the joystick

Joystick outputs:

X-axis: Analog value (0-4095) indicating left-right position
Y-axis: Analog value (0-4095) indicating up-down position
Button: Digital value (HIGH/LOW) from the pushbutton

The center position (joystick at rest) produces mid-range values around 2048 for both axes. Your Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 can use all three outputs or just the ones needed for your specific project.

Pinout

Joysticks typically have five pins:

GND pin: Connect to GND (ground/0V)
VCC pin: Connect to 3.3V power
VRX pin: Analog output for horizontal (X-axis) position
VRY pin: Analog output for vertical (Y-axis) position
SW pin: Button output (requires pull-up resistor)—HIGH when not pressed, LOW when pressed

Wiring

Connect the joystick to your Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 as shown in this table:

Joystick	Arduino MKR WiFi 1010
GND	GND
VCC	3.3V
VRX	A2
VRY	A1
SW	A0

How It Works

X-axis (left-right):

Fully left: VRX = 0V → Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 reads 0
Center: VRX = ~1.65V → Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 reads ~2048
Fully right: VRX = 3.3V → Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 reads 4095

Y-axis (up-down):

Fully up: VRY = 0V → Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 reads 0
Center: VRY = ~1.65V → Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 reads ~2048
Fully down: VRY = 3.3V → Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 reads 4095

Diagonal movement:

Both X and Y values change simultaneously based on tilt direction

Button press:

With pull-up resistor: SW pin goes from HIGH (3.3V) to LOW (0V) when pressed
Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 digital pin detects the HIGH-to-LOW transition

Wiring Diagram

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

How to Program Joystick with Arduino MKR WiFi 1010

Programming a joystick involves reading two analog inputs and one digital input:

Reading analog X and Y positions:

int valueX = analogRead(A2); int valueY = analogRead(A1);

Reading the button: Use the ezButton library for reliable button reading—it handles debouncing and enables the internal pull-up resistor automatically. See the Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 - Button tutorial for more details.

After reading raw values, you'll often convert them into useful control commands (shown in the code examples below).

Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 Code Examples

This section provides four complete examples:

Example 1: Read raw analog values from joystick
Example 2: Read analog values and button state
Example 3: Convert values to movement commands (UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT)
Example 4: Convert values to servo motor angles (pan-tilt control)

Reads analog values from joystick

Detailed Instructions

New to Arduino MKR WiFi 1010? Start with our Getting Started with Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 tutorial first!

Wire the joystick to your Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 following the wiring diagram above
Plug your Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 into your computer's USB port
Open the Arduino IDE and select Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 and its COM port
Copy and paste the code above into Arduino IDE
Click the Upload button
Move the joystick in a circle (clockwise or counter-clockwise)
Open the Serial Monitor to see the X and Y values change

COM6

Send

Autoscroll Show timestamp

Clear output

9600 baud

Newline

Calibrating directions:

Move the joystick while watching the Serial Monitor
When X reads 0, that's the LEFT position (opposite side is RIGHT)
When Y reads 0, that's the UP position (opposite side is DOWN)

※ NOTE THAT:

You may notice values don't exactly match joystick position—this is normal ADC behavior for the Arduino MKR WiFi 1010.

Reads analog values and reads the button state from a joystick

/* * This Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 code was developed by newbiely.com * * This Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 code is made available for public use without any restriction * * For comprehensive instructions and wiring diagrams, please visit: * https://newbiely.com/tutorials/arduino-mkr/arduino-mkr-wifi-1010-joystick */ #include <ezButton.h> #define VRX_PIN A2 // Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 pin connected to VRX pin #define VRY_PIN A1 // Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 pin connected to VRY pin #define SW_PIN A0 // Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 pin connected to SW pin ezButton button(SW_PIN); int xValue = 0; // To store value of the X axis int yValue = 0; // To store value of the Y axis int bValue = 0; // To store value of the button void setup() { Serial.begin(9600) ; button.setDebounceTime(50); // set debounce time to 50 milliseconds } void loop() { button.loop(); // MUST call the loop() function first // read analog X and Y analog values xValue = analogRead(VRX_PIN); yValue = analogRead(VRY_PIN); // Read the button value bValue = button.getState(); if (button.isPressed()) { Serial.println("The button is pressed"); // TODO do something here } if (button.isReleased()) { Serial.println("The button is released"); // TODO do something here } // print data to Serial Monitor on Arduino IDE Serial.print("x = "); Serial.print(xValue); Serial.print(", y = "); Serial.print(yValue); Serial.print(" : button = "); Serial.println(bValue); }

