Tilt and rotate your device to see real-time orientation data. Works best on mobile devices.
Tilt and rotate your device in different directions to see the 3D cube follow your movements.
On iOS 13+, you may need to click "Request Permission" to enable motion sensor access.
Desktop browsers may simulate orientation data but typically don't have physical gyroscope sensors.
Your device contains two key motion sensors: The accelerometer measures linear acceleration (including gravity) along three axes — it knows which way is "down" and detects movement. The gyroscope measures angular velocity (rotation rate) — it tracks how fast and in which direction the device is rotating. Together, they provide a complete picture of device orientation and movement in 3D space.
Alpha (α): 0-360° — compass direction (rotation around the Z-axis). 0° is north, 90° is east. Beta (β): -180° to 180° — front-to-back tilt (rotation around X-axis). 0° means flat, 90° means standing up. Gamma (γ): -90° to 90° — left-to-right tilt (rotation around Y-axis). These three angles fully describe the device's 3D orientation.
Modern phones use MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) sensors — microscopic mechanical structures etched onto silicon chips. A MEMS gyroscope contains tiny vibrating structures whose motion changes when the device rotates (Coriolis effect). A MEMS accelerometer uses a tiny suspended mass that shifts position when acceleration is applied. These sensors are incredibly small (1-2mm) yet remarkably precise.
Starting with iOS 13, Apple requires websites to explicitly request permission to access motion sensors. This is a privacy feature to prevent websites from tracking device movement without user consent. Tap "Allow" when prompted to enable the test.
Motion sensors are typically only available on mobile devices (phones, tablets). Desktop computers and most laptops don't have gyroscopes. If you're on mobile, ensure you've granted motion sensor permission and try rotating your device.
Motion sensors enable: screen rotation (landscape/portrait), step counting and fitness tracking, image stabilization in cameras, augmented reality (AR) apps, gaming controls (tilting to steer), navigation apps (dead reckoning when GPS signal is lost), and gesture recognition.