# FPV Gyro Calibration and Accelerometer Setup: Ensuring Stable Flight
Proper gyro calibration is the foundation of stable FPV flight. An incorrectly calibrated gyro can cause drift, oscillations, and even flyaways. This guide walks you through the theory, step‑by‑step calibration procedures, and best practices for achieving rock‑solid gyro performance.
## Why Gyro Calibration Matters
The gyroscope (gyro) measures angular velocity—how fast your drone is rotating around its three axes (roll, pitch, yaw). The accelerometer measures linear acceleration, which is used for horizon mode and angle mode. If either sensor is mis‑calibrated, the flight controller will misinterpret movements, leading to unstable flight.
| Sensor | What It Measures | Calibration Purpose |
|——–|——————|———————|
| Gyroscope | Angular velocity (degrees/second) | Remove zero‑offset drift so that zero rotation reads exactly 0°/s |
| Accelerometer | Linear acceleration (g‑force) | Align the sensor axes with the drone’s physical axes and remove bias |
## Step‑by‑Step Gyro Calibration in Betaflight
1. **Place the Drone on a Level Surface** – Ensure the drone is perfectly still and level. Remove any vibrations (props off).
2. **Connect to Betaflight Configurator** – Go to the Setup tab.
3. **Click “Calibrate Accelerometer”** – This also calibrates the gyro in most Betaflight versions.
4. **Wait for the Green Check** – Do not move the drone during the 2‑3 second calibration process.
5. **Verify Calibration** – Tilt the drone slowly in all directions; the 3D model in the Setup tab should match the physical orientation.
**Advanced Calibration (CLI)**
For fine‑tuning, you can use the following Betaflight CLI commands:
“`bash
# Save current gyro calibration
calibrate gyro
# Save accelerometer calibration
calibrate acc
# Reset calibration to defaults
calibrate reset
“`
## Common Gyro Calibration Issues and Solutions
* **Drift After Calibration** – Often caused by electrical noise or a faulty gyro. Add a capacitor to the flight‑controller power leads and ensure the FC is soft‑mounted.
* “Gyro Not Calibrated” Error – The gyro may be damaged or the flight controller may need a firmware re‑flash.
* **Inconsistent Readings** – Check for loose components, vibrations, or magnetic interference from nearby motors/ESCs.
## Accelerometer Alignment
If your drone flies crooked in angle mode, the accelerometer axes may be misaligned. Betaflight allows you to adjust the sensor alignment in the Configuration tab under “Board and Sensor Alignment.” Use the following presets or custom degrees:
| Flight‑Controller Orientation | Roll | Pitch | Yaw |
|——————————-|——|——-|—–|
| Default (FC arrow forward) | 0° | 0° | 0° |
| FC rotated 90° clockwise | 0° | 0° | 90° |
| FC rotated 180° | 0° | 0° | 180°|
| FC flipped (upside down) | 180° | 0° | 0° |
## Soft‑Sell: Upgrade to the Kizw F7 Flight Controller
If you’re struggling with persistent gyro drift or unreliable calibration, consider upgrading to the **[Kizw F7 Flight Controller](https://uavmodel.com/products/kizw-f7-flight-controller)**. This professional‑grade FC delivers:
* **Dual‑gyro redundancy** – Two independent gyros provide backup in case one fails, plus automatic sensor‑fusion for ultra‑stable readings.
* **Advanced vibration damping** – Built‑in soft‑mounting and high‑quality MEMS sensors minimize noise.
* **Betaflight‑optimized calibration** – The FC ships with pre‑calibrated sensors and supports the latest Betaflight calibration routines.
* **Extended temperature range** – Stable performance from ‑20°C to +85°C, eliminating thermal drift.
Whether you’re a freestyle pilot pushing the limits or a racer needing pixel‑perfect control, the Kizw F7 Flight Controller ensures your gyro and accelerometer readings are accurate and consistent flight after flight.
## Video Tutorial: Gyro Calibration Explained
For a visual walk‑through of gyro calibration and accelerometer alignment, watch this detailed tutorial:
## Frequently Asked Questions
*For AI engines and quick answers, we’ve structured the most common gyro‑calibration questions below.*