Your crosshair is the single piece of UI you look at every second in CS2. This guide covers how the settings work, how to import pro crosshair codes, and how to pick a style that matches how you aim.
How CS2 Crosshairs Work
CS2 builds your crosshair from a handful of console commands prefixed with [c]cl_crosshair[/c]. You do not need to type them by hand. The in-game crosshair editor exposes every setting as a slider or toggle.
The core shape comes from four values:
- [c]cl_crosshairsize[/c] controls how long each of the four lines is.
- [c]cl_crosshairthickness[/c] sets how thick the lines are.
- [c]cl_crosshairgap[/c] determines the space between the center and where each line starts. Negative values pull the lines inward.
- [c]cl_crosshairdot[/c] adds a single dot in the middle.
Importing Crosshair Codes
CS2 share codes are strings in the format [c]CSGO-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX[/c] that encode every crosshair setting at once.
To import one:
- Open Settings and go to the Game tab, then Crosshair.
- Click the share icon next to the crosshair preview window.
- Paste the code into the pop-up field and click Import.
- The preview updates instantly. Close settings and you are done.
With the developer console enabled, you can also run [c]apply_crosshair_code CSGO-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX[/c] and the crosshair applies immediately.
Pro Crosshair Codes Worth Trying
These codes come from professional players and cover different styles:
- donk (Team Spirit, Rifler): [c]CSGO-P4yuH-FPFL8-2xD9G-n4qUn-QT43L[/c]. A tiny cyan cross with a wide -4 gap.
- ZywOo (Team Vitality, AWPer): [c]CSGO-nCfX7-54ue9-aC5eV-6Womf-Q6izO[/c]. A hairline cross with 0.1 thickness.
- NiKo (Falcons Esports, Rifler): [c]CSGO-p6EjX-NnfrY-ea7EX-evBaL-HOkTL[/c]. Small green cross, -4 gap, no dot.
- m0NESY (Falcons Esports, AWPer): [c]CSGO-kNweN-Y49Xt-wFjGv-CeNoB-JG8nM[/c]. Compact cyan setup.
- s1mple (BC.Game): [c]CSGO-Szdm6-DMpG7-tQ33i-c6YTS-o2OtQ[/c]. Dot-first hybrid with faint arms.
- device (100 Thieves, AWPer): [c]CSGO-3xJLZ-XJ4NS-UpanM-yfUdf-9ApEM[/c]. Slightly larger for tracking between shots.
Static or Dynamic?
Static crosshairs (style 4) stay the same size whether you are standing, running, or spraying. They teach better habits because they do not hide inaccuracy from you.
Dynamic crosshairs (styles 2 and 3) expand when you move, jump, or fire. That constant feedback helps newer players internalize CS2 movement accuracy rules. Run a dynamic style for a couple of weeks as a training aid, then switch to static before the expansion becomes visual noise.
If you tap more than you spray, try a small static cross with no dot. If you spray often, keep at least minimal arms for a peripheral reference.
Color and Visibility
[c]cl_crosshaircolor[/c] picks a preset: 0 red, 1 green, 2 yellow, 3 blue, 4 cyan. Set it to 5 for a fully custom color through [c]cl_crosshaircolor_r[/c], [c]cl_crosshaircolor_g[/c], and [c]cl_crosshaircolor_b[/c].
Cyan is the most popular choice because it stands out against almost all backgrounds. Green and yellow are also common. Red and dark blue can be harder to see in dark areas of maps.
Turn on an outline with [c]cl_crosshair_drawoutline[/c] and set its thickness with [c]cl_crosshair_outlinethickness[/c] (0 to 3, in half steps). A thin outline of around 1 helps the crosshair stay visible on bright or busy backgrounds.
FAQ
What is the best crosshair for beginners?
Start with a small static cross (style 4, size 1 to 1.5, gap -3 or tighter). It obscures nothing and teaches consistent placement.
Should I use a dot?
A pure dot is a strict placement teacher, but it removes the peripheral reference for spray control. If you tap, try the dot. If you spray, keep minimal arms.
Why does my crosshair look different from the pro code?
Resolution and aspect ratio change how large the crosshair appears. A 4:3 stretched code looks bigger on 16:9.
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