In CS2, your radar is more than just a flashy circle in the corner of your screen—it’s your command center. It tracks teammates, enemies, objectives, and the map layout, all while giving you critical information to outplay your opponents. So, let’s break down everything you need to know about CS2 radar settings, from console commands to tips on finding the perfect setup. By the end of this guide, your radar won’t just be a tool—it’ll be your secret weapon.

Contents

• CS2 Radar Settings: Console Commands
  • Adjusting the Size of the Radar
  • Changing the Radar Zoom
  • Centering the Radar
  • Rotating the Radar
  • Optimizing Icon Size
  • Displaying Square Radar with Scoreboard
• Pro Players’ CS2 Radar Settings
• Why Customize Your Radar in CS2?
• Using Autoexec for CS2 Radar Settings

CS2 Radar Settings: Console Commands

Before we dive into the specific commands, you’ll need to enable and use the developer console to adjust your radar. Here’s a quick refresher:

1. Go to Settings > Game and enable the Developer Console (~).
2. Open the console in-game by pressing the ~ key (located under the Esc key).
3. Type in the commands listed below and hit Enter to apply them instantly.

If you’d rather use the in-game options and skip commands altogether, you can find radar settings under Settings > Game > Radar in the CS2 menu. 

Now you’re ready to take control of your radar!

1. Adjusting the Size of the Radar

The size of your radar and the icons on it can make or break your map awareness. If your radar is too small, you might miss important details. If it’s too large, it can clutter your screen. 

To adjust the size of the radar in relation to the other elements of the HUD, use this command:

cl_hud_radar_scale [value]

Replace [value] with a number between 0.8 (small) and 1.3 (large). The default value is 1, and for most players, this setting strikes a nice balance between visibility and screen space. Still, it’s always a good idea to experiment and see what works best for you.

2. Changing the Radar Zoom

The radar scale, or radar zoom, determines how zoomed in or out your radar appears. So, it doesn’t change how big the radar itself is (that’s the previous command), just how much zoom is applied. 

A zoomed-out radar shows more of the map, which is great for tracking rotations, while a zoomed-in radar focuses on your immediate area.

Command:

cl_radar_scale [value]

Replace [value] with a number between 0.25 (fully zoomed out) and 1 (fully zoomed in). The default setting is 0.7. 

Tip: For balanced gameplay, try cl_radar_scale 0.5. This gives you a broader view of the map without losing sight of your surroundings.

3. Centering the Radar

Do you like being the center of attention? By default, your radar keeps you in the middle, but this limits how much of the map you can see ahead of you. Disabling this can give you a better overview of the action in front of you.

Commands:

cl_radar_always_centered 1 – Keeps you in the center of the map (default)
cl_radar_always_centered 0 – The radar adjusts dynamically, showing more of the map ahead

Tip: Set this to 0 if you’re playing aggressively or holding long sightlines, as it lets you see further into enemy territory.

4. Rotating the Radar

Some players prefer a static radar, while others like it to rotate as they move. A rotating radar aligns with your view, making it easier to track what’s directly in front of you.

Commands: 

cl_radar_rotate 1 – Radar rotates with your movement (default)
cl_radar_rotate 0 – Radar stays static, and your position moves within it

The vast majority of players prefer a rotating radar. Static radars can make it more difficult to quickly check your surroundings. Still, try both settings and stick with what feels more intuitive for your playstyle!

5. Optimizing Icon Size

The character icons on your radar, indicating your position on the map and the positions of other players, is one of the most important visual cues for making quick decisions in CS2. If the icon is too small, you might struggle to spot your icon during intense moments, but if it’s too large, it can take up unnecessary space and clutter the radar. Fortunately, you can adjust the size of just this icon to suit your preferences, helping you maintain a clear and functional radar. 

Command: 

cl_radar_icon_scale_min [value]

Replace [value] with a number between 0.4 (small) and 1 (large). The default value is 0.7. There’s no single “best” setting here, as it’s a matter of preference, but in general, smaller icons can reduce clutter, but larger icons are easier to spot in the heat of battle.

