What is eDPI? Understanding Effective DPI for FPS Games

You’ve probably heard streamers mention their “eDPI,” watched YouTube videos recommending “800 eDPI for CS2,” or seen Reddit threads debating whether lower is better. But when you try copying those settings, your aim still feels off. Sound familiar?

Here’s the problem: most guides throw around eDPI numbers without explaining what they actually mean, why they matter, or how to find the right one for you. You’re left guessing whether you should change your mouse DPI, in-game sensitivity, or both – and every adjustment feels like starting over.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about eDPI: what it is, how to calculate it, why it’s more useful than DPI or sensitivity alone, and how to choose the right range for your playstyle. By the end, you’ll understand exactly what those pro player eDPI numbers mean and how to use them as a starting point – not a rigid rule.

Understanding DPI and Sensitivity First

Before diving into eDPI, let’s quickly clarify the two components it combines:

DPI (Dots Per Inch) is your mouse’s hardware sensitivity. A mouse set to 800 DPI moves the cursor 800 pixels for every inch you physically move the mouse. This setting is controlled through your mouse software (Logitech G Hub, Razer Synapse, etc.) and affects your cursor speed everywhere – desktop, browser, and all games.

In-Game Sensitivity is the software multiplier applied within a specific game. If you set CS2’s sensitivity to 1.0, the game uses your mouse movements at 1:1 scale. Set it to 2.0, and the game doubles every mouse movement. This setting only affects the game where you changed it.

Here’s the key insight: neither number tells the full story alone. A player using 400 DPI with 2.0 sensitivity has the exact same in-game mouse speed as someone using 800 DPI with 1.0 sensitivity. Without knowing both numbers, you can’t compare setups or replicate someone else’s feel.

What is eDPI (Effective DPI)?

eDPI (Effective DPI) is the true measure of your in-game mouse sensitivity, calculated by multiplying your mouse DPI by your in-game sensitivity:

eDPI = DPI × In-Game Sensitivity

Why eDPI Matters

eDPI gives you a single number to:

1. Compare your settings with others: When a pro says “I use 800 eDPI,” you know their exact in-game sensitivity regardless of their DPI.
2. Maintain consistency across setups: If you switch mice or DPI, you can recalculate sensitivity to keep the same feel.
3. Communicate clearly: Instead of saying “I use 400 DPI and 2.0 sensitivity,” you can say “I use 800 eDPI.”
4. Track your settings history: A single number is easier to remember and document than two separate values.

Calculating Your eDPI

Use our eDPI calculators to instantly calculate your effective sensitivity for any game:

• CS2 eDPI Calculator: Specialized for Counter-Strike 2 with pro player ranges
• Valorant eDPI Calculator: Optimized for Valorant with agent-specific considerations

Or calculate manually: just multiply your mouse DPI by your in-game sensitivity. For example, if you use 800 DPI with 1.2 sensitivity in CS2:

800 × 1.2 = 960 eDPI

eDPI vs DPI vs Sensitivity: What Really Matters?

Which matters most?

For aiming consistency, eDPI is what you should focus on because it represents your actual in-game sensitivity. However:

• DPI affects sensor performance: Very low DPI (<400) or extremely high DPI (>3200) can cause tracking issues depending on your mouse sensor.
• Sensitivity affects precision: Using extreme sensitivity values (like 0.1 or 10.0) can introduce rounding errors in some games.

Most experienced players choose a reasonable DPI (400-1600) and adjust sensitivity to achieve their target eDPI. This balances sensor performance, desktop usability, and in-game feel.

The Practical Takeaway

Focus on eDPI for consistency, but don’t ignore the components. If your setup works, changing DPI just to match someone else’s serves no purpose – keep the same eDPI by adjusting sensitivity accordingly.

Can You Use eDPI to Compare Across Games?

Here’s where things get tricky: eDPI alone doesn’t perfectly translate between different games.

