CS2 Crosshair Settings: Every Command, Pro Codes, and Best Configs

How the CS2 Crosshair System Works

CS2 gives you two ways to customize your crosshair: the in-game settings menu and console commands. Both methods change the same underlying values, but console commands offer more precision and are easier to save in your autoexec.cfg for permanent storage.

The in-game crosshair menu is found under Settings > Game > Crosshair. It provides sliders and toggles for the most common options and includes a live preview that updates as you change values. This is the easiest way to experiment.

Console commands give you exact numeric control. You can set cl_crosshairsize 1.7 in the console, while the in-game slider might only snap to whole numbers. For competitive players who want pixel-perfect settings, the console is the way to go.

Important: If you set your crosshair via console commands in your autoexec, then later change settings through the in-game menu, the menu values will override your autoexec on the next launch. Pick one method and stick with it. We recommend the autoexec approach for consistency.

Every Crosshair Console Command Explained

Core Crosshair Commands

cl_crosshairstyle - Controls the crosshair behavior.

• 0 = Default. Dynamic crosshair that expands based on movement and shooting.
• 4 = Classic Static. Does not move or expand. The most popular competitive choice.
• 5 = Classic Dynamic. Expands when moving and shooting, similar to 1.6/Source behavior.

Styles 1, 2, and 3 from CSGO are no longer available in CS2. If your old config used those styles, switch to 0, 4, or 5.

cl_crosshairsize - Controls the length of the crosshair lines. Accepts decimal values.

• Range: 0 to 10 (practical range for most players is 1-5)
• Small (1-2): Precise, good for long-range aiming
• Medium (2.5-4): Balanced, easy to see without blocking targets
• Large (4+): Very visible but can obscure heads at distance

cl_crosshairgap - The distance between the center and the start of each crosshair line. Accepts negative values.

• Range: -5 to 5
• Negative values (-1 to -3): Pulls lines tighter toward center, popular for precision
• Zero: Lines start right at the center point
• Positive values: Creates a gap, some players use this with a center dot

cl_crosshairthickness - Width of the crosshair lines.

• Range: 0 to 5 (decimals accepted)
• Thin (0.5-1): Shows more of the target, preferred for tapping and long-range
• Thick (1.5-2.5): Easier to track during spray transfers

cl_crosshairdot - Toggles the center dot.

• 0 = No dot (most common)
• 1 = Dot visible

Some players use a dot-only crosshair by setting cl_crosshairsize 0 and cl_crosshairdot 1. This creates a single pixel at the center of your screen. It requires excellent spatial awareness but provides the clearest view of your target.

cl_crosshairalpha - Crosshair opacity.

• Range: 0 (invisible) to 255 (fully opaque)
• Most players use 200-255. Lowering to 150-180 gives a semi-transparent crosshair that some find less distracting.

cl_crosshairusealpha - Must be set to 1 for the alpha value to work. If set to 0, the crosshair is always fully opaque.

Color Commands

cl_crosshaircolor - Preset crosshair colors.

• 0 = Red
• 1 = Green
• 2 = Yellow
• 3 = Blue
• 4 = Cyan
• 5 = Custom (uses RGB values below)

cl_crosshaircolor_r / cl_crosshaircolor_g / cl_crosshaircolor_b - Custom RGB values when cl_crosshaircolor is set to 5. Each accepts 0-255.

Examples of custom colors:

• Hot Pink: cl_crosshaircolor_r 255; cl_crosshaircolor_g 0; cl_crosshaircolor_b 128
• Orange: cl_crosshaircolor_r 255; cl_crosshaircolor_g 165; cl_crosshaircolor_b 0
• Lime: cl_crosshaircolor_r 128; cl_crosshaircolor_g 255; cl_crosshaircolor_b 0

Outline and Visibility

cl_crosshair_drawoutline - Adds a dark outline around the crosshair lines.

• 0 = No outline
• 1 = Outline enabled

This is one of the most impactful visibility settings. The dark border makes your crosshair readable against both light and dark backgrounds. Highly recommended.

cl_crosshair_outlinethickness - Controls the outline width.

• Range: 0.1 to 3
• Most players use 0.5-1. Too thick and it bloats the crosshair. Too thin and you lose the benefit.

Shape Modifiers

cl_crosshair_t - Creates a T-shaped crosshair by removing the top line.

