How to Change Your Crosshair in CS2 After the 2026 Crosshair Update
Valve rebuilt the CS2 crosshair in September 2026. Where the settings are now, all 10 styles, why old codes fail, console commands and what pros use.
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Key takeaways
- Valve rebuilt the crosshair on September 22, 2026: settings now live in Settings → Crosshair/Scopes and every size is measured in real pixels.
- There are now 10 styles. The new default is Dynamic Quadrant; most pros still use a small static cross.
- New share codes start with “CS” and have no dashes. Old “CSGO-” codes no longer import — rebuild them by hand.
- Pixel values rescale with your resolution automatically, so a crosshair looks the same at 1280×960 and 2560×1440.
If your crosshair suddenly looked different this autumn, or a code from a guide stopped working, it is not you. Valve rebuilt the Counter-Strike 2 crosshair from scratch in the Rush Hour update on September 22, 2026, and kept changing it for another two weeks. This guide is written for the new system.
What changed in the 2026 crosshair update
- September 22 — the overhaul. Crosshair settings moved to a new Crosshair/Scopes tab. Length, thickness and gap became real pixels that rescale with your resolution. New styles arrived, and the default became Dynamic Quadrant, which shows your weapon’s actual spread.
- September 23–30 — fixes and new codes. Valve explained the pixel system, added the Static Square style and switched to a new share-code format that starts with “CS”. Old “CSGO-” codes stopped importing.
- Around October 1 — more options. The Static Quadrant style, an outline colour setting and a grenade crosshair during freeze time were added.
How to change your crosshair (step by step)
- Click the gear icon to open Settings and go to the Crosshair/Scopes tab.
- Pick a style (see the table below). For a steady aim point choose Static Cross.
- Set length, thickness and gap. The preview updates instantly.
- Choose a colour, an outline (none, half or full) and whether you want a centre dot.
- Test it in a private match or Deathmatch on a bright map and a dark one before you queue.
All 10 crosshair styles
| # | Style | How it behaves |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Dynamic Cross | Cross that opens up as you move and shoot |
| 1 | Dynamic Circle | Circle that grows with your weapon’s spread |
| 2 | Dynamic Cross (Classic) | Classic dynamic cross; the only style that allows a negative gap |
| 3 | Static Circle | Fixed circle |
| 4 | Static Cross | Fixed cross — the pro favourite |
| 5 | Dynamic Cross (Legacy) | Old-school shot-feedback style |
| 6 | Dot Only | Just a dot |
| 7 | Dynamic Quadrant | New default: static cross plus four corners that show real spread |
| 8 | Static Square | Fixed square |
| 9 | Static Quadrant | Fixed version of the quadrant style, with its own size slider |
The number is the value for the cl_crosshairstyle console command.
How crosshair codes work now
New share codes start with CS, have no dashes and are 46 characters long. CS2 rejects the old CSGO-xxxxx-xxxxx-… format with an “invalid or old crosshair code” message.
- Open Settings → Crosshair/Scopes and click Share or Import.
- Copy and save your current code first, so you can always go back.
- Paste the new code (including the “CS” at the start) and confirm.
- Have an old CSGO- code? Rebuild it by hand from its length, thickness, gap and colour. Valve has not released a converter.
Console commands
Enable the developer console under Settings → Game, then press ~.
cl_crosshairstyle 4 // 4 = Static Cross (0–9, see table)
cl_crosshair_length 2 // bar length in pixels
cl_crosshair_thickness 1 // thickness in pixels
cl_crosshair_gap 1 // distance from the centre
cl_crosshaircolor_r 0 // colour: red, green, blue, alpha 0–255
cl_crosshaircolor_g 255
cl_crosshaircolor_b 255
cl_crosshair_drawoutline 0 // 0 none, 1 full, 2 half
cl_crosshairdot 0 // 1 = centre dotWhat crosshairs pros use after the update
We looked at the first pro setups recorded after the update, from official matches and practice games in October 2026. The pattern is clear: almost everyone plays a small static cross, no outline, a length of 2–3 px and a gap of 1–2 px. Colours are cyan, green, teal or yellow — colours that stand out on every map.
Previews below are drawn to scale from each player’s reported settings (length · thickness · gap, in pixels at the player’s own resolution):
Pros change their settings often, and different databases sometimes disagree on colours. Treat these as starting points, not exact copies. Source: pro crosshair settings after the update, compiled by TurboSmurfs (October 2026).
How to choose your own crosshair
Three good starting points — try each for a few Deathmatch games:
- Size: small enough that it never covers a head at long range.
- Colour: pick one that contrasts with most maps. Green, cyan and yellow are the most popular.
- Outline: a thin outline helps on bright maps like Dust II or Anubis, but most pros play without one.
- Give it time: change one thing at a time and play several matches before you judge.
Sources
- Counter-Strike 2 update notes, September 22 – October 2, 2026 (official Steam news)
- How to change your crosshair in CS2 — Alphr
- Pro crosshair settings after the update — TurboSmurfs
FAQ
Why does my old CSGO- crosshair code not work anymore?
Valve changed the share-code format at the end of September 2026. New codes start with CS and have no dashes, and CS2 rejects the old CSGO- format. Rebuild the crosshair by hand in Settings → Crosshair/Scopes, or find a new-format code.
What is the best crosshair style in CS2?
Most professional players use a small static cross: it never moves, so it gives one steady point to aim with. The new default, Dynamic Quadrant, is useful for learning because it shows your weapon's real spread.
Where are the crosshair settings in CS2 now?
In the Settings menu, on the Crosshair/Scopes tab. It replaced the old crosshair section of the Game tab in the September 22, 2026 update.
Can I still use a negative gap?
In the menu, negative gaps only work with the Dynamic Cross (Classic) style. Static styles start at a gap of 0, so very tight pro crosshairs from before the update cannot be copied exactly.
