The console is your gateway to total control in CS2.
The Counter-Strike franchise has come a long way, with CS2 implementing an expanded settings menu allowing players to adjust the game on the fly. However, there's an even way to tweak settings or set up servers: using the CS2 console.
Before you learn the important CS2 console commands, you'll need to know how to open the console in the first place. Here's a quick guide to enabling the CS2 console and some commands every player should know!
How to open the console in CS2
To use any console command, you'll first need to open it. The default key for opening the CS2 console is tilda or ~.
If the console does not open when you press ~, it means the console is disabled and needs to be enabled, or your console key bind is different. To enable the console in CS2:
- Open CS2.
- Click the Settings button in the top-left.
- Click the Game tab.
- Switch Enable Developer Console to Yes.
- Underneath will be a Go To Console Key Binding; click this if you want to change the key bind for the console.
To check your current console keybind:
- Open CS2.
- Head to the Settings and select Keyboard/Mouse.
- Under UI Keys, check the Toggle Console keybind.
- You can also change the bind here!
CS2's settings menu has come a long way, with many adjustments now possible through the client without needing the console. That said, most classic Counter-Strike commands still work in the console, and players often prefer to adjust some of these using the console interface.
There are thousands of commands in CS2, but we've picked out some of the most important commands you should know off by heart. We've sorted them into three sections: General commands, communication, and practice or private server commands.
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The must-know CS2 console commands
Command | Details |
|---|---|
| General | - - - |
| quit | Shuts down CS2. |
| disconnect | Disconnects you from the server, immediately returning you to the CS2 main menu. |
| sensitivity X | Sets your mouse sensitivity to value X (decimals allowed). |
| bind <action> <key> | Allows you to bind a command or action to a key e.g. bind 6 noclip means noclip is activated when the 6 button is pressed. |
| volume X | Sets the master volume of the game to value X (0 being off, 1 being 100%; decimals allowed). |
| cq_netgraph 1 | Activates connection details in the HUD. cq_netgraph 0 disables this. |
| cl_showfps 1/2/3/4 | Activates performance FPS counter with increasing detail. cl_showfps 0 disables this. |
| fps_max X | Sets your maximum FPS to value X. Choose 0 to remove the limiter. |
| cl_drawhud 0 | Turns off the HUD. cl_drawhud 1 turns enables the HUD. |
| r_drawviewmodel 0 | Turns off all viewmodels. Use with the above command for clear screenshots without models or the HUD. |
| cl_draw_only_deathnotices 1 | Turns off the HUD apart from the killfeed. |
| demoui | Opens the playback settings for the CS2 demo viewer. |
| clear | Clears the console window of all text. |
| Communication | - - - |
| voice_modenable 1 | Toggles all voice chat, including your own. |
| cl_hide_avatar_images 1 | Turns off all custom player avatars. cl_hide_avatar_images 0 toggles this. |
| Practice/Server | - - - |
| sv_cheats 1 | Enables cheat commands. Can only be done in private servers/practice. sv_cheats 0 disables cheats. |
| sv_infinite_ammo 1 | Grants infinite ammo without needing to reload. sv_infinite_ammo 0 disables this. |
| sv_grenade_trajectory 1 | Displays the trajectory of any thrown grenades. Toggle to 0 to disable. |
| mp_roundtime X | Sets the round length to a custom value (X) of your choosing. For practice, set this to 60. |
| mp_restartgame 1 | Restarts the server and refreshes some commands. |
| mp_maxmoney X | Sets the maximum amount of money per player possible to value X. |
| mp_startmoney X | Sets the starting amount of money per player to value X. |
| map <map> changelevel <map> | Changes the server's map to your choosing e.g. map de_dust2 |
| kill | Instantly die and respawn. |
| god 1 | Grants invulnerability. |
| noclip | Allows you to fly through a map without being bound by speed or structures. It is recommended you bind this to a key (bind <key> noclip) |
| bot_kick | Kicks all bots from the server. |
| bot_add | Adds a bot to the server. You can choose which team by specifying after the main command e.g. bot_add t or bot_add ct |
We'll keep this list updated with new CS2 commands we think you should know.
That's all for now! Stay tuned to esports.gg for more CS2 news and guides.
