An HVAC actuator configured to actuate an HVAC component may include a rotatable output shaft having a range of rotation between a first end position and a second end position, a drive mechanism configured to selectively drive the output shaft, and a housing for housing the drive mechanism. The HVAC actuator may include a position indicator viewable from a front side of the housing that moves as the output shaft is rotated such that the position indicator indicates a current position of the output shaft. The position indicator may include an indicator wheel that is directly coupled to the output shaft of the HVAC actuator and may rotate with the output shaft. The indicator wheel may have one or more markings that move with the indicator wheel. The one or more markings may include a line extending in a radial direction from a rotation axis of the indicator wheel.