How do I open the console in CS2?

Go to Settings → Game and set Enable Developer Console (~) to Yes, then press the ~ key. You can also add -console to your Steam launch options.

How do I show FPS in CS2?

Type cl_showfps 1 in the console. For frame-time details, use cl_hud_telemetry_frametime_show 2 or the telemetry options in the settings.

What is the default fps_max in CS2?

The default is fps_max 400. Setting fps_max 0 removes the limit.

Is there a net_graph in CS2?

Not like the old CS:GO one. Use the built-in telemetry options to see your performance and connection.

CS2 Console Commands 2026: FPS, Crosshair & Essentials

Every serious CS2 player ends up typing into the console sooner or later. It is faster than digging through menus, and some settings only live there. Here is how to switch it on and which commands actually matter.

How to enable the developer console

The console is turned off by default. Open Settings → Game and set Enable Developer Console (~) to Yes. From now on, press the ~ key (the one under Esc on most keyboards) to open and close it.

Prefer launch options? In your Steam Library, right-click Counter-Strike 2, open Properties and add -console to the launch options. The console will then open by itself every time the game starts.

The essential commands

These are the commands most players use every week. None of them need cheats, so they work on any server, including official matchmaking. Click a command to copy it, then paste it into the console and press Enter.

Counter-Strike 2

Effect	Console command	Needs sv_cheats
Show FPS counter		–
Show frame-time telemetry		–
Remove the FPS limit (default 400)		–
Crosshair size		–
Crosshair gap		–
Crosshair centre dot		–
Weapon view-model FOV (54–68)		–
View-model preset position (1–3)		–
Join a server by IP		–
Leave the server		–

Show your FPS and frame time

Want to know if your PC keeps up? Type cl_showfps 1 for a simple FPS counter in the corner. Set it back to 0 to hide it.

For more detail, CS2 has a built-in telemetry overlay. cl_hud_telemetry_frametime_show 2 shows your frame time, which tells you more than FPS alone: a smooth, steady frame time feels better than a high but jumpy FPS number. You can also find these telemetry options in the game settings menu.

Looking for the classic net_graph from CS:GO? It does not exist in CS2, and old replacement commands you may find online don't work either — use the telemetry options instead.

Counter-Strike 2 – Moving Beyond Tick Rate · YouTube

fps_max: remove the frame cap

By default CS2 limits your frame rate with fps_max 400. On a strong PC with a high-refresh monitor, you can type fps_max 0 to remove the limit completely.

Unlimited is not always better, though. If your PC runs hot or your frame time jumps around, a fixed cap a bit above your monitor's refresh rate can feel smoother. Test both and trust what you see on the telemetry overlay.

Crosshair basics

You can build a crosshair in the in-game editor, but the console is quicker for small changes. The three cvars that matter most:

cl_crosshairsize — how long the lines are (try 2 for a small, clean cross).
cl_crosshairgap — the space in the middle (negative values like -1 make it tighter).
cl_crosshairdot 1 — adds a dot in the centre; 0 removes it.

Small and tight crosshairs are popular for precise headshots, while a bigger gap helps some players see the target behind the cross. There is no perfect setting — pick what keeps your eyes on the enemy's head.

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Viewmodel: where your gun sits

The viewmodel is the weapon and hands you see on screen. Moving it out of the way gives you a cleaner view of the action. These are the allowed ranges:

Command	Range	What it does
`viewmodel_fov`	54 to 68	Higher = gun looks smaller and further away
`viewmodel_offset_x`	-2.5 to 2.5	Moves the gun left / right
`viewmodel_offset_y`	-2 to 2	Moves the gun forward / back
`viewmodel_offset_z`	-2 to 2	Moves the gun up / down
`viewmodel_presetpos`	1 to 3	Quick preset positions

A common start is viewmodel_fov 68 with a preset, then fine-tune the offsets until the gun stops blocking your view.

Save everything in an autoexec

Typing the same commands every session gets old fast. Instead, create a plain text file called autoexec.cfg in the game's cfg folder (inside your CS2 install, under game/csgo/cfg). Put one command per line, for example cl_showfps 1 and fps_max 0, and save it.

To load it, type exec autoexec in the console. If you want it to run automatically, add +exec autoexec.cfg to your launch options. Keep the file simple: only add commands you understand, and change one thing at a time so you know what made the difference.

Put your settings to work

Fresh crosshair, smooth frames — now go play. Join a live community server with connect IP:PORT or simply pick one from our CS2 server list. Want to grind aim and nades first? Check our CS2 practice commands guide.