Utility is the name for grenades in Counter-Strike. A single smoke can block a long hallway and a flash can win a duel. This guide explains each grenade and how CS2's sub-tick system changes throwing. Numbers come from CSDB's grenade guide, checked on October 9, 2026, and may change with patches.
Key takeaways
- You can carry up to four grenades, but only one of each type except flashes (two).
- In CS2, bullets and HE grenades can open temporary gaps in smokes.
- A smoke that lands on fire puts it out.
- Throw by hand and use a fixed reference point for lineups.
The grenades
| Grenade | Cost | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Smoke | $300 | Blocks sight for about 20 seconds |
| Flashbang | $200 | Blinds enemies for up to about 5 seconds |
| Molotov (T) / Incendiary (CT) | $400 / $500 | Fire that denies an area and slows players; about 7 and 5.5 seconds |
| HE grenade | $300 | Damage in a radius, strongest up close |
| Decoy | $50 | Fake gunfire on the enemy radar |
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How to throw
- Left-click throws far. Right-click makes a short lob. Both buttons make a medium throw.
- Standing still gives the most repeatable result.
- Running forward adds distance, and jumping extends the range.
- Pick a spot on the screen, such as a corner of a building, and aim at it every time.
What sub-tick means for grenades
Older Counter-Strike games treated your actions as happening on a server tick. CS2 uses sub-tick: Valve describes it as tracking when you press or release a button instead of only when a tick happens. GGRecon explains that low tick rates could lose actions between ticks, such as a throw, and sub-tick tries to fix that. Valve's video "Moving Beyond Tick Rate" is below.
Two practical points follow. First, a lineup from CS:GO may not land in the same spot, so check old videos against the current game. Second, the same release time should give the same throw more reliably. Valve's video "Responsive Smokes" shows the new smoke system.
Jump throws
CSDB says a one-key jump throw bind stopped working on official servers after an update on August 19, 2024, and that players using one can be kicked. We could not confirm that on a Valve page, so treat it with care. The safe method is to throw by hand: hold the throw button, jump, and release while rising.
En vivo: Counter-Strike 2
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Next steps
Practice on a private map with our practice commands guide. For money planning, read the economy cheat sheet, and see the CS2 hub.
