eDPI and Mouse Sensitivity Guide - Master Your Gaming Aim

What is eDPI?

eDPI stands for effective Dots Per Inch, and it's the universal measurement that combines your mouse's hardware DPI setting with your in-game sensitivity to create a single, comparable number. This standardized metric allows gamers to accurately compare and transfer sensitivity settings across different games, mice, and setups.

The eDPI Formula

eDPI = Mouse DPI × In-Game Sensitivity

Why does eDPI matter? Consider this scenario: Player A uses 400 DPI with 2.0 in-game sensitivity, while Player B uses 800 DPI with 1.0 sensitivity. Despite having completely different settings, both players have an identical eDPI of 800, meaning their crosshairs move the exact same distance for the same mouse movement.

Understanding eDPI is crucial because it eliminates the confusion caused by different DPI settings and allows you to:

Compare your sensitivity directly with professional players
Transfer your exact sensitivity when switching games
Maintain consistent muscle memory across your gaming library
Communicate sensitivity settings clearly with other players
Troubleshoot aiming issues by establishing a baseline

DPI vs In-Game Sensitivity: Understanding the Difference

What is DPI?

DPI (Dots Per Inch) is a hardware specification of your mouse that determines how many pixels your cursor moves for every physical inch you move your mouse. A mouse set to 800 DPI will move the cursor 800 pixels when you move the mouse one inch across your mousepad.

Common DPI Settings

DPI Level	Typical Use Case	Precision Level
400 DPI	Competitive FPS (CS2, Valorant)	Maximum precision
800 DPI	Most popular FPS setting	High precision
1600 DPI	Balanced gaming/desktop use	Medium precision
3200+ DPI	High-resolution displays, MOBA games	Lower precision per movement

What is In-Game Sensitivity?

In-game sensitivity is a multiplier applied by the game engine to your mouse input. This setting controls how much your in-game camera or crosshair rotates based on your mouse movement. Each game has its own sensitivity scale, which is why the same sensitivity number feels different across games.

Which Should You Adjust?

The gaming community generally recommends keeping your DPI at a fixed value (400 or 800 being most popular) and adjusting your in-game sensitivity to achieve your desired eDPI. Here's why:

Consistency: A fixed DPI means your Windows cursor speed and desktop navigation remain constant
Lower DPI reduces noise: Some argue that lower DPI settings reduce sensor noise, though modern sensors handle high DPI well
Easier calculations: Using round DPI numbers (400, 800) makes eDPI math simpler
Muscle memory: Consistent DPI helps maintain muscle memory across all applications

Pro Tip

Most professional players use either 400 or 800 DPI. While the choice between them is largely preference, 800 DPI has become slightly more popular as it provides smoother desktop navigation without sacrificing in-game precision.

Calculating Your eDPI

Calculating eDPI is straightforward multiplication, but understanding the practical implications helps you make better decisions about your settings.

Basic Calculation Examples

400 DPI × 2.5 sensitivity = 1000 eDPI

800 DPI × 1.0 sensitivity = 800 eDPI

1600 DPI × 0.5 sensitivity = 800 eDPI

800 DPI × 0.35 sensitivity = 280 eDPI

Converting to cm/360°

Another popular way to measure sensitivity is cm/360° (or inches/360°), which tells you how far you need to move your mouse to complete a full 360-degree turn in-game. This measurement is particularly useful because it's independent of any DPI or sensitivity numbers.

cm/360° Formula

cm/360° = (360 × 2.54) ÷ (DPI × Sensitivity × Yaw)

Where Yaw is typically 0.022 for Source engine games (CS2, Valorant)

For quick reference, here's how eDPI translates to cm/360° in games using the standard 0.022 yaw value:

eDPI	cm/360°	Category
200	~207 cm	Extremely low
400	~104 cm	Very low
800	~52 cm	Low (common for pros)
1200	~35 cm	Medium
1600	~26 cm	High

70-100

Fortnite's building mechanics often require higher sensitivity for rapid 90s and edit plays.

Pro Player Settings Analysis

Analyzing professional player settings can provide valuable insight, but it's important to understand the context. Pro players have spent thousands of hours developing muscle memory for their specific sensitivity—what works for them may not work for you.

