Introduction | What is eDPI in Valorant
Aim is King in Valorant. But if you have ever tried copying a pro player’s settings, you might have noticed their sensitivity feels completely different from yours, even if the numbers look similar. One player uses 0.4 and moves slowly. Another uses 0.3 and spins like a top.
The missing variable is eDPI.
Adjusting your aim is just one part of the game. To master economy and agents, check out our Ultimate Valorant Guide.
Table of Contents
- What is eDPI?
- The Golden Formula
- Why eDPI Matters More Than Sensitivity
- The “Polling Rate” Factor (1000Hz vs 4000Hz)
- The 4 Tiers of Valorant Sensitivity
- How to Adjust eDPI Safely
- Common Myths Debunked
- Conclusion: Find Your Number
- FAQ
What is eDPI?
eDPI stands for Effective Dots Per Inch.
Think of it as the “Universal Language” of mouse sensitivity.
- DPI (Dots Per Inch): A hardware setting. How many pixels your cursor moves on the desktop per inch of physical mouse movement.
- Sensitivity: A software setting. A multiplier applied by the Valorant game engine.
Separately, these numbers are meaningless. Together, they create your True Sensitivity.
The Golden Formula
Calculating it is simple math.
Mouse DPI × In-Game Sensitivity = eDPI
Example A (The “Low” Sens Player)
- Mouse: 800 DPI
- Game: 0.35
- eDPI: 800 × 0.35 = 280
Example B (The “High” Sens Player)
- Mouse: 1600 DPI
- Game: 0.175
- eDPI: 1600 × 0.175 = 280
The Result: Even though Player B has double the hardware DPI, both players have the exact same eDPI. Their crosshair moves the same distance for every centimeter they move their hand.
Stop Guessing: Calculate your true eDPI instantly with our free Valorant eDPI Calculator.
Why eDPI Matters More Than Sensitivity
In 2026, with the rise of lightweight mice (sub-40g) and glass mousepads, your sensitivity “feel” is subjective. eDPI provides an objective metric.
1. The Stability Factor
Valorant is a low-TTK (Time To Kill) game. First shot accuracy is everything.
- High eDPI (400+): Great for 180-degree turns and dodging flashes. Bad for micro-adjustments at long range (e.g., Breeze or Lotus C Site).
- Low eDPI (200-300): Exceptional stability. You can hold a pixel-tight angle without your hand jitters messing up your shot.
2. Consistency Under Pressure
When you are in a 1v3 clutch, your heart rate spikes to 120+ BPM. Your hands naturally shake.
If you play on High eDPI, those tiny shakes translate to your crosshair missing the head.
If you play on Low eDPI, the lower sensitivity “filters out” the shakes, keeping your aim smooth.
The “Polling Rate” Factor (1000Hz vs 4000Hz)
With the upgrade to Unreal Engine 5.3, Valorant’s input processing is faster than ever. This brings “Polling Rate” into the eDPI conversation.
- Standard (1000Hz): Your mouse reports position 1,000 times a second.
- High Performance (4000Hz/8000Hz): Your mouse reports 4,000+ times a second.
The Impact on eDPI:
At 4000Hz, your mouse movement is smoother and more granular. Some players report that 4000Hz feels “faster” than 1000Hz because it captures micro-movements that were previously ignored.
- Tip: If you upgrade to a 4K Hz mouse, you might find yourself lowering your eDPI slightly (by 10-20 points) to compensate for the raw responsiveness.
The 4 Tiers of Valorant Sensitivity
Based on data from over 500 VCT pro players, we can categorize eDPI into four distinct playstyles.
Tier 1: The “Turrets” (160 – 240 eDPI)
- Who: Anchor players, Operators, support agents.
- Pros: Demon1, Yay.
- Playstyle: Arm aiming. Massive mousepad usage. You hold angles and let them walk into you.
- Pros: Unbeatable consistency.
- Cons: Clearing corners is exhausting. Checking flank is slow.