Detailed Instructions

Open the Library Manager by clicking the icon on the left side of Arduino IDE
Search for ezButton and find the library by ArduinoGetStarted.com
Click Install to add the ezButton library

Copy the code above and paste it into Arduino IDE
Click Upload to send the code to your Arduino MKR WiFi 1010
Move the joystick in different directions (left, right, up, down)
Press down on the joystick to trigger the button
Check the Serial Monitor for X, Y, and button values

COM6

Send

Autoscroll Show timestamp

Clear output

9600 baud

Newline

Converts analog value to MOVE LEFT/RIGHT/UP/DOWN commands

/* * This Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 code was developed by newbiely.com * * This Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 code is made available for public use without any restriction * * For comprehensive instructions and wiring diagrams, please visit: * https://newbiely.com/tutorials/arduino-mkr/arduino-mkr-wifi-1010-joystick */ #define VRX_PIN A2 // Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 pin connected to VRX pin #define VRY_PIN A1 // Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 pin connected to VRY pin #define LEFT_THRESHOLD 400 #define RIGHT_THRESHOLD 800 #define UP_THRESHOLD 400 #define DOWN_THRESHOLD 800 #define COMMAND_NO 0x00 #define COMMAND_LEFT 0x01 #define COMMAND_RIGHT 0x02 #define COMMAND_UP 0x04 #define COMMAND_DOWN 0x08 int xValue = 0 ; // To store value of the X axis int yValue = 0 ; // To store value of the Y axis int command = COMMAND_NO; void setup() { Serial.begin(9600) ; } void loop() { // read analog X and Y analog values xValue = analogRead(VRX_PIN); yValue = analogRead(VRY_PIN); // converts the analog value to commands // reset commands command = COMMAND_NO; // check left/right commands if (xValue < LEFT_THRESHOLD) command = command | COMMAND_LEFT; else if (xValue > RIGHT_THRESHOLD) command = command | COMMAND_RIGHT; // check up/down commands if (yValue < UP_THRESHOLD) command = command | COMMAND_UP; else if (yValue > DOWN_THRESHOLD) command = command | COMMAND_DOWN; // NOTE: AT A TIME, THERE MAY BE NO COMMAND, ONE COMMAND OR TWO COMMANDS // print command to serial and process command if (command & COMMAND_LEFT) { Serial.println("COMMAND LEFT"); // TODO: add your task here } if (command & COMMAND_RIGHT) { Serial.println("COMMAND RIGHT"); // TODO: add your task here } if (command & COMMAND_UP) { Serial.println("COMMAND UP"); // TODO: add your task here } if (command & COMMAND_DOWN) { Serial.println("COMMAND DOWN"); // TODO: add your task here } }

Detailed Instructions

Copy the code above and paste it into Arduino IDE
Click Upload to send the code to Arduino MKR WiFi 1010
Move the joystick in any direction (left, right, up, down, or diagonal)
Check the Serial Monitor for movement commands

COM6

Send

Autoscroll Show timestamp

Clear output

9600 baud

Newline

※ NOTE THAT:

Depending on joystick position, you may see no command, one command, or two simultaneous commands (e.g., "UP" and "LEFT" together for diagonal movement).

Converting Analog Values to Servo Motor Angles

For controlling pan-tilt systems with servo motors using your joystick, see the complete tutorial: Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 - Joystick Controls Servo Motor.

Challenge Yourself

Once you have your joystick working, try these advanced projects:

Robot car control: Use joystick X-axis for steering and Y-axis for speed control
LED matrix cursor: Move a pixel cursor across an LED matrix display with the joystick
Multiple modes: Use the button to switch between different control modes
Speed control: Map joystick distance from center to motor speed (farther = faster)
Cursor smoothing: Add averaging to make joystick control smoother and less jittery
Dual joysticks: Connect two joysticks for tank-style robot control (left/right tracks)
Menu navigation: Create an LCD menu system controlled by joystick movements

Video Tutorial

Function References

Learn More

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