What Is DPI and eDPI? A Plain-English Guide for Gamers

DPI (dots per inch, also called CPI) is how many counts your mouse sensor reports for one inch of movement. At 800 DPI, moving an inch sends 800 counts; at 1600 DPI it sends 1600, so the cursor travels twice as far.

What is eDPI?

eDPI (effective DPI) multiplies DPI by your in-game sensitivity:

eDPI = DPI × in-game sensitivity

800 DPI at sensitivity 1.2 is 960 eDPI — the same as 1600 DPI at sensitivity 0.6. Players use eDPI to compare settings. Calculate yours with the eDPI calculator.

What about cm/360?

eDPI only compares sensitivity inside one game. To compare across games, use cm/360, the distance your mouse moves for a full 360° turn. The lower it is, the faster your aim turns. Convert between games with the mouse sensitivity converter.

Which DPI should you use?

There is no best number. Many players use 400 to 1600 DPI with an in-game sensitivity that gives a comfortable cm/360. A very low DPI can look “steppy” on a high-resolution display; a very high DPI is only useful if you lower your sensitivity to match.

How to find your real DPI

Check your mouse software, or estimate it with our mouse DPI test. Remember mice are often slightly off their stated DPI.

Tips for choosing

• Pick a DPI, then adjust only in-game sensitivity.
• Change by small steps and give each setting a few sessions.
• Compare setups using the aim test.