How to Check your Mouse DPI [4 Easy Methods]
Let me start with some interesting data…People (especially gamers) in the United States have a curiosity to know their dpi and hence they search google for:
You might not know that I’m a good mind reader and the whole day I analyze people and their behavior
Here’s how I know…
The above data shows that among all the 4 queries, the most searched queries on Google are as follows:
- What is my dpi [Average 40]
- How to check mouse dpi [Average 33]
- How to find mouse dpi [Average 22]
- Dpi checker [Average just 16]
You can learn more about google trends. Simply google it Now, the purpose behind showing the data is just to let you know that you are not the only one who is looking to find your mouse dpi. So just relax, and read this complete guide that covers:
- What is Mouse DPI?
- How to check mouse dpi (using different methods)
- How does mouse dpi reading work?
- Online Mouse DPI Analyzer
- A simple guide on What DPI Should I use for Gaming and How High a DPI you actually need
- And a few faqs!
So with that being said, let me warn you before I start the guide…
What is Mouse DPI?
But here’s some useful info that you might not know…
DPI simply indicates “how sensitive the mouse sensor is”.
A point to note here is that I said “sensitive”, not “accurate”, as those are completely different things.
It’s simple, the higher DPI will move the cursor faster on the screen. Let’s understand this…
Each dot interacts directly with a single on-screen pixel.
Suppose, if you’re gaming in 1080p and you move your 1000 DPI mouse vertically just one inch, now, the cursor will have moved by 1000 pixels, which is almost the full height of the display.
And if we take the example of about a 2000 DPI mouse, in this case, the cursor would move from the top to the bottom of the screen in just half an inch – I hope you get the picture
A more sensitive mouse is usually good for gaming as the cursor – or more likely a crosshair – will react to even small movements of the mouse.
Do you know? Most people are obsessed with Higher DPI. (More on this later)Now you might say, Hey Kevin, I know all this stuff but what’s the use of this? Honestly speaking, it’s just the info a gamer should know and even though I know that most of the gamers know about it, this section was for new gamers or people who don’t know the basics.
It’s fairly easy to find out the mouse DPI, but it does require some trials and a bit of headache in finding it.
Now, let’s come to the main topic, which is
How to Check your Mouse DPI?
As I said above, it’s easier to say than to actually find mouse DPI, so let me break down 4 simple methods that will help you check your mouse DPI on Windows 10.
1. Check the Mouse Product Box or Sales Page
2. Use MS Paint to find out the DPI
3. Use one of the below mentioned online DPI analyzers
4. Check the DPI inside your mouse controlling software
Note: You don’t need to search for how to check your mouse dpi on windows 7,8 etc. All the methods provided below work on all windows, just do not hesitate to try.
Method 1: Check the Product box/ Description
Although this method won’t necessarily work for you, it’s worth checking before you scroll down to the other methods.
If you bought a branded or even a non-branded mouse, you have a chance that the DPI value is printed on the box the mouse came in.
If you don’t find the box, no worries. It’s very likely that you have bought it online so simply go to the product description page on the sales websites.
For now, if I check out the mouse on Amazon, the mouse DPI is clearly mentioned on the product page.
If you can find your mouse model number then you will definitely find it on the eCommerce sites.
Some expensive gaming mice have an adjustable mouse DPI ranging from 600 to 3600.
Most brands will have the sensitivity and DPI mentioned on their official websites. For example, popular brands like Corsair or Logitech most likely include it.
Corsair & Logitech mouse users would be very happy as DPI is easy to find with this method. Simply go to amazon and search for your model no. You’ll get it.
Well, I’m not a pro gamer, nor a teenager living a lavishing life, so I don’t invest in expensive devices and as a result, I’m using a non-branded mouse � bought from a local shop.
And hence couldn’t find my mouse dpi on the eCommerce sites nor on the product box.
It would be great if you share which mouse you are using i.e branded or non-branded.
Even though it was not necessary to find my mouse dpi, just for the sake of this tutorial, I researched a bit and found some of the methods by which you and I can check our mouse dpi instantly.
So, let me break down other methods…
Method 2: Use MS Paint to Find your Mouse DPI
Although weird, this method is one of the confusing ways to find your mouse dpi.
If you have read kinds of stuff online and you are still confused about how to actually use this method, I am sure you will get it here. (Remember I mentioned at the beginning of the post that this is a complete guide and I actually mean it)
So, here’s how it goes…
First, you should get a simple ruler and then mark two points separated