How to change mouse sensitivity
Four places to change it, and which one to use for what.
Windows 11 and Windows 10
- Windows 11Settings, Bluetooth & devices, Mouse, then drag Mouse pointer speed.
- Windows 10Settings, Devices, Mouse, then change Cursor speed.
- Control Panel routePress Win + R, type main.cpl, press Enter, then open Pointer Options. The Enhance pointer precision box turns mouse acceleration on or off.
Mac
Open System Settings, choose Mouse, and drag the Tracking speed slider. On older versions of macOS it is in System Preferences, under Mouse. The same slider decides how fast the cursor moves on the desktop.
With the mouse itself
Many mice have a DPI button that steps through a few presets, and the mouse software lets you set the exact values. This changes the sensor, so it affects the desktop and every game. See how to change your mouse DPI and keep your aim the same.
In a game
Every game has its own sensitivity setting, usually under mouse or controls. It decides how far the view turns for each mouse count. To keep your aim when you move to another game, use the converter. To find a value you like, try the sensitivity finder.
Which setting does what?
| Setting | What it changes |
|---|---|
| Mouse DPI (CPI) | How many counts the mouse sends per inch. Affects the desktop and every game. |
| Windows pointer speed | How fast the cursor moves on the desktop. Raw-input games ignore it. |
| In-game sensitivity | How far the game turns the view for each count. |
| ADS sensitivity | How the turn speed changes when you aim through a scope. See the ADS converter. |
Questions
How do I change my mouse sensitivity on Windows 11?
Open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices, then Mouse, and drag the Mouse pointer speed slider. For the fine settings open Additional mouse settings and use the Pointer Options tab.
How do I change my mouse sensitivity on Windows 10?
Open Settings, go to Devices, then Mouse, and change the Cursor speed. You can also press Win + R, type main.cpl and press Enter to open Mouse Properties, then use Pointer Options.
How do I change mouse sensitivity on a Mac?
Open System Settings, choose Mouse, and drag the Tracking speed slider. On older versions of macOS the same setting is in System Preferences under Mouse.
What is the difference between mouse sensitivity, DPI and pointer speed?
DPI is the sensor setting on the mouse. Pointer speed is how Windows or macOS scales that movement on the desktop. In-game sensitivity is how far a game turns the view for each count. Pointer speed affects the desktop, while games that use raw input ignore it.
How do I change sensitivity in a game?
Open the game’s settings and look under mouse or controls for sensitivity. Keep your mouse DPI the same when you move between games and use a converter or the cm/360 to keep your aim.
What mouse sensitivity is best for gaming?
There is no single answer. Many players set Windows pointer speed to the middle step (6 of 11) with Enhance pointer precision off and adjust the DPI and in-game sensitivity instead.