DPI, eDPI, and Sensitivity Explained: A Complete Guide

DPI, sensitivity, eDPI — these terms get thrown around constantly in the gaming community, but many players don't fully understand what they mean or how to optimize them.

What Is DPI?

DPI (Dots Per Inch) is how sensitive your mouse hardware is. At 800 DPI, moving your mouse one inch moves the cursor 800 pixels. Most pros use 400 or 800 DPI — this is purely preference, as you can achieve identical in-game sensitivity at any DPI by adjusting the in-game slider.

What Is eDPI?

eDPI (effective DPI) = Mouse DPI × In-game Sensitivity. This is the number that actually matters for comparing settings between players. A player at 400 DPI with 2.0 sensitivity has 800 eDPI — identical to a player at 800 DPI with 1.0 sensitivity.

What eDPI Should You Use?

It depends on the game. CS2 pros average around 850 eDPI. Valorant pros average about 280 eDPI (Valorant uses a different sensitivity scale). Fortnite pros tend to run much higher. The general rule: lower eDPI = more precision for headshots, higher eDPI = faster turning for movement-heavy games.

The 400 vs 800 DPI Debate

There's a persistent myth that 400 DPI is 'more precise.' Technically, 800 or 1600 DPI with a lower in-game sensitivity gives you sub-pixel precision in desktop use. But in-game, both are identical at the same eDPI. Use whichever feels comfortable for desktop navigation.