Tier 2: The “Golden Zone” (240 – 320 eDPI)
- Who: The majority of Pro Players (Duelists & Initiators).
- Pros: TenZ, Asuna.
- Playstyle: Hybrid aiming (Arm for turns, Wrist for aiming).
- Pros: Perfect balance of speed and precision.
- Cons: None. This is the recommended range for 90% of players.
Tier 3: The “Wrist Flickers” (320 – 400 eDPI)
- Who: Aggressive entry fraggers who need to clear angles fast.
- Pros: Rare in pro play, but common in Ranked.
- Playstyle: Wrist dominant.
- Pros: Instant reaction times.
- Cons: Hard to be consistent at long range. Risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Tier 4: The “Space Helicopters” (400+ eDPI)
- Who: The outliers.
- Pros: Wippie, Hiko (historically).
- Playstyle: Fingertip/High-Wrist.
- Pros: You can look anywhere instantly.
- Cons: Inconsistent. One bad day = 0 kills. Not recommended for climbing.
How to Adjust eDPI Safely
Changing intelligence resets your muscle memory… right? Wrong.
Research shows that “Muscle Memory” in aiming is actually “Mouse Control.” Your brain adapts to new sensitivities within 30-60 minutes.
The Adjustment Protocol:
- Don’t make small changes. Changing from 0.35 to 0.355 is pointless perfectionism (Placebo).
- Make drastic changes for training. Spend 10 minutes playing on Double your sensi. Then 10 minutes on Half your sensi.
- Return to normal. Your normal sensitivity will feel incredibly easy to control because you tasked your brain with difficult extremes.
- The “Slow Drift”. If you want to permanently change, do it instantly. Do not “slowly lower it over weeks.” Rip the band-aid off and play DM for 2 hours.
Common Myths Debunked
Myth 1: “My 10-Year CS:GO Sens is Best”
False. CS:GO movement speed and hitboxes are different. Valorant models move slower, but heads are smaller. A direct 1:1 conversion isn’t always optimal.
- Solution: Use our Sensitivity Converter to find a starting point, but be willing to adjust.
Myth 2: “1600 DPI is Faster than 400 DPI”
Technically True, Practically Irrelevant.
1600 DPI has roughly 4ms less input lag than 400 DPI. However, if you adjust your in-game sensitivity to match the eDPI, the speed of the turn is the same.
- Recommendation: Use 800 or 1600 DPI for the lower latency, but lower your in-game sens to keep your eDPI in the Golden Zone.
Myth 3: “If I copy TenZ, I will aim like TenZ”
False. TenZ has 10,000 hours of muscle memory on his specific setup (Resolution, Mousepad friction, Desk height). Copying his eDPI (280) is a good start, but it won’t magically grant you Radiant aim.
Conclusion: Find Your Number
Understanding eDPI is the first step to standardizing your gameplay. It removes the hardware variable/confusion and lets you focus on raw mechanics.
The Action Plan:
- Check your Mouse DPI (Hardware).
- Check your In-Game Sens.
- Calculate your eDPI.
- If it is above 400, lower it immediately.
- If it is below 160, raise it slightly.
- Stick to it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is a good eDPI for Valorant in 2026?
A: Data shows the average pro eDPI has settled around 280. Anything between 200 and 320 is considered ideal for consistent mechanics.
Q: Is higher DPI better than lower DPI?
A: Yes. Modern sensors perform better at 1600 DPI. It provides lower input latency and smoother pixel tracking (less “pixel skipping”) than 400 DPI. We recommend setting mouse to 1600 and lowering in-game sensitivity to compensate.
Q: How do I check my mouse DPI?
A: Check your mouse software (Logitech G Hub, Razer Synapse) or look at the sticker on the bottom of your mouse. The standard default is usually 800.
Q: Does Windows Sensitivity affect Valorant?
A: No. Valorant uses “Raw Input” by default. Your Windows pointer speed (e.g., 6/11) does not change your in-game sensitivity. However, keep it at 6/11 for muscle consistency in menus.