Mouse CPI: Everything You Need To Know

See full bio

Ali Rashid Khan

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

See full bio

Mouse is a very crucial battlefield weapon for any gamer. Either you can ace all your headshots or bottle all your wins, depending on your mouse. To pick the best mouse that suits your gameplay, you have to be aware of metrics that decide the performance of a mouse. One such key metric that decides the mouse’s performance is its CPI. In this article, I will take you through a complete overview of mouse CPI and how important it is. So, without further ado, let us explore mouse CPI.

Also Read: Best Mouse For CS:GO

Key Takeaways

• Counts Per Inch (CPI) is the measure of steps or counts registered by the mouse sensor per inch as it is moved physically.
• CPI and DPI almost refer to the same thing. The choice of CPI or DPI depends on the perspective you view it from, i.e., the sensor’s or the cursor’s perspective.
• Most professional players prefer CPI in the range of 400–1300.
• You can easily change your mouse CPI through the on-mouse button or the official software support.
  

  ---

What Is Mouse CPI?

CPI stands for Counts Per Inch. It refers to a measurement used to describe the sensitivity and precision of a PC mouse^[1]. A mouse’s CPI represents the number of steps or dots registered by the mouse sensor for every inch the mouse is moved physically on the mouse pad^[2].

Furthermore, a higher CPI value indicates a more sensitive mouse. A mouse with higher CPI will register more cursor movement for the same physical distance. This can be beneficial for tasks requiring fine accuracy or when working with high-resolution displays^[3]. Similarly, a lower CPI setting makes the cursor move less on the screen for the same physical mouse movement. Tasks that require broad movements, such as gaming or navigating large documents may benefit from lower CPI.

CPI Vs DPI

CPI and DPI (Dots Per Inch) are often used interchangeably and reflect the same performance parameter, i.e., the sensitivity of a mouse. Although there is a slight difference between these two. The following table provides a comparison of these two terms:

Best Mouse CPI For Gaming

The exact choice of CPI for your gaming mouse depends on your gameplay and preferences. Usually, many professional players prefer high CPI because of its higher responsiveness^[4]. Typically, professional players prefer CPI settings in the range of 400-1300 CPI. I will recommend starting from a moderate CPI and keep adjusting until you find a perfect balance of speed and accuracy for your gaming style.

How To Change CPI On Mouse?

Most modern gaming mice offer adjustable CPI settings. You can do so by either using the official software support (if the mouse has it) or through the adjustable CPI button located on the mouse^[5]. Usually, gaming mice come with good official software support that allows you a great extent of customization ranging from RGBs to CPI settings. However, if your mouse does not have software support or you want to quickly shift between different CPI settings, you can use the on-mouse CPI button that will cycle you through different CPI settings.

Final Thoughts

CPI or Counts Per Inch refers to the number of counts or steps registered by the mouse sensor as the mouse moves one inch on the mouse pad. It is an important performance parameter that signifies mouse sensitivity. The higher the CPI, the higher the mouse sensitivity and the higher the responsiveness^[6]. Moreover, many professional players prefer CPI settings in the range of 400–1300 CPI. But I will recommend finding a perfect balance of speed and accuracy that suits your gameplay.

Additionally, CPI and DPI are almost the same parameters, which refer to the same thing. The main difference between these two lies in the perspective from which they are viewed. From the mouse sensor’s view, the sensitivity is referred to as CPI. Similarly, from the mouse cursor’s perspective, the sensitivity is expressed in terms of DPI^[7]. Nonetheless, both are almost the same and are often used interchangeably.

Lastly, you can cycle through the default CPI settings on your mouse through the on-mouse CPI button. Otherwise, if you want greater customization, you can check for official software support and edit the mouse CPI settings there.

Related Helpful Resources By Tech4Gamers:

• Mouse Polling Rate
• Mouse Sensors
• Mouse DPI

References:

1. Casper Feeney (February 2023). What Does CPI Button On A Mouse Do? (Explained). Retrieved from https://www.thetechwire.com/what-does-cpi-button-on-mouse-do/
2. Gregory Vodden (Nov 2022). CPI. RTINGS. Retrieved from https://www.rtings.com/mouse/tests/control/cpi
3. MOUSE GUIDE. Resolution / CPI / DPI / PPI. Retrieved from https://sensor.fyi/info/
4.  BRITTANY VINCENT (2023). CPI vs DPI Mouse Meaning. Retrieved from https://steelseries.com/blog/what-does-dpi-cpi-mean-773
5. ESPORTS GAMING MOUSE. Bloody. Retrieved from https://www.bloody.com/x5/
6. What Is Mouse CPI, CPI Button in Mouse & It’s Need – TecAgile. Retrieved from https://tecagile.com/mouse-cpi-button/
7. Tim Schuetz (Sep 11, 2021). What is the difference between CPI and DPI. Retrieved from https://dotesports.com/general/news/what-is-the-difference-between-cpi-and-dpi

Ali Rashid Khan

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com