diff --git a/Encoder.h b/Encoder.h
index 9ed35ee..5aa6cbb 100644
--- a/Encoder.h
+++ b/Encoder.h
@@ -151,6 +151,17 @@ class Encoder
 		encoder.position = p;
 	}
 #endif
+	inline int32_t getDirection() {
+		int32_t prevPos = encoder.position;
+		long currPos = read();
+		int32_t direction = 0;
+		if (currPos > prevPos) {
+			direction = 1;
+		} else if (currPos < prevPos) {
+			direction = -1;
+		}
+		return direction;
+	}
 private:
 	Encoder_internal_state_t encoder;
 #ifdef ENCODER_USE_INTERRUPTS
diff --git a/examples/Direction/Direction.ino b/examples/Direction/Direction.ino
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e6abd86
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/Direction/Direction.ino
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+/* Encoder Library - Basic Example
+ * http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/td_libs_Encoder.html
+ *
+ * This example code is in the public domain.
+ */
+
+#include <Encoder.h>
+
+// Change these two numbers to the pins connected to your encoder.
+//   Best Performance: both pins have interrupt capability
+//   Good Performance: only the first pin has interrupt capability
+//   Low Performance:  neither pin has interrupt capability
+Encoder myEnc(5, 6);
+//   avoid using pins with LEDs attached
+
+void setup() {
+  Serial.begin(9600);
+  Serial.println("Encoder Direction Test:");
+}
+
+void loop() {
+  int direction = myEnc.getDirection();
+
+  if (direction > 0) {
+    Serial.println("Forward");
+  } else if (direction < 0) {
+    Serial.println("Backward");
+  }
+}