How to Show FPS in CS2
Updated October 10, 2026 · MyCS2Guru crew
Knowing your FPS helps you tune settings and spot problems. Here's how to show it in CS2.
Method 1: Settings
Settings, Game, Telemetry. Set Show Frame Rate to Always or Show when poor.
Method 2: Console
cl_showfps 1shows a simple FPS counter.cq_netgraph 1shows FPS plus network info.
Method 3: Steam overlay
Steam, Settings, In Game, In-game FPS counter. Pick a corner.
What's a good FPS?
| Monitor | Aim for |
|---|---|
| 60Hz | 120+ |
| 144Hz | 200+ |
| 240Hz | 300+ |
See our FPS guide if you need more.
Understanding what the numbers mean
Your FPS counter shows how many frames your PC renders each second. But the number alone doesn't tell the whole story:
- Average FPS is the typical number you see.
- 1% lows are the worst frames, the drops you feel in fights.
- Frame time is how long each frame takes, in milliseconds. Consistent frame times feel smooth.
A game at a steady 200 FPS often feels better than one jumping between 400 and 120.
Using the performance graph
cq_netgraph 1 shows FPS alongside network information. Watch it during a smoke-heavy fight or a big retake. If your FPS dips hard every time a smoke pops, lower particle and shader settings.
What to do with your FPS info
| FPS situation | What to try |
|---|---|
| Below your refresh rate | Lower settings, check drivers, close background apps |
| Big drops in fights | Lower particles, shaders and shadows |
| Random stutters | Check SSD install, RAM and temperatures |
| Plenty of FPS | Consider raising shadows for visibility |
Capping FPS
Use fps_max to cap your FPS. Uncapped (fps_max 0) gives the lowest input latency, but a cap slightly below your average can make frame times more stable. If you use G-Sync or FreeSync, cap a few frames under your refresh rate.
Other monitoring tools
- Steam overlay FPS counter: simple and reliable.
- GPU software overlays: NVIDIA and AMD apps can show FPS, GPU usage and temperature.
- Third-party monitors: show CPU and GPU usage to find bottlenecks.
Checking CPU vs GPU bottlenecks
Lower your resolution and see if FPS rises. If it barely changes, your CPU is likely the bottleneck. If it jumps a lot, your GPU was holding you back. This helps you decide which settings or hardware upgrades will help most. Read our full FPS guide for more.
More quick tips
Check out our other quick tips and in-depth guides.
Quick recap
Use cl_showfps 1 for a simple counter or cq_netgraph 1 for the full picture. Watch your 1% lows during fights, not just your average, and fix the biggest problems first.
Related guides
Pro tip
Check your FPS on the busiest map in your pool during a heavy utility moment. That's your real worst case.
Why it matters
You can't fix what you can't measure. An FPS counter turns guesswork into data, so every settings change you make has a clear result. Leave it on for a few days after any change to make sure performance stays stable across different maps and situations.
What affects FPS the most in CS2
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Resolution | Very high |
| MSAA | High |
| Shadow quality | Medium to high |
| Ambient occlusion | Medium |
| Particle detail during utility | Medium in fights |
| Background apps | Low to high |
| Drivers | Varies |
| Temperatures and throttling | Can be severe |
Use your FPS counter while changing these one at a time to see which matters most on your PC.
FPS vs ping: don't confuse them
FPS is how fast your PC draws frames. Ping is how long it takes data to travel between you and the server. High FPS with high ping still feels laggy because your actions arrive late. Low FPS with low ping feels choppy. cq_netgraph 1 shows both so you can tell which one is the problem.
Quick fixes when FPS suddenly drops
- Restart CS2. Memory leaks and shader issues can build up.
- Close your browser and other heavy apps.
- Check that your laptop is plugged in and in performance mode.
- Make sure your GPU drivers didn't auto-update with problems.
- Verify CS2 game files in Steam.
Recommended FPS settings to try
If your FPS is low, start with these quick changes and check your counter after each one:
- Ambient occlusion: Disabled.
- Particle detail: Low.
- Shader detail: Low.
- Shadows: Medium.
- MSAA: 2x.
These usually give a big FPS boost without hurting visibility much. For the full breakdown, read our video settings guide.
Show FPS FAQ
- Why is my FPS counter showing a different number from Steam's? They sample differently. Use one consistently.
- Should I leave the counter on during matches? Many players do. It helps spot problems right away.
- Does high FPS really matter? Yes, it lowers input lag and makes aiming feel smoother.