• 0 = Standard four-line crosshair
• 1 = T-shape (no top line)

Some players prefer the T-shape because the missing top line gives a cleaner view of the enemy head. The tradeoff is slightly less visual reference when tracking vertical movement.

cl_crosshair_sniper_width - Controls the thickness of the sniper scope crosshair lines.

• Range: 1 to 5
• Default is 1. AWP players sometimes increase this to 2 for better visibility when scoped.

Crosshair Follow Recoil

cl_crosshair_friendly_warning - Controls the crosshair warning when aiming at teammates.

• 0 = Off
• 1 = Show on crosshair only
• 2 = Show on crosshair and in HUD (default)

Pro Player Crosshair Codes

CS2 lets you import crosshairs using share codes. These codes contain all crosshair settings in a single string. Here are popular configurations from top professionals:

s1mple

The most decorated CS player of all time uses a clean, small crosshair.

CSGO-aN4eZ-Y9kOD-OxsTK-WjhFp-bRtOL

Settings: Style 4, Size 2, Gap -2, Thickness 0.5, No dot, Green, Outline on

ZywOo

The French star uses a simple static crosshair with tight gap.

CSGO-FcKep-hYnQP-vLXww-xN9sW-tfjMF

Settings: Style 4, Size 1.5, Gap -3, Thickness 0, No dot, Green, No outline

NiKo

Known for his rifling precision, NiKo’s crosshair is compact and clean.

CSGO-sRjo4-bPHKH-cXo9v-E5WYd-3kWQN

Settings: Style 4, Size 1.5, Gap -1, Thickness 0, No dot, Cyan, Outline on

donk

The rising star of Spirit uses a small crosshair with a visible dot.

CSGO-ufvjZ-AhQ4d-uO6Yh-Xbr2E-RVkBP

Settings: Style 4, Size 1, Gap -3, Thickness 0.5, Dot on, Green, No outline

ropz

Known for methodical and precise play, ropz uses a classic small static crosshair.

CSGO-EAhS3-DGzCR-4C3Kq-dZN6K-fRDSE

Settings: Style 4, Size 2, Gap -2, Thickness 0.5, No dot, Green, Outline on

broky

FaZe’s AWPer uses a crosshair optimized for both rifles and the AWP scope.

CSGO-rF5VW-YXVeT-P42bR-DpbOq-3CXAL

Settings: Style 4, Size 2, Gap -2, Thickness 0, No dot, Green, Outline on

How to Import Crosshair Codes

Importing a crosshair code in CS2 takes about 10 seconds:

1. Copy the crosshair code (starts with CSGO-)
2. Open CS2 and go to Settings > Game > Crosshair
3. Click Share or Import at the bottom of the crosshair settings panel
4. Paste the code into the input field
5. Click Import - your crosshair updates immediately

You can also apply a crosshair code through the console:

apply_crosshair_code CSGO-aN4eZ-Y9kOD-OxsTK-WjhFp-bRtOL

To export your current crosshair as a share code, click Share or Import in the settings panel and copy the generated code. Send it to friends or save it as a backup.

Best Crosshair Settings by Playstyle

Your crosshair should match how you play. An entry fragger clearing tight angles needs different settings than an AWPer holding long sightlines.

For Riflers and Entry Fraggers

Entry fraggers need a crosshair that is easy to track during fast peeks and spray transfers. Visibility and speed matter more than pixel-perfect precision.

cl_crosshairstyle 4
cl_crosshairsize 2.5
cl_crosshairgap -1
cl_crosshairthickness 1
cl_crosshairdot 0
cl_crosshaircolor 1
cl_crosshair_drawoutline 1
cl_crosshair_outlinethickness 0.5

Why this works: Medium size is easy to find during fast movement. Slight negative gap keeps it centered. Outline ensures visibility against smoke edges and dark corners. Green provides contrast on most surfaces.

For AWPers

AWP players spend time holding angles, so precision matters more than tracking speed. A smaller crosshair helps place the initial crosshair on the exact pixel you want.

cl_crosshairstyle 4
cl_crosshairsize 1.5
cl_crosshairgap -2
cl_crosshairthickness 0.5
cl_crosshairdot 0
cl_crosshaircolor 4
cl_crosshair_drawoutline 1
cl_crosshair_outlinethickness 0.5
cl_crosshair_sniper_width 2

Why this works: Small and thin for precise angle placement. Cyan color stands out against the muted map textures. Sniper width bumped to 2 for clearer scoped reference lines.