Even if you use 800 eDPI in both CS2 and Valorant, they’ll feel different due to:

• FOV (Field of View): Wider FOV makes the same mouse movement cover more screen space
• Aspect ratio: 16:9 vs 4:3 stretched affects perceived sensitivity
• Movement mechanics: How character acceleration and strafing work
• ADS/Zoom multipliers: Different scoping sensitivities
• Engine differences: How each game engine processes mouse input

The Solution: cm/360 and Sensitivity Converters

To accurately match sensitivity across games, you need cm/360 (centimeters per 360° turn), which measures how far you need to move your mouse to complete a full rotation in-game. This is a physical measurement that accounts for game-specific factors.

For example:

• 800 eDPI in CS2 ≈ 51.8 cm/360
• To match this feel in Valorant, you’d need ≈ 330 eDPI (due to different sensitivity scaling)

Don’t do the math yourself – use our Sensitivity Converter to automatically calculate accurate cross-game conversions. It handles FOV adjustments, engine differences, and game-specific scaling for you.

When eDPI Is Enough

eDPI works perfectly for:

• Comparing settings within the same game (CS2 to CS2, Valorant to Valorant)
• Maintaining consistency when changing mice or DPI
• Understanding pro player settings in a specific title

But for cross-game comparisons, always use a sensitivity converter tool.

How to Choose Your Ideal eDPI Range

There’s no magic eDPI number that works for everyone. The “best” eDPI depends on your mousepad size, arm vs wrist aiming style, game preference, and role. Here’s a practical framework to find yours:

Step 1: Choose a Starting Range

Based on your playstyle and game, pick a rough starting point:

Not sure which range fits you? Consider:

• Mousepad size: Small pad? Start higher. Large pad (40cm+)? You can go lower.
• Aiming style: Mostly wrist? Go higher. Full arm movements? Go lower.
• Role: Entry fragger or duelist? Consider medium-high. Support or AWPer? Consider low-medium.

Step 2: Lock It In and Adapt

Once you pick a starting eDPI:

1. Use it for at least 3-5 days without changing anything. Your muscle memory needs time to adjust.
2. Practice deliberately: Focus on Deathmatch, aim trainers, or practice mode rather than ranked games initially.
3. Note specific issues: Is tracking hard? You might be too low. Overshooting flicks? Might be too high.

Step 3: Make Small Adjustments

After your testing period, if you need to adjust:

• Change in small increments: ±50 eDPI or ±0.05 sensitivity at a time
• Test each change for at least 2 days before deciding if it’s better
• Keep notes: Screenshot or write down each setting with date and feedback

Example Adjustment Path

Let’s say you start at 800 eDPI (CS2):

• Day 1-5: Test 800 eDPI. Notice you’re overshooting close-range flicks.
• Day 6-8: Drop to 750 eDPI. Flicks improve, but tracking feels slower.
• Day 9-12: Try 775 eDPI as a middle ground. Feels balanced.
• Decision: Stick with 775 eDPI and stop changing.

Common Mistakes and Practical Tips

Pro Tips for Finding Your eDPI

Use aim trainers: Tools like Aim Lab or KovaaK’s let you test sensitivity in isolated scenarios (tracking, flicking, target switching) to identify weaknesses.

Record your performance: Note your K/D, headshot %, or aim trainer scores at each eDPI. Objective data helps you see what actually works.

Consider your mousepad: If you’re constantly running out of mousepad space, your eDPI might be too low for your setup.

Match your desktop sensitivity feel: Some players prefer their in-game sensitivity to feel similar to desktop cursor speed. Others don’t care. Find what feels intuitive for you.

Test 180° flicks: In your chosen game, try to quickly turn 180° to check behind you. If this requires awkward or uncomfortable arm movement, consider raising eDPI slightly.

Suggested Practice Routine

1. Calculate your current eDPI using one of the calculators above
2. Determine your target range based on the guidelines in this article
3. Lock in a starting eDPI and test it for 3-5 days minimum
4. Track your progress with notes or aim trainer scores
5. Make small adjustments (±50 eDPI) only after thorough testing
6. Use the Sensitivity Converter if you play multiple games to maintain consistent feel

Important Disclaimer

Ready to find your perfect sensitivity? Start with our CS2 eDPI Calculator or Valorant eDPI Calculator to see where you stand, then experiment within the recommended ranges. Remember: consistency matters more than the specific number. Pick an eDPI, stick with it, and let your muscle memory do the work.