Master Your Aim: The Ultimate Dot Crosshair Guide for CS2 & CS:GO (2025)

Jadav Vasudev
3 days ago
5 min read

In the high-stakes, pixel-perfect world of Counter-Strike, your crosshair is more than just a targeting reticle—it's the focal point of your aim, precision, and consistency. While crosshairs come in countless shapes and sizes, the simple dot crosshair remains a favorite among purists and headshot machines. Its minimalist design eliminates distractions, allowing you to focus on the single most important thing: the center of your screen.

This expert guide will walk you through everything you need to know about setting up the perfect dot crosshair in both Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) and CS:GO. We'll cover multiple methods, from simple in-game settings to advanced console commands, ensuring you find the approach that works best for you.

Why Choose a Dot Crosshair? The Pros and Cons

Before we dive into the setup, it's crucial to understand why so many skilled players opt for a dot. Like any setting, it has its unique advantages and potential drawbacks.

Pros:

Unmatched Precision: A single dot is the ultimate tool for surgical accuracy. It encourages precise mouse placement for one-taps and long-range duels, as there are no outer lines to obscure your target.
Minimalist Sight Picture: With no distracting lines, your field of view is cleaner. This can help you spot enemies more easily and maintain better situational awareness.
Builds Good Habits: Because a dot provides no feedback on movement inaccuracy or spray bloom, it forces you to master your counter-strafing and spray control through feel and practice, leading to better overall mechanics.

Cons:

Visibility Issues: A small dot can easily get lost against complex textures, bright backgrounds, or during chaotic firefights.
Lack of Feedback: Unlike dynamic crosshairs, a dot doesn't expand when you move or shoot, offering no visual cue for your current weapon inaccuracy.
Alignment Difficulty: Some players find it harder to align a single dot for quick flicks or grenade lineups compared to a traditional cross.

Ultimately, a dot crosshair is for the confident player who prioritizes precision above all else. If that sounds like you, let's get it set up.

Method 1: Using the In-Game Settings Menu (The Easiest Way)

CS2 introduced a more intuitive settings menu, making it easier than ever to create a dot crosshair without touching the console.

Open Settings: Launch CS2 and click the gear icon in the top-left corner.
Navigate to Crosshair: Go to the Game tab and then select Crosshair.
Adjust the Settings: Use the preview at the top to see your changes in real-time.
- Center Dot: Set to Yes.
- Length: Set this slider to 0. This is the key step to remove the outer lines.
- Thickness: This now controls the size of your dot. Adjust it to your preference. A value between 0.5 and 1.5 is common.
- Gap: This setting will have no effect since the lines are gone.
- Outline: Set to Yes for better visibility, or No for a cleaner look.
- Color: Choose a vibrant color like green, cyan, or yellow that stands out against common map textures.

This method is quick, simple, and perfect for players who want a functional dot crosshair without the hassle.

Method 2: Using the Developer Console (The Pro's Choice)

For maximum control and customization, the developer console is the definitive method. It works flawlessly in both CS2 and CS:GO.

Step 1: Enable the Developer Console

If you haven't already, go to Settings -> Game and set Enable Developer Console to Yes. You can now open the console by pressing the tilde key (~).

Step 2: Input the Dot Crosshair Commands

Open the console and enter the following commands one by one. This is a great starting point for a crisp, visible dot.

cl_crosshairstyle 4
cl_crosshairdot 1
cl_crosshairsize 0
cl_crosshairthickness 1.2
cl_crosshair_drawoutline 1
cl_crosshairoutline_thickness 1
cl_crosshairgap -5
cl_crosshaircolor 4

Command Breakdown:

cl_crosshairstyle 4: Sets your crosshair to the "classic static" style.
cl_crosshairdot 1: Enables the center dot. (0 to disable).
cl_crosshairsize 0: Sets the length of the crosshair lines to zero, effectively removing them.
cl_crosshairthickness 1.2: This controls the size of your dot. Increase for a larger dot, decrease for a smaller one.
cl_crosshair_drawoutline 1: Adds a black outline around your dot for much-improved visibility. (0 to disable).
cl_crosshairoutline_thickness 1: Sets the thickness of the black outline.
cl_crosshairgap -5: Pushing the gap into a negative value ensures the lines (which are already size 0) are completely gone.
cl_crosshaircolor 4: Sets the color to cyan. (1=Green, 2=Yellow, 3=Blue, 5=Magenta). For a custom color, use cl_crosshaircolor 5 and then define it with cl_crosshaircolor_r, cl_crosshaircolor_g, and cl_crosshaircolor_b commands (values from 0-255).

Method 3: Using a Crosshair Generator Map

If you prefer a visual approach, community-made Workshop maps are an incredible resource. The most famous is crashz' Crosshair Generator.

Subscribe to the Map: Open Steam, go to the CS2/CS:GO Workshop, search for "crashz' Crosshair Generator," and click "Subscribe."
Launch the Map: In-game, click Play -> Workshop Maps, and select the generator map.
Create Your Dot: Once inside, you can shoot at on-screen buttons to adjust every crosshair variable visually. You can also test your new crosshair against different colored walls and bots.
Copy Pro Crosshairs: These maps often feature a wall with crosshairs used by professional players. You can shoot to instantly try out the settings of legends like s1mple or NiKo.

How to Save Your Crosshair Permanently

To prevent your crosshair from resetting every time you launch the game, you should save it in an autoexec.cfg file.

Locate Your CFG Folder: Navigate to your Counter-Strike installation folder. A common path is: Steam\steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Global Offensive\game\csgo\cfg.
Create the File: If you don't already have one, create a new text file and name it autoexec.cfg (ensure the file extension is .cfg, not .txt).
Paste Your Commands: Open the file with a text editor like Notepad and paste all your desired crosshair commands into it.
Add Final Line: Add host_writeconfig as the very last line in the file. This command ensures your settings are executed and saved.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I get banned for using console commands or an autoexec?

A: Absolutely not. The developer console and config files are built-in features of the game, intended for customization.

Q: My dot is too small/big. How do I change it?

A: The primary command for this is cl_crosshairthickness. Increase the value for a bigger dot and decrease it for a smaller one.

Q: How do I get a perfect square dot?

A: Some older commands allowed for square dots, but in CS2 the cl_crosshairthickness command generally produces a circular or slightly rounded-square dot depending on the value and your resolution. Experiment with thickness to get the shape you want.

Q: Why did my crosshair disappear?

A: You may have set cl_crosshairalpha (transparency) to 0 or cl_crosshairsize and cl_crosshairdot to 0 simultaneously. Re-enter the commands from this guide to restore it.

Conclusion: Find Your Focus

Choosing a crosshair is a deeply personal journey, but the dot offers a path to pure, uncluttered precision. Whether you use the in-game menu, the console, or a workshop map, the goal is the same: to create a targeting point that feels like a natural extension of your own focus.

Experiment with different sizes, colors, and outlines. Test them in deathmatch and aim training maps. The perfect dot crosshair is the one you forget is even there, allowing you to simply see the target and click. Now, go find yours.