The Science of Aim: eDPI, cm/360, and Muscle Memory
In competitive gaming, consistency is the difference between a headshot and a miss. Changing games often ruins your muscle memory because developers use different mathematical scales for sensitivity. This True Sensitivity Calculator normalizes your aim across all engines.
1. What is eDPI and Why Does it Matter?
eDPI (Effective Dots Per Inch) is the "true" sensitivity of your mouse cursor. It allows you to compare sensitivities regardless of hardware settings.
The Formula
$$eDPI = \text{Mouse DPI} \times \text{In-Game Sensitivity}$$For example, a Valorant player using 800 DPI and 0.35 sensitivity has an eDPI of 280. A player using 400 DPI and 0.7 sensitivity also has an eDPI of 280. They will feel exactly the same.
2. The "cm/360" Metric: The Universal Standard
While eDPI is useful within a specific game, it doesn't translate well between games with different engines (e.g., Unreal vs. Source). The gold standard for cross-game consistency is cm/360.
This metric answers the question: "How many centimeters do I need to move my mouse to turn my character 360 degrees?"
- Low Sens (40cm+ / 360): Preferred by tactical shooter pros (CS:GO, Valorant) for micro-precision. Requires large mousepads and arm aiming.
- Medium Sens (25-40cm / 360): A balance between stability and reactivity. Common in battle royales like Apex Legends.
- High Sens (<25cm / 360): Favored by "wrist aimers" and arena shooter players (Overwatch, Quake) where instant 180° turns are vital.
The "Yaw" Factor
Every game engine interprets mouse input differently using a "Yaw" multiplier. CS:GO uses 0.022, while Overwatch uses 0.0066. This calculator handles the math so you don't have to guess.
3. How to Transfer Sensitivity (Example)
If you are a diamond Valorant player moving to Apex Legends, you don't want to "re-learn" how to aim.
- Select Valorant as Source. Enter your DPI (e.g., 800) and Sens (e.g., 0.3).
- Select Apex Legends as Target. Keep DPI the same.
- The tool calculates the equivalent sensitivity to ensure a 360° turn takes the exact same physical distance on your mousepad.
4. Finding Your Perfect Sensitivity
There is no "best" sensitivity, but there are optimal ranges. If your cm/360 is too low (e.g., 5cm), you physically cannot make micro-adjustments on pixels. If it is too high (e.g., 100cm), you cannot turn around fast enough to react to a flank.
Pro Tip: Most pros in tactical shooters land between 200 and 400 eDPI (on Valorant scale). Start there and adjust based on comfort.