What is eDPI?
eDPI stands for "effective DPI" (also sometimes called "true sensitivity"). It is a single number that combines your mouse's hardware DPI setting with your in-game sensitivity value to give you a universal measure of how fast your cursor or crosshair moves in a game.
The concept is important because two players can have very different DPI and sensitivity settings but end up with the exact same crosshair speed. For example, a player using 400 DPI with 2.0 sensitivity has the same eDPI as a player using 800 DPI with 1.0 sensitivity -- both result in an eDPI of 800.
eDPI provides a standardized way to compare sensitivity settings between players within the same game, regardless of their individual DPI and sensitivity combinations. Professional players and community guides typically reference eDPI values when sharing settings because it eliminates the ambiguity of listing DPI and sensitivity separately.
However, it is important to note that eDPI values are only directly comparable within the same game. A Valorant eDPI of 280 is not the same speed as a CS2 eDPI of 280 because the two games use different yaw values. For cross-game comparison, you need to use the cm/360 metric, which our calculator also provides. You can also use our Sensitivity Converter to translate settings between games.
How to Calculate eDPI
The eDPI formula is straightforward:
eDPI = Mouse DPI × In-Game Sensitivity
Here is how to find each value:
Finding Your Mouse DPI
Your mouse DPI is set through your mouse's software or hardware. Common places to find it include:
- Mouse software: Programs like Logitech G HUB, Razer Synapse, SteelSeries GG, or Corsair iCUE display and control your DPI setting
- Mouse buttons: Many gaming mice have a DPI button on the top or bottom that cycles through preset DPI levels
- Default values: If you have never changed your DPI, common defaults are 800 or 1000 DPI depending on the manufacturer
Finding Your In-Game Sensitivity
Open your game and navigate to the settings menu. Look for the mouse sensitivity, aim sensitivity, or similar setting. In most FPS games, this is found under "Controls," "Mouse," or "Input" settings. Use the exact numerical value shown.
Calculation Examples
- Valorant: 800 DPI × 0.35 sensitivity = 280 eDPI
- CS2: 400 DPI × 2.0 sensitivity = 800 eDPI
- Apex Legends: 800 DPI × 1.5 sensitivity = 1200 eDPI
- Overwatch 2: 1600 DPI × 3.5 sensitivity = 5600 eDPI
Understanding cm/360
Our calculator also provides your cm/360 value, which represents the physical distance (in centimeters) you need to move your mouse to complete a full 360-degree rotation in the game. The formula is:
cm/360 = (360 / (DPI × Yaw × Sensitivity)) × 2.54
A lower cm/360 means a faster, more twitchy sensitivity. A higher cm/360 means slower, more precise mouse movement. Most competitive FPS players use cm/360 values between 25 and 55 cm.
eDPI Ranges for Popular Games
Different games have different sensitivity scales, so eDPI ranges that are considered "low," "medium," or "high" vary between titles. Here are the typical ranges used by competitive players:
Valorant eDPI Ranges
Valorant uses a yaw value of 0.07, which means sensitivity values are relatively low compared to other games.
| Classification | eDPI Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Very Low | Below 200 | Requires a very large mousepad. Uncommon but used by some arm-aimers. |
| Low | 200 - 320 | Most common among professional players. Excellent for precise micro-adjustments. |
| Medium | 320 - 500 | Balanced between speed and precision. Good for hybrid aim styles. |
| High | 500 - 800 | Faster movements with less physical effort. Common in wrist-aiming playstyles. |
| Very High | Above 800 | Very fast and twitchy. Rare in competitive play. |
The average professional Valorant player uses an eDPI around 250-320, with 800 DPI and 0.3-0.4 sensitivity being the most common combination.