CS2 Professional Players

Player	DPI	Sensitivity	eDPI
s1mple	400	3.09	1236
ZywOo	400	2.0	800
NiKo	400	1.55	620
device	400	1.9	760
ropz	400	1.77	708

Valorant Professional Players

Player	DPI	Sensitivity	eDPI
TenZ	800	0.4	320
Aspas	800	0.35	280
yay	800	0.27	216
Chronicle	400	0.7	280
Demon1	800	0.3	240

Key Insight

Notice the variance in pro settings—s1mple uses nearly twice the eDPI of NiKo, yet both are considered among the best aimers in the world. This demonstrates that there's no single "correct" sensitivity; it's about finding what allows YOU to be consistent.

Finding Your Perfect Sensitivity

Finding your ideal sensitivity is a personal journey that requires experimentation and patience. Here's a systematic approach that many players have found successful:

The PSA Method (Perfect Sensitivity Approximation)

Start with a baseline: Set your eDPI to the average pro range for your game (e.g., 800 eDPI for CS2, 280 for Valorant).
Test for comfort: Can you comfortably do a 180-degree turn without running out of mousepad? If not, increase sensitivity.
Test for precision: Can you make small, precise adjustments for headshots? If not, decrease sensitivity.
Binary search: If unsure whether to go higher or lower, try a significant change (±25%) to clearly feel the difference.
Commit and practice: Once you find a comfortable range, stick with it for at least 2 weeks before making adjustments.

The Flick Test

A practical way to evaluate your sensitivity:

Load an aim trainer or deathmatch server
Pick a spot on the wall and stare at it
Quickly flick to a target and back to your original spot
Evaluate: Are you consistently overshooting (sensitivity too high) or undershooting (too low)?
Adjust by 5-10% and repeat until flicks land naturally

Physical Considerations

Your physical setup significantly impacts your optimal sensitivity:

Mousepad size: Larger pads allow for lower sensitivity; if you have limited space, you may need higher sens
Arm vs wrist aiming: Arm aimers typically prefer lower sensitivity; wrist aimers often use higher
Desk space: Ensure you have enough room for your full range of motion
Chair height: Your arm should rest comfortably at desk level
Previous experience: If you've gamed for years at a certain sens, drastic changes require significant adjustment time

Converting Sensitivity Between Games

Different games use different sensitivity scales, so you can't simply copy your sensitivity number from one game to another. The key is to convert based on eDPI or cm/360° to maintain the same physical mouse movement.

Game Sensitivity Multipliers

Here are conversion factors relative to CS2 (using CS2 as 1.0 baseline):

Game	Multiplier	Example (CS2 sens 2.0 =)
CS2	1.0	2.0
Valorant	0.314	0.628
Apex Legends	1.0	2.0
Overwatch 2	3.18	6.36
Call of Duty	1.33	2.66
Fortnite	~3.5	7% X/Y

Conversion Formula

New Sensitivity = (Old Sensitivity × Old Game Multiplier) ÷ New Game Multiplier

Practical Conversion Example

Let's say you play CS2 at 800 DPI with 1.0 sensitivity (eDPI 800) and want the same feel in Valorant:

CS2 sensitivity: 1.0 (at 800 DPI)
CS2 to Valorant multiplier: 0.314
Valorant sensitivity = 1.0 × 0.314 = 0.314
Your Valorant eDPI = 800 × 0.314 = 251.2

Common Sensitivity Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Changing Sensitivity Too Often

Every sensitivity change resets your muscle memory. Commit to a sensitivity for at least 2-3 weeks before deciding it doesn't work. Your initial discomfort is often just unfamiliarity, not a bad sensitivity choice.

❌ Copying Pro Settings Exactly

Pro players have unique physical attributes, playing styles, and thousands of hours of muscle memory. Use their settings as a starting point, not a final destination. Your ideal sensitivity depends on YOUR physiology and preferences.

❌ Ignoring Physical Limitations

If your mousepad is 30cm wide, using a sensitivity that requires 50cm for a 360° turn will cause problems. Your sensitivity must work within your physical setup constraints.

❌ Blaming Sensitivity for Bad Aim Days

Everyone has off days. If your aim feels bad, resist the urge to immediately change sensitivity. Sleep, stress, and fatigue affect aim more than most realize. Give it a day or two before making adjustments.

❌ Using Different Sensitivities Per Game

While not always avoidable, using drastically different sensitivities across games can harm your overall muscle memory. Try to maintain similar cm/360° values across your gaming library when possible.

Best Practices Summary

Choose a DPI (400 or 800 recommended) and stick with it
Start with average pro eDPI for your game as a baseline
Adjust based on personal comfort and playstyle
Commit to a sensitivity for at least 2 weeks
Use the same cm/360° across all your games
Focus on practice and consistency over finding the "perfect" sensitivity