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CS:GO - Best radar settings

How to set up the perfect radar in CS:GO.

CS:GO really is one of a kind when it comes down to customisation options. You're able to build the game's HUD in almost any way you see fit, even to the point of altering the way your character model bobs when walking.

Naturally, this level of customisation extends to the radar at the top-right of your screen. If you've ever watched top players on Twitch, or tuned into highlights on YouTube, you'll probably have noticed that they're not using the default radar.

Instead, they're able to see the entire map which gives them as much information as possible, and information is one of, if not the most precious commodities in CS:GO.

We'd highly recommend having a radar which allows you to spy the whole map. It gives you constant, reliable information on where your teammates and threats are positioned - especially if you're unfamiliar with a certain map. We'd even go so far as to say that it's absolutely essential to ditch the default radar, and swap to the one we're outlining here if you want to get competitive.

How do I setup a new radar?

Below we’re going to outline how to get a radar that allows you to see the entire map, but to do so you’ll need to set up an autoexec file. For a complete walkthrough of this process, make sure you have a read through our How to create an auto-exec file in CS:GO page as it’s the key to customising the game to your liking.

Finally, we’re giving credit to tobyscs.com for the console commands used here to get the perfect radar setup. We’ve been using this very template ourselves for ages, and can’t see ourselves ever going back to the default settings!

More popular CS:GO guides:

Best Radar Settings

Simply copy and paste all the console commands we’ve listed below and place them into your autoexec file to tweak your radar permanently.

So, without further ado here’s a list of all the console commands you’ll need:

New Radar

  • cl_radar_always_centered “0” - Means you’ll be able to see more of the map in general.
  • cl_radar_scale “0.3” - Scales the map down, zooming it out so you’ll be able to see more. Tweak this to your liking, but 0.3 is a great starting point.
  • cl_hud_radar_scale “1.15” - Scales up the radar HUD, meaning that you should be able to see a few more details despite having zoomed out the map slightly with the previous command.
  • cl_radar_icon_scale_min “1” - Makes the icons on the maps bigger.
  • cl_radar_rotate “1” - This is a default setting.
  • cl_radar_square_with_scoreboard “1” - Again, another default setting.

All of these commands will move you away from the default map and allow you to see more of the map clearly, so you can identify where enemies and teammates are much more easily.

It’s also worth mentioning that you can tweak the numbers within your autoexec file if you’re not entirely happy with some aspects of your new radar. Commit to some trial and error testing and you’ll find your personal sweet spots soon enough.

If you’re not a fan of the new settings or need to completely restart the process for whatever reason, here’s a list of default radar settings so you can revert things back to how they were:

Default Radar

  • cl_radar_always_centered “1”
  • cl_radar_scale “0.7”
  • cl_hud_radar_scale “1”
  • cl_radar_icon_scale_min “0.6”
  • cl_radar_rotate “1”
  • cl_radar_square_with_scoreboard “1”

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Ed Thorn avatar

Ed Thorn

Reviews Editor

When Ed's not cracking thugs with bicycles in Yakuza, he's likely swinging a badminton racket in real life. Any genre goes, but he's very into shooters and likes a weighty gun, particularly if they have a chainsaw attached to them. Adores orange and mango squash, unsure about olives.

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