CS2 eDPI Ranges
CS2 uses a yaw value of 0.022, resulting in higher numerical eDPI values compared to Valorant for the same physical sensitivity.
| Classification | eDPI Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Very Low | Below 600 | Extremely slow. Needs large mousepad and strong arm aim. |
| Low | 600 - 1000 | Common among professional CS2 players. Great for precision. |
| Medium | 1000 - 1600 | Balanced sensitivity suitable for most playstyles. |
| High | 1600 - 2400 | Faster aim. Good for aggressive playstyles and wrist-aimers. |
| Very High | Above 2400 | Very fast. Uncommon in competitive play. |
The average professional CS2 player uses an eDPI around 800-1000, with 400 DPI and 2.0 sensitivity being a classic and popular combination.
Why eDPI Matters for Gaming
Understanding and optimizing your eDPI is one of the most impactful things you can do to improve your gaming performance. Here is why it matters:
1. Standardized Comparison
Without eDPI, comparing sensitivity settings between players is meaningless. Someone saying "I use 1.5 sensitivity" tells you nothing unless you also know their DPI. eDPI combines both values into a single number that anyone can compare and replicate.
2. Consistency Across Hardware
If you change mice, switch DPI settings, or get a new gaming setup, knowing your eDPI lets you quickly recreate the exact same sensitivity by adjusting the in-game value. For example, if you switch from 800 DPI to 1600 DPI, you simply halve your in-game sensitivity to maintain the same eDPI.
3. Performance Optimization
Research and data from professional gaming show that most top-tier players in FPS games use eDPI values within certain optimal ranges. Knowing where your eDPI falls relative to these ranges helps you understand whether your sensitivity might be too high or too low for competitive play.
4. Aim Training Baseline
Aim trainers and coaching resources almost always reference eDPI when providing guidance. Having your eDPI calculated gives you a baseline to work from when using aim training software or following professional player guides.
5. Troubleshooting Aim Issues
If your aim feels inconsistent or you are struggling to hit targets, checking your eDPI can help identify if your sensitivity is contributing to the problem. An eDPI that is too high causes overshooting, while one that is too low can make it difficult to track fast-moving targets.
Tips for Finding Your Optimal eDPI
Finding the perfect eDPI is a personal journey that depends on your playstyle, the games you play, and your physical setup. Here are practical tips to help you dial in your ideal sensitivity:
1. Start With the Pro Average
Look up what professional players use in your game as a starting point. For Valorant, start around 280 eDPI. For CS2, try around 850 eDPI. You can adjust from there based on comfort.
2. Consider Your Mousepad Size
Lower eDPI requires more physical space. If you have a small mousepad (under 30 cm wide), you may need a higher eDPI to avoid running out of space during intense moments. Most competitive players use large mousepads (40 cm or wider) specifically to enable lower sensitivity settings.
3. Match Your Aim Style
- Arm aimers: Move the entire arm for large adjustments and use wrist for fine-tuning. Typically prefer lower eDPI values for maximum precision.
- Wrist aimers: Rely primarily on wrist movement. Usually need higher eDPI since their range of motion is more limited.
- Hybrid aimers: Use a combination of arm and wrist. Medium eDPI values work best for this balanced approach.
4. Do the 360-Degree Test
A practical way to evaluate your sensitivity is the 360-degree test. Place your mouse at one edge of your mousepad and swipe to the other edge. Ideally, this should result in approximately a 180-degree to 270-degree turn in game. If you can do a full 360 or more with one swipe, your sensitivity might be too high for precise aiming.
5. Use Aim Trainers
Aim training programs can help you test different eDPI values objectively. Track your accuracy scores at different sensitivity levels over several sessions to identify which eDPI gives you the best performance. Make changes in small increments (10-20% at a time) rather than dramatic shifts.
6. Give It Time
After changing your eDPI, give yourself at least 3-5 days to adapt before making another adjustment. Your muscle memory needs time to recalibrate. Constantly changing settings will prevent you from building the consistency needed for improvement.
7. Consider Using Raw Accel
Once you have found your base eDPI, you can use Raw Accel to add intelligent acceleration on top of it. This gives you the precision of a low eDPI for small aiming movements while allowing faster turns for large swipes. Download Raw Accel to get started.
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