How to Change Crosshair in CS2: Settings, Codes & Pro Tips

TL;DR (fast answer)

1. Settings → Game → Crosshair
   
2. Tweak style, size, thickness, gap, color, outline
   
3. Click “Share or Import” to paste a crosshair code (they look like CSGO-…)
   
4. (Optional) Use the console for precise commands
   
5. (Optional) Save everything in an autoexec.cfg so it loads every time
   

---

Why your CS2 crosshair matters

Your crosshair is your aiming reference. A good one is visible in all map lighting, small enough for precision, and stable under pressure. You don’t need what a pro uses; you need what you can track instantly on every map and angle.

Tip: Avoid colors that blend with map palettes. On sandy maps (e.g., Dust II, Mirage, Anubis) a yellow crosshair can vanish against walls. Consider green, cyan, white, or custom RGB.

---

Method 1 — Change crosshair using CS2 Settings (the easy way)

Path:
Settings (gear icon) → Game (tab at top) → Crosshair

What to change (and why):

• Style
  
  • Classic Static (4): Doesn’t move; most consistent for aim training and headshots.
    
  • Classic Dynamic (2): Expands when you move/shoot (teaches inaccuracy).
    
  • Classic Hybrid (5): Expands only when shooting (not when moving).
    
• Center Dot: Add/remove a dot (great for tapping at long range).
  
• Size / Thickness: Keep small to medium so targets aren’t obscured.
  
• Gap: Controls the space in the middle; small gaps are common for precision.
  
• Outline & Outline Thickness: A thin black outline keeps the crosshair readable on bright surfaces.
  
• Color: Use preset or custom RGB. Pick something with high contrast across maps.
  
• T-Style: Removes the top arm; improves head visibility on larger crosshairs.
  
• Follow Recoil: On = crosshair follows spray path (good for practice); Off = traditional static look.
  

Import / Export a crosshair code:

1. Go to Settings → Game → Crosshair
   
2. In the preview, click “Share or Import”
   
3. Paste a crosshair code (they typically start with CSGO-) → Import
   
4. Use “Share” to copy your code for backup or to share with friends
   

---

Method 2 — Change crosshair with console commands (precise & fast)

Enable the console: Settings → Game → Enable Developer Console = Yes → press ~ in-game.

Common commands (paste one per line or chain them with ;):

• Style
  
  • cl_crosshairstyle 4 // Classic Static
    
  • cl_crosshairstyle 2 // Classic Dynamic
    
  • cl_crosshairstyle 5 // Classic Hybrid
    
• Shape & visibility
  
  • cl_crosshairsize 2.5 // line length
    
  • cl_crosshairthickness 1 // line/dot thickness
    
  • cl_crosshairgap -2 // inner gap (smaller = tighter)
    
  • cl_crosshair_drawoutline 1 // 0/1 outline
    
  • cl_crosshair_outlinethickness 1 // 0.1–3
    
  • cl_crosshairdot 0 // 0/1 center dot
    
  • cl_crosshair_t 0 // 0/1 remove top arm
    
  • cl_crosshairalpha 255 // transparency (low = faint)
    
  • cl_crosshaircolor 5 // preset colors (0–4) or set custom RGB:
    
    • cl_crosshaircolor_r 0
      
    • cl_crosshaircolor_g 255
      
    • cl_crosshaircolor_b 170
      
• Dynamic behavior (if using style 2 or 5):
  cl_crosshair_dynamic_splitdist 7
  cl_crosshair_dynamic_splitalpha_innermod 1
  cl_crosshair_dynamic_splitalpha_outermod 0.5
  
• Sniper scope line thickness:
  cl_crosshair_sniper_width 1
  
• Friendly warning indicator:
  cl_crosshair_friendly_warning 1
  
• Follow Recoil (toggle example):
  bind alt toggle cl_crosshair_recoil true false
  

Quick dot crosshair example

cl_crosshairstyle 4; cl_crosshairsize 0; cl_crosshairdot 1; cl_crosshairthickness 1; cl_crosshair_drawoutline 0; cl_crosshaircolor 5

(Change thickness to taste, e.g., 0.8–1.5)

---

Method 3 — Save your crosshair in an autoexec (so it loads every launch)

1. Create a text file named autoexec.cfg
   
2. Paste your favorite crosshair commands (one per line)
   
3. Put it in one of the standard CS2 cfg locations (Windows examples):
   
   • User-specific: …\Steam\userdata\<yourSteamID>\730\local\cfg\
     
   • Game folder: …\Steam\steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Global Offensive\game\csgo\cfg\
     
4. In Steam → Library → Counter-Strike 2 → Properties → Launch Options, add:
   +exec autoexec.cfg
   
5. In-game, you can reload any time with:
   exec autoexec
   

Pro tip: Keep two presets in separate files (e.g., xhair_tap.cfg and xhair_spray.cfg) and bind a toggle:

bind “mouse5” “exec xhair_tap.cfg”

bind “mouse4” “exec xhair_spray.cfg”