For Support and Utility Players

Support players often throw utility from specific positions where crosshair placement on the map geometry matters for lineup accuracy. If you are learning Mirage smokes or Dust2 smokes, a precise crosshair helps you nail the exact alignment point.

cl_crosshairstyle 4
cl_crosshairsize 2
cl_crosshairgap -1
cl_crosshairthickness 0.5
cl_crosshairdot 1
cl_crosshaircolor 1
cl_crosshair_drawoutline 1
cl_crosshair_outlinethickness 1

Why this works: The center dot gives an exact reference point for lining up grenades against map textures like cracks, edges, and marks. Many lineup guides reference “place your crosshair on X” - a visible dot makes this precise. The outline is slightly thicker for visibility against skyboxes when aiming upward.

Dot-Only Crosshair

Some players prefer a single dot with no crosshair lines at all. This gives the clearest possible view of your target.

cl_crosshairstyle 4
cl_crosshairsize 0
cl_crosshairgap 0
cl_crosshairthickness 0
cl_crosshairdot 1
cl_crosshaircolor 1
cl_crosshair_drawoutline 1
cl_crosshair_outlinethickness 1

Tradeoff: You lose the directional reference lines, making spray control harder to learn. This is best for experienced players who already have recoil patterns memorized.

Static vs Dynamic Crosshair: Which Is Better?

This is one of the most debated settings in CS2. Here is the honest comparison.

Static Crosshair (Style 4)

Pros:

• Provides a constant reference point for crosshair placement
• Does not distract you with visual expansion during fights
• Easier to align for utility lineups (the crosshair stays where you put it)
• Used by the majority of professional players

Cons:

• No visual feedback when your accuracy is reduced (running, jumping)
• New players might not realize they are inaccurate while moving

Dynamic Crosshair (Style 0 or 5)

Pros:

• Gives real-time visual feedback on your accuracy
• Expands when moving, reminds you to counter-strafe before shooting
• Helps new players learn movement mechanics
• Can indicate when spray recovery is complete

Cons:

• The expanding animation can be distracting during clutch moments
• Harder to use as a lineup reference because it moves
• May develop a subconscious habit of waiting for the crosshair to settle instead of trusting your timing

Our Recommendation

Start with dynamic (style 0) if you are brand new to CS2. The visual feedback teaches you when you are accurate and when you are not. Once you understand counter-strafing and spray patterns, switch to static (style 4). Static crosshairs are better for long-term development because they force you to internalize accuracy mechanics rather than relying on visual cues.

For practicing utility lineups specifically, always use static. You need your crosshair to sit exactly where you placed it when lining up a smoke against a wall crack or antenna tip.

Crosshair Color: What Works Best

Color choice is not just cosmetic. The wrong color can disappear against certain map textures, costing you fights.

Green (cl_crosshaircolor 1)

The most popular choice for good reason. Green provides strong contrast against the brown, gray, and blue tones found on most CS2 maps. It stands out on Dust2, Mirage, Inferno, and most other active duty maps.

Downside: Can blend into foliage on Ancient and parts of Overpass.

Cyan (cl_crosshaircolor 4)

The second most popular choice among pros. Cyan (light blue) offers excellent contrast against the warm-toned surfaces of Dust2, Mirage, and Inferno. It also stands out well against dark interiors and smoke edges.

Downside: Can be harder to see against the sky when aiming upward for utility lineups.

Yellow (cl_crosshaircolor 2)

High visibility on dark surfaces and in shadowed areas. Works well on Nuke (lots of dark interiors) and Vertigo.

Downside: Can get lost against sandy textures on Dust2 and parts of Anubis.

White (Custom RGB: 255, 255, 255)

Maximum brightness ensures the crosshair is always visible. Pairs well with a dark outline for contrast.

Downside: Can cause eye strain during long sessions. Blends into bright skyboxes and light-colored walls.

Red (cl_crosshaircolor 0)

Visually striking but problematic in practice. Red blends with enemy player models (both T and CT can have red-toned skins) and with the red damage indicator.

