Mouse DPI Test

Measure your mouse's real DPI with a ruler. Enter a distance, move the mouse exactly that far, and the test works out the counts per inch.

  1. Put a ruler on your desk and line up the edge of your mouse with zero.
  2. Press Start. The pointer hides while the test reads your mouse.
  3. Slide the mouse exactly the distance above, keeping it straight.
  4. Click any button to save the run. Repeat a few times for a steadier average.
Average DPI
–
0 runs
Spread
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Highest minus lowest run
Last run
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DPI

How to measure your mouse DPI

  1. Turn off pointer acceleration (see below) so the count doesn't depend on speed.
  2. Put a ruler or tape measure on your mouse pad. Pick a distance you can move in one smooth slide, such as 2 inches or 5 cm.
  3. Line up one edge of the mouse with zero, press Start, and slide the mouse until the same edge reaches your mark. Keep it flat and don't lift it.
  4. Click to save the run. Do at least three runs and use the average. A small spread between runs means a reliable result.

How the test works

DPI (dots per inch), also called CPI (counts per inch), is how many movement counts your mouse sends for each inch it travels. The test uses pointer lock, which hides the pointer and gives the page the movement from each mouse report, without stopping at the edge of the screen. It adds up those counts during your slide and divides by the distance:

DPI = counts ÷ distance in inches

Centimeters are converted with 1 inch = 2.54 cm. The count uses the straight-line distance between where you started and where you stopped, so a slightly crooked slide still counts correctly, but wobbling back and forth doesn't add extra counts. Nothing is uploaded.

Where the browser allows it, the test asks for unadjusted movement, which skips your operating system's pointer acceleration. Chromium-based browsers support this on some systems. Other browsers ignore the request, so you'll get the most accurate result with acceleration turned off.

Turn off pointer acceleration and check scaling

Expected counts for common DPI settings

If your mouse is set to one of these DPI values, a run over each distance should give roughly these counts (DPI × inches).

DPI1 in2 in5 cm10 cm
4004008007871,575
8008001,6001,5753,150
16001,6003,2003,1506,299
32003,2006,4006,29912,598

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Frequently asked questions

How do I find my mouse DPI without software?

Move your mouse a measured distance along a ruler while this test counts the movement, then divide the counts by the distance in inches. Do three or more runs and use the average. Turn off pointer acceleration first, or the result will depend on how fast you move.

Why is my measured DPI different from my mouse's setting?

Small differences are normal: sensors aren't perfectly calibrated, and a run that isn't quite the full distance or quite straight changes the count. Big differences usually come from pointer acceleration or display scaling. Turn both off, keep the mouse flat on the pad and repeat a few runs.

Is DPI the same as CPI?

Yes, for mice they mean the same thing. CPI (counts per inch) is the more accurate name, because a mouse reports movement counts, not printed dots. Most brands use DPI in their software.

What DPI should I use for gaming?

There's no single best DPI. What matters is how far you move the mouse for a full turn in game, which depends on DPI and in-game sensitivity together. Use the sensitivity converter to see your cm/360 and eDPI, and keep that the same when you change DPI.

Does Windows "Enhance pointer precision" affect DPI?

It doesn't change your mouse's DPI, but it changes how far the pointer moves for the same counts depending on speed. That can throw off this test when raw input isn't available. Turn it off in Mouse Properties under Pointer Options before measuring.

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