---

Choose a crosshair that fits your aim style

If you mostly tap/burst (AK headshots, pistol duels)

• Small static crosshair (style 4), no dot or a tiny dot
  
• Tight gap (–3 to –1), thin (0.5–1.0)
  
• Consider T-Style ON if you run a larger crosshair but want a clear view of heads
  

If you mostly spray/entry

• Static or Hybrid (4 or 5)
  
• Slightly larger gap (–1 to +1) and thicker (1.0–1.5) for tracking
  
• Try Follow Recoil ON for practice, then OFF in matches if it distracts you
  

If you AWP a lot (but rifle often)

• Keep your rifle crosshair small/static
  
• Set cl_crosshair_sniper_width to a comfortable value (1–2)
  

---

Make it visible on every map

• Avoid colors that match your common backgrounds. Cyan/green/white tend to pop on most maps.
  
• Keep an outline (cl_crosshair_drawoutline 1) to survive bright skyboxes and flash transitions.
  
• Test your crosshair on maps you actually queue (quick sandbox in Deathmatch works great).
  

While you’re optimizing maps and callouts, grab these for targeted practice:
Mirage • Overpass • Inferno • Dust 2 • Anubis • Nuke • Vertigo
Broader guides: CS2 Maps • CS2 Ranks

---

Dot crosshair in CS2 (when and how)

Why use it: maximal precision for long-range tapping and AWP hip-precision (pre-scope micro-adjusts).
Downside: can be hard to see in motion and on certain surfaces if too small or low-contrast.

Safe starter dot:

cl_crosshairstyle 4

cl_crosshairsize 0

cl_crosshairdot 1

cl_crosshairthickness 1

cl_crosshair_drawoutline 1

cl_crosshair_outlinethickness 1

cl_crosshaircolor 5      // cyan (or use custom RGB)

If the dot feels too big, try cl_crosshairthickness 0.7–0.9.

---

Try a pro’s crosshair (then tweak it for you)

Importing a pro’s share code is a great starting point—but always adjust for your monitor, resolution, and comfort. After you experiment, check out our pro settings write-ups for quick imports and full configs:

• s1mple CS2 settings • m0NESY • donk • NiKo • ZywOo
  
• ropz • b1t • Stewie2K • FalleN • shroud • kennyS
  
• YEKINDAR • Aleksib • snax • device • jL • d0cc
  
• EliGE • rain • magixx • sh1ro • woxic
  

---

Troubleshooting (real fixes to common pain points)

“My crosshair won’t change or keeps resetting.”

• Make sure you’re editing the current profile and not a view-only preview.
  
• If using autoexec, confirm the file is in a valid cfg location and add +exec autoexec.cfg to Launch Options.
  
• End your autoexec with host_writeconfig if your settings aren’t sticking after quit.
  

“My crosshair disappears sometimes.”

• Check cl_crosshairalpha (keep it high, like 200–255).
  
• Turn on cl_crosshair_drawoutline 1 (with cl_crosshair_outlinethickness 1).
  
• If using a dot, increase cl_crosshairthickness slightly.
  

“It’s too big/too small on certain maps.”

• Adjust gap and thickness; avoid extremes.
  
• Use T-Style to open headspace if you run thicker lines.
  
• Switch to a higher-contrast color for the maps you play most.
  

“Should I keep Follow Recoil on?”

• Use it to learn recoil and spray control; many competitive players prefer OFF during matches to keep a predictable, static aim point.
  

---

Bonus: quick presets you can paste

Clean static (rifling/tapping)

cl_crosshairstyle 4; cl_crosshairsize 2; cl_crosshairthickness 0.9; cl_crosshairgap -2; cl_crosshair_drawoutline 1; cl_crosshair_outlinethickness 1; cl_crosshairdot 0; cl_crosshaircolor 5

Hybrid spray helper (practice)

cl_crosshairstyle 5; cl_crosshairsize 3; cl_crosshairthickness 1.2; cl_crosshairgap -1; cl_crosshair_drawoutline 1; cl_crosshair_outlinethickness 1.2; cl_crosshairdot 0; cl_crosshaircolor 2; cl_crosshair_recoil 1

High-visibility (for dark monitors)

cl_crosshairstyle 4; cl_crosshairsize 3; cl_crosshairthickness 1.3; cl_crosshairgap -1; cl_crosshair_drawoutline 1; cl_crosshair_outlinethickness 1.5; cl_crosshairdot 0; cl_crosshaircolor 1

---

Pro workflow to iterate faster

• Use a crashz’ Crosshair Generator v4 map to try and preview new crosshairs instantly.
  
• Keep two to three saved presets (tap/spray/AWP).
  
• Test in Deathmatch and on the maps you actually queue.
  
• Save your final pick into autoexec.cfg so it’s consistent on every PC.