There's no DPI readout in Windows or macOS. But there are three easy ways to find yours.
1. Check the Mouse Software
Logitech G Hub, Razer Synapse, SteelSeries GG and others show your DPI stages. That's the most direct answer.
2. Look Up the Model
Find your model with our what mouse do I have guide, then check the spec sheet. Office mice are usually 800 to 1600 DPI.
3. Measure It
The DPI test measures your real DPI against a bank card or paper. It's also the only way to see how close the real value is to the setting.
Final Thoughts
Whichever method you use, check again whenever you change mouse, update firmware or reset your software, as these can all change your DPI without you noticing. A quick measurement takes two minutes and saves a lot of confusion when your aim suddenly feels different in game.
Try It Now
Ready? Open the DPI test, grab a bank card or ruler, and measure your mouse now. It takes two minutes. Then use the result in the eDPI calculator to see how your settings compare with other players in your game, and keep a note of it for the next time you change mouse.
Method 1 in Detail: Mouse Software
If you have a gaming mouse, its software is the fastest way to see your DPI. Here's where to look in the most common apps:
| Software | Where to find DPI |
|---|---|
| Logitech G Hub | Select the mouse, then Sensitivity (DPI) |
| Razer Synapse | Mouse, then Performance |
| SteelSeries GG | Engine, select the mouse, CPI |
| Corsair iCUE | Select the mouse, DPI |
| Glorious Core | Performance tab |
Most gaming mice have several DPI stages, and the LED colour or an on-screen popup shows which one is active. If you press the DPI button by accident, you can change stage without noticing, so check which stage you're on.
Method 2 in Detail: Model Specs
If your mouse doesn't have software, find the model number on the label underneath, or in Device Manager on Windows. Search for the model with "specs" or "DPI". Office mice often list a single DPI, like 1000 or 1600. Some list a range with a switch. Our what mouse do I have guide shows every way to find the model on Windows, Mac and Linux.
Method 3 in Detail: Measure It
Measuring is the most reliable method, and the only one that shows your actual DPI. Here's how our DPI test works:
- Choose a reference: a bank card (85.6 mm), a ruler, or a sheet of paper.
- Click the test area to lock the pointer.
- Move the mouse exactly the reference distance in a straight line.
- The test divides the counts by the distance to get DPI.
- Repeat a few times. The median result is your DPI.
Measuring works on any mouse and any computer, and it isn't affected by Windows pointer speed or acceleration.
How to Check DPI on Windows
Windows doesn't show DPI anywhere. The Mouse settings page shows pointer speed, which is a separate multiplier. Device Manager shows the model but not DPI. So on Windows, use the mouse software, the spec sheet or the online test. If you want to know how pointer speed affects you: at the default sixth notch, Windows moves one pixel per count. Other notches scale it up or down.
How to Check DPI on Mac
macOS doesn't show DPI either. Tracking speed in System Settings works like Windows pointer speed, with acceleration always on by default. For Apple's Magic Mouse, Apple doesn't publish a DPI figure, so measuring is the only option. Third-party mice on Mac work with their makers' software where available.
Why Your Measured DPI Might Differ
- Sensors have manufacturing tolerances of a few percent.
- Some brands round DPI steps.
- Surfaces affect how well the sensor reads movement.
- Small measurement errors at the start and end of each pass.
A difference of up to about 5% is normal. More than that, check your measurement and surface. Use a longer distance and more passes for a more precise result.
What to Do With Your DPI Number
Once you know your real DPI, you can use it to match sensitivity across mice and games. Enter it in the eDPI calculator to compare with pros, or the sensitivity converter to keep your aim the same in a new game. If your DPI feels wrong, our guide to changing DPI explains how to set a new one.
Checking DPI on Linux and ChromeOS
Linux doesn't show mouse DPI either, though tools like libinput can show raw movement. For most people, measuring with the online test is simpler. On ChromeOS, there's a pointer speed setting but no DPI readout. The online test works in Chrome on any of these systems, because it reads raw movement directly.
DPI on Gaming Mice With Stages
Gaming mice usually have three to five DPI stages that you cycle through with a button. Each stage has its own value, set in the software. The LED colour often shows the current stage, for example red for 400, blue for 800 and green for 1600. If you're unsure which stage you're on, measure it. Some players set all stages to the same value so an accidental button press doesn't change anything.
Common Questions
Is DPI the same as sensitivity? DPI is the mouse side. Sensitivity is usually the game or system setting.
Does DPI change with polling rate? No, they're independent.
Can DPI drift over time? The sensor doesn't change, but dirt or a worn pad can affect tracking.
How do I measure DPI without software? Use the DPI test. It needs no installation.
Is My DPI Too High or Too Low?
If you often run out of mouse pad or have to lift your mouse to cross the screen, your DPI (or sensitivity) is probably too low. If the cursor feels twitchy, overshoots small targets or shakes when you try to hold it still, it's probably too high. On the desktop, a good test is to move from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner with a single, comfortable wrist or arm motion. If you can do that without straining or overshooting, your DPI is in a good range. For games, set your sensitivity so you can turn 180 degrees with one comfortable sweep of your arm.
Summary
There are three ways to find your DPI: check the mouse software, look up the spec sheet, or measure it. Measuring is the only way to know the real value, and it takes two minutes with the DPI test. Once you know it, use it to keep your aim consistent across mice and games.
Key Takeaways
- Windows and macOS don't show DPI.
- Mouse software shows the set value.
- Measuring shows the real value.
- A few percent difference is normal.
- Use your real DPI when matching sensitivity.
Common Questions
Does my laptop touchpad have DPI? Touchpads have a resolution too, but it's handled by the driver and isn't usually shown or adjustable.
Can I check DPI on my phone? Not for a phone screen, but you can test a mouse connected to an Android device in Chrome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Windows show my DPI?
No. Windows only shows pointer speed, not DPI.
Why is measured DPI different?
A few percent of deviation is normal.
How do I change DPI?
With the DPI button or the mouse software.
Related Guides
- DPI vs CPI vs eDPI Explained
- How to Change Mouse DPI
- How to Convert Sensitivity Between Games