DPI vs CPI vs eDPI Explained

Three acronyms, one idea: how far your cursor moves when you move your mouse. Here's the simple version.

DPI and CPI

They mean the same thing for mice: counts per inch. At 800 DPI, moving the mouse one inch sends 800 counts.

eDPI

eDPI = DPI × in-game sensitivity. 800 DPI at 1.5 sens is 1200 eDPI, the same as 1600 DPI at 0.75. It's how players compare settings. Try the eDPI calculator.

cm/360

The most honest number of all: how many centimetres you move the mouse to turn 360° in game. Use the sensitivity converter to see yours.

Final Thoughts

The short version: pick a comfortable DPI, set your game sensitivity to reach an eDPI that feels right, and use cm/360 whenever you move between games. Measure your real DPI once with the DPI test so all your numbers are accurate, and write your settings down so you can restore them any time.

Try It Now

Start with the DPI test to get your real number, then plug it into the eDPI calculator and the sensitivity converter. Together they give you a complete picture of your settings.

DPI and CPI: Same Thing, Different Names

DPI (dots per inch) is a printing term borrowed by the mouse industry. CPI (counts per inch) is the technically correct name, because a mouse counts movement rather than printing dots. Some brands use one, some use the other, but they mean the same thing: how many movement counts your mouse sends for every inch you move it. If your mouse is set to 1600 DPI and you move it one inch, the computer receives 1600 counts. On a desktop with no acceleration, that moves the cursor about 1600 pixels.

How DPI Affects Your Cursor

Higher DPI moves the cursor further with less hand movement. On a 4K screen, which is twice as wide in pixels, you'd need twice the DPI for the same feel. That's why high-resolution screen users often choose higher DPI.

What Is In-Game Sensitivity?

Games add their own multiplier on top of DPI. In a first-person game, sensitivity decides how many degrees your view turns per mouse count. Each game uses its own scale, which is why "sensitivity 2" in one game can feel nothing like "sensitivity 2" in another. Inside the same game, though, DPI and sensitivity simply multiply together. That's where eDPI comes in.

eDPI: Comparing Settings Fairly

eDPI stands for effective DPI. It's DPI multiplied by in-game sensitivity. Two players with completely different-looking settings can have the same eDPI and therefore the same feel. For example, 400 DPI at 2.0 sensitivity and 1600 DPI at 0.5 both equal 800 eDPI. That's why players and coaches compare eDPI rather than raw sensitivity. Calculate yours with the eDPI calculator.

cm/360: The Universal Measure

eDPI only works within the same game. To compare across games, use cm/360: how many centimetres you move the mouse to turn a full circle. It's the same physical distance no matter which game, so it's the best way to keep your aim consistent. The sensitivity converter shows cm/360 for your settings in any supported game.

Does Higher DPI Mean Better Aim?

No. DPI is a speed setting, not a quality setting. Very high DPI makes tiny hand tremors visible and forces you to set game sensitivity very low. Some players believe higher DPI with lower sensitivity is slightly more precise, and there is a small benefit to avoiding very low DPI, but between 400 and 3200 the difference is negligible for most people. Pick a DPI that feels good on your desktop, then adjust sensitivity in games.

Measuring Your Real DPI

The number in your mouse software isn't always exact. Sensors can be a few percent off. To see your real DPI, use the DPI test, which measures a known distance. Read our guide to checking DPI for more ways to find your number.

Windows Pointer Speed: The Hidden Multiplier

On the desktop, there's another setting in the mix: the Windows pointer speed slider. At the default position (the sixth notch of eleven), Windows moves the cursor one pixel per mouse count, so DPI alone decides speed. Moving the slider changes that ratio. Higher notches make the cursor move further per count. Lower notches can skip counts, which can make movement slightly less smooth. For the cleanest setup, keep the slider at the default and adjust DPI instead. Also turn off "Enhance pointer precision", which adds acceleration.

Most modern games use raw input, which ignores the pointer speed slider. But older games, the desktop and many apps don't, so it's worth getting right.

Examples: Same Feel, Different Numbers

Players A, B and C have identical aim feel, despite completely different DPI and sensitivity. Player D is faster. This is why eDPI and cm/360 are so useful when comparing settings.

Choosing Your Numbers

1. Pick a DPI between 400 and 1600 that feels comfortable on your desktop.
2. Choose an eDPI near the middle of the typical range for your game.
3. Calculate in-game sensitivity: eDPI ÷ DPI.
4. Play for a week and adjust in small steps.
5. Write down your final DPI, sensitivity, eDPI and cm/360.

DPI, Sensitivity and Screen Resolution

Resolution affects how DPI feels on the desktop, but not in 3D games. On the desktop, the cursor moves a number of pixels per count, so on a higher resolution screen it covers a smaller part of the screen for the same movement. That's why 800 DPI feels fast on a 1080p screen but slow on 4K. In 3D games with raw input, your view turns by degrees, not pixels, so resolution doesn't change how far you turn. That's another reason cm/360 is the most reliable measure for games.

Quick Reference

Keep these three in mind and you'll never be confused by sensitivity numbers again. Use the eDPI calculator and the converter to do the maths.

Key Takeaways

• DPI and CPI are the same thing: counts per inch.
• In-game sensitivity multiplies with DPI.
• eDPI compares settings within the same game.
• cm/360 compares settings across games.
• Higher DPI isn't better, it's just faster.

Common Questions

Should I use 400 or 800 DPI? Both are popular. 800 gives slightly finer control on the desktop.

Why do pros use low DPI? Mostly habit and consistency. Older sensors worked best at low DPI, and many pros never changed.

Does eDPI include Windows pointer speed? No. Keep it at default for games without raw input.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guides

• How to Check Your Mouse DPI
• How to Change Mouse DPI
• How to Convert Sensitivity Between Games