6. Displaying Square Radar with Scoreboard

By default, the radar is circular, but it can change to a square shape when the scoreboard is open. (You can view the scoreboard by pressing Tab.) This subtle tweak gives you extra map visibility during those moments you’re checking stats.

Commands: 

cl_radar_square_with_scoreboard 1 – Radar becomes square when the scoreboard is open
cl_radar_square_with_scoreboard 0 – Radar remains circular

This setting is optional but can be handy if you want to maximize map visibility while multitasking.

Pro Players’ CS2 Radar Settings

Curious what CS2 radar settings the pros use? Here’s a list of the HLTV Top 20 Counter-Strike players of 2023, along with their radar settings (as listed on ProSettings.net): 

Player	Centered	Rotating	Size	Zoom
ZywOo	No	Yes	0.8	0.4
NiKo	Yes	Yes	1	0.4
ropz	Yes	Yes	1	0.6
m0NESY	Yes	Yes	0.91	0.4
Spinx	Yes	Yes	1	0.7
SunPayus	Yes	Yes	1	0.4
s1mple	Yes	Yes	0.83	0.45
sh1ro	Yes	Yes	1	0.25
stavn	Yes	Yes	1	0.7
broky	No	Yes	1	0.4
device	Yes	Yes	1.1	0.5
frozen	Yes	Yes	0.9	0.4
huNter	Yes	Yes	1	0.7
NertZ	Yes	Yes	1	0.9
jabbi	Yes	Yes	1	0.5
blameF	Yes	Yes	1	0.3
Magisk	Yes	Yes	1	0.3
cadiaN	Yes	Yes	1	0.25
kscerato	Yes	Yes	0.9	0.6
Twistzz	Yes	Yes	1	0.9

As you can see, the settings vary, although there are some key similarities: 

• Rotating radar centered on the player: 100% of pro players from this list use a rotating radar, and almost all (90%) have the radar centered on the player. 
• Medium-sized radar: Players from the list tend to use a size setting that’s in the middle of the range. 1 is the most common value—it’s also the default in the game. 
• Lower zoom: The most common zoom setting is 0.4 (30% of players from the list), and few players go above 0.7, meaning that in general, they prefer a relatively zoomed-out radar. 

Of course, this is just a small sample of players—but it’s always interesting to see what settings the top pros are using! 

Why Customize Your Radar in CS2?

Customizing your radar isn’t just for show; it’s about maximizing efficiency and clarity. The default settings work for some players, but they’re not perfect for everyone. For example, if you’re someone who plays aggressively and always pushes into enemy territory, you might want a zoomed-out radar to see more of the map. On the other hand, a defensive player might prefer a more focused radar to keep an eye on immediate surroundings.

By tweaking radar settings, you can:

• See more of the map to anticipate enemy movements.
• Quickly locate teammates for better coordination.
• Gain better control over your awareness in critical situations.

Think of the radar as your personalized battlefield overview. With a little fine-tuning, you’ll always be a step ahead.

Using Autoexec for CS2 Radar Settings

You don’t have to type in these commands manually every time you launch CS2. Instead, you can add your chosen CS2 radar settings to your autoexec, which is a config file that launches automatically with the game. 

Create a new file in the Notepad app and name it autoexec.cfg. Make sure that it’s actually a .cfg file, not just a .txt file with .cfg in the name. Paste your chosen commands into this file, then place it in this location: 

C:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/steamapps/common/Counter-Strike 2/game/csgo/cfg

If all goes well, your CS2 radar settings should now load automatically, from the commands you’ve used in the autoexec. 

Read more: CS2 Autoexec: Location, Commands & Guide

With the right CS2 radar settings, you’ll not only improve your map awareness, but also give yourself an edge over opponents who are stuck with default configurations. Play around with these commands, find what works best for your style, and watch your gameplay level up!