5-Pin vs 4.8 mm Joystick Wiring: Which One Do You Need?
When you’re building a DIY arcade stick or restoring a cabinet, most people focus on joysticks and buttons… but the wiring you choose is just as important. Picking the wrong cable can lead to installation headaches, incorrect inputs, or compatibility issues.
In this guide, we’ll explain the difference between 5-pin joystick wiring and individual 4.8 mm terminal wiring, show you how to tell which one your joystick uses, and help you choose the right cable for your build.
What Is a 5-Pin Joystick Interface?
A 5-pin interface uses a single ribbon cable with a compact connector that plugs directly into the joystick’s PCB. Instead of four separate direction wires plus ground, everything is combined into one neat plug.
Typical characteristics of 5-pin wiring:
- One single connector instead of multiple loose wires
- Very clean cable management inside the case
- Fast and beginner-friendly installation
Common joystick types that use 5-pin connectors:
- Sanwa JLF series and many JLF-style levers
- Some Seimitsu and modern PCB-based joysticks
- Various “JLF-compatible” aftermarket levers
If your joystick has a small white connector on a PCB (often labeled GND, UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT), it almost certainly uses a 5-pin harness.
For these joysticks, we offer a ready-to-use harness:
👉 5pcs Arcade Joystick Zero Delay USB Encoder 5-Pin Wiring Harness Cable
What Is a 4.8 mm (Microswitch) Joystick Interface?
Not all joysticks use a single PCB connector. Many classic or “American-style” joysticks use individual microswitches for each direction instead. Each microswitch has metal tabs where you attach wires with quick-disconnect terminals.
Typical characteristics of 4.8 mm terminal wiring:
- One wire for each direction (UP / DOWN / LEFT / RIGHT)
- Shared ground (either daisy-chained or separate, depending on build)
- Uses push-on spade terminals, often 4.8 mm (0.187″) size
Common joystick types that use individual terminals:
- Happ and IL style joysticks
- Some Seimitsu LS series and older levers
- Many traditional or clone joysticks with four separate microswitches
If you see four separate microswitches around the joystick, each with metal tabs, you’re looking at a microswitch-style lever that needs individual terminal wires.
For these joysticks, we carry compatible wiring:
👉 20pcs Arcade Joystick Zero Delay USB Encoder Wire Terminal 0.187" / 4.8 mm Cable
5-Pin vs 4.8 mm Wiring: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | 5-Pin Joystick Wiring | 4.8 mm Terminal Wiring |
|---|---|---|
| Connector type | Single 5-pin plug to the joystick PCB | Individual 4.8 mm spade terminals to each microswitch |
| Installation difficulty | Very easy – “plug and play” once oriented correctly | More manual – multiple connections to each switch |
| Cable management | Very clean, fewer loose wires | More wires inside the case, but flexible routing |
| Typical joystick types | Sanwa JLF and JLF-style PCB levers | Happ / IL, many Seimitsu LS, classic levers |
| Best for | Beginners, modern builds, clean interiors | Classic restorations, custom wiring, mixed hardware |
How to Tell Which Interface Your Joystick Uses
1. Visual Inspection
Open your enclosure or look at your joystick from underneath:
- 5-Pin: You’ll see a small white connector on a PCB attached to the joystick. It usually has five labeled pins (GND + 4 directions).
-
4.8 mm / Microswitch: You’ll see four separate microswitches, each with metal tabs for quick-disconnects. No central 5-pin header.
2. Check the Product Listing or Model Name
Many joystick listings will say things like:
- “5-pin connector”, “JLF-compatible 5-pin”
- “Microswitch terminals 0.187" / 4.8 mm”
If you are still unsure, you can usually search the exact joystick model + “wiring” or contact us for help before ordering cables.
When You Should Choose 5-Pin Wiring
Go with a 5-pin harness if:
- You are using a Sanwa JLF or another JLF-style joystick
- You prefer clean internal wiring and easy installation
- You’re a beginner and want the simplest wiring option
- Your encoder board clearly supports a 5-pin joystick connector
Our recommended harness:
✅ 5-Pin Joystick Wiring Harness Cable
When You Should Choose 4.8 mm Terminal Wiring
Go with 4.8 mm terminal wiring if:
- Your joystick uses individual microswitches with metal tabs
- You are restoring or building a classic arcade cabinet
- You want more flexibility in how you route and organize wires
- You need to mix different brands or types of joystick hardware
Our recommended wire set:
✅ 4.8 mm Joystick Wire Terminal Cable Set
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Buying a 5-pin cable for a microswitch joystick.
If there’s no 5-pin header on your joystick, the harness simply has nowhere to plug in. -
Mixing terminal sizes.
Some buttons and joysticks use 2.8 mm (0.110″), others 4.8 mm (0.187″). Make sure your cables match the hardware. -
Forgetting the ground connection.
Each direction needs signal and ground. Many builds use a daisy-chain ground harness. -
Forcing connectors.
Never force a terminal onto a tab that’s clearly too big or too small. This can damage the switch.
Choosing the Right Cable for Your Build
Before you order wiring, take a moment to:
- Look under your joystick and identify: 5-pin PCB or 4 microswitches?
- Check which connector type your encoder board supports.
- Decide whether you value super clean wiring (5-pin) or maximum flexibility (4.8 mm terminals).
Once you know your joystick’s interface, picking the correct harness is easy:
- ✅ For 5-pin PCB joysticks:5-Pin Joystick Wiring Harness
- ✅ For microswitch-style joysticks:4.8 mm Joystick Wire Terminal Cable Set
If you’re still not sure which one you need, feel free to reach out with a photo of the bottom of your joystick. We’re happy to help you match the right wiring to your parts so you can get back to what matters: playing your favorite games.