- Default: Dynamic Quad
- Sizes now in pixels
- New share codes (30 Sep)
- Outline colour added
In September 2026 Valve rebuilt CS2's crosshairs from the ground up: a new settings tab, new styles, sizes in real pixels and a new share-code format. If your crosshair suddenly looked different β or your saved code stopped working β this is why. This guide explains what changed in each of the three updates, what every setting and console variable does now, and how to build a crosshair that helps you hit heads instead of hiding them. Console names were checked against Valve's own variable list on 2026-10-25.
cl_crosshairstyle, cl_crosshair_length, cl_crosshair_thickness and
cl_crosshair_gap.- New tab: Crosshair/Scopes in Settings, with a live preview.
- Default style: Dynamic Quad (style 7 of 0β9).
- Pixels: length and thickness scale automatically when you change resolution.
- New share codes since 30 September β rebuild old CSGO- codes.
- Best crosshair: small, thin, high-contrast and outlined; static for first shots.
What changed in September 2026
- 22 Sep 2026The rebuild
Crosshairs became resolution independent; new Crosshair/Scopes tab; new styles; default switched to Dynamic Quad.
- 23 Sep 2026Pixels and outlines
Thickness and length in pixels, rescaled automatically when you change resolution; half outlines; a static square style; 0 gap fixed.
- 30 Sep 2026Codes, colours and quadrants
Outline colour option; Static Quadrant style; grenade crosshairs in freeze time; negative gaps for classic dynamic; scope dot scale and colour in the share code; a new share-code format.
The aim of the rebuild was a crosshair that looks the same at any resolution. The side effect: crosshairs made for the old system can look thicker or thinner, and players report old CSGO- codes being refused as an old format β re-make the code in the new tab. Valve's 8 and 22 October updates made no further crosshair changes.
Every setting and its console variable
| Console variable | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
cl_crosshairstyle | 7 | The style β 0 to 9; 7 is the default Dynamic Quad (pick styles by name in the tab) |
cl_crosshair_length | 8 | Length of each line, in pixels |
cl_crosshair_thickness | 2 | Line thickness, in pixels (0β32) |
cl_crosshair_gap | 4 | Space between the lines and the centre β negative values pull them in |
cl_crosshairdot | 0 | A dot in the centre (1 = on) |
cl_crosshair_t | 0 | T-shape: drops the top line (1 = on) |
cl_crosshair_drawoutline | 1 | Outline: 0 off, 1 full, 2 half |
cl_crosshaircolor_r / _g / _b / _a | 0 / 255 / 0 / 255 | Crosshair colour and opacity (0β255 each) |
cl_crosshairoutline_r / _g / _b / _a | 0 / 0 / 0 / 255 | Outline colour and opacity (new on 30 Sep) |
cl_crosshair_recoil | 1 | Follow Recoil β the crosshair moves with the spray |
cl_crosshair_friendly_warning | 1 | The warning when you aim at a teammate |
Defaults as Valve's variable list shows them. Older names β cl_crosshairsize, cl_crosshairthickness, cl_crosshairalpha β are still in the list but hidden; use the names above.
Static or dynamic?
Static styles
The lines never move. What you see is where your first bullet goes when you're standing still β the choice of most experienced players, because it keeps your eyes on the target, not the crosshair.
Dynamic styles
The lines spread when you move, jump or spray, showing your inaccuracy. Useful while you learn when you can shoot accurately; the default Dynamic Quad is dynamic.
A third setting sits between them: cl_crosshair_recoil (Follow Recoil) moves the crosshair with your spray, so it shows where the
next bullet goes. It helps some players learn spray control and distracts others β try a deathmatch with it on and one with it off.
How to build a crosshair that helps
- Pick a colour the maps don't use.
Cyan, bright green or yellow stand out against CS2's sand, stone and wood; set it with the colour picker or
cl_crosshaircolor_r/g/b. - Keep it small.
Short lines with a small gap leave the head visible inside the crosshair at long range.
- Keep it thin.
A thickness of 1β2 pixels is enough when you have an outline.
- Add an outline.
cl_crosshair_drawoutline 1(or half-outline, 2) keeps it visible on bright walls; since 30 September the outline colour is yours too. - Test in deathmatch, then leave it alone.
Changing your crosshair every week costs more than any crosshair gains. Pick one and keep it.
- 0β9crosshair styles since the rebuild
- 7the default style, Dynamic Quad
- pxlength and thickness units since 23 Sep
- 30 Sepnew share-code format
Share codes after the update
Valve changed the format of the crosshair share code on 30 September 2026, and scope-dot settings are now included in the code. Players report that old CSGO- codes are refused as an old format. The fix is quick: rebuild the crosshair in the Crosshair/Scopes tab (or type the console values from a pro's settings page), then copy the new code from the tab to share it.
Crosshair placement matters more than the crosshair
The best crosshair in the world won't help if it's pointed at the floor. Keep it at head height and on the angle an enemy will appear from, so a duel needs a small correction instead of a flick β that's what the aim guide builds on. Practise both on a practice server with bots.
Help with aim and settings
- Settings and aim: 1-on-1 coaching β from $18.00 an hour.
- See your crosshair in real fights: demo analysis.
- Read next: how to review your demos.
- Valve β Rush Hour notes (22 Sep 2026) Β· 23 Sep 2026 update (via SteamDB) Β· 30 Sep 2026 update (Valve's notes via SteamAnalyst)
- Defaults and names: Valve's CS2 variable list (SteamDB GameTracking-CS2, read 2026-10-25). Old-code reports: players, not Valve.
All free tools: calculators, percentiles & season countdowns β