Our pick: Green with outline enabled is the safest all-around choice. If you play a lot of Ancient or maps with greenery, switch to cyan.

Tips for Finding Your Perfect Crosshair

1. Start with a pro crosshair - Pick one from the codes above and play 5-10 games with it. Do not change it during this period. Your brain needs time to calibrate.

2. Adjust one thing at a time - If something feels off, change only one setting per session. If you change size, gap, and color all at once, you will not know which change helped.

3. Test on the maps you play - Load into a private server on your main maps and walk through common angles. Check that your crosshair is visible against every surface. Our smoke practice guide has the commands to set up a private server quickly.

4. Crosshair placement matters more than crosshair settings - The best crosshair in the world will not help if it is aimed at the ground. Focus on keeping your crosshair at head level and pre-aimed at common angles. This is especially important for Inferno smokes and Ancient smokes where angles are tight and reaction time is everything.

5. Save your crosshair code - Once you find settings you like, export the share code and save it somewhere. Put the console commands in your autoexec.cfg so they persist through updates.

6. Do not change your crosshair after a bad game - Changing settings because you are tilted leads to an endless cycle of switching. Pick something reasonable and commit to it for at least a week.

Quick Reference: All Crosshair Commands

Command	Range	Default	Description
cl_crosshairstyle	0, 4, 5	0	Crosshair behavior type
cl_crosshairsize	0-10	2.5	Line length
cl_crosshairgap	-5 to 5	0	Gap from center
cl_crosshairthickness	0-5	1	Line width
cl_crosshairdot	0-1	0	Center dot toggle
cl_crosshairalpha	0-255	200	Opacity
cl_crosshairusealpha	0-1	1	Use custom alpha
cl_crosshaircolor	0-5	1	Color preset
cl_crosshaircolor_r	0-255	50	Custom red value
cl_crosshaircolor_g	0-255	250	Custom green value
cl_crosshaircolor_b	0-255	50	Custom blue value
cl_crosshair_drawoutline	0-1	0	Outline toggle
cl_crosshair_outlinethickness	0.1-3	1	Outline width
cl_crosshair_t	0-1	0	T-shape toggle
cl_crosshair_sniper_width	1-5	1	Sniper scope line width
cl_crosshair_friendly_warning	0-2	2	Teammate warning

FAQ

Does your crosshair actually affect your aim?

Not directly - your crosshair does not change bullet accuracy or weapon mechanics. However, it has a significant indirect effect on your performance. A crosshair that is too large can obscure enemy heads at long range, making it harder to land precise shots. A crosshair that blends into the background can cause you to lose track of your aim point during fast peeks. The right crosshair helps you maintain consistent crosshair placement, which is one of the most important skills in CS2. Think of it as a reference tool: the better your reference point, the easier it is to place it correctly.

What crosshair do most pro CS2 players use?

The vast majority of professional CS2 players use a small, static crosshair (style 4) in green with an outline enabled. Typical settings are a size between 1.5 and 2.5, a gap between -1 and -3, thickness of 0.5 to 1, no center dot, and cl_crosshair_drawoutline 1. Green is the most popular color because it provides strong contrast against the brown and gray surfaces found on most competitive maps. There is no single “best” pro crosshair, but nearly all of them share the same characteristics: small, static, and high-contrast.

Can you get banned for using crosshair console commands?

No. All crosshair commands in CS2 are official console commands provided by Valve. They are part of the base game and are intended to be customized. You cannot receive a VAC ban or any other penalty for changing your crosshair settings through the console, through an autoexec.cfg file, or through the in-game settings menu. The same applies to crosshair share codes - importing a code from another player is a built-in feature and completely safe.

How do you reset your crosshair to the CS2 default?

The fastest way is to open Settings > Game > Crosshair in the CS2 menu and click the reset button to restore default values. If you prefer console commands, enter these to get back to the stock crosshair: cl_crosshairstyle 0; cl_crosshairsize 2.5; cl_crosshairgap 0; cl_crosshairthickness 1; cl_crosshairdot 0; cl_crosshaircolor 1; cl_crosshairalpha 200; cl_crosshair_drawoutline 0; cl_crosshair_t 0. If your crosshair was set by an autoexec.cfg file, you will also need to remove or comment out the crosshair commands in that file, otherwise they will override the defaults on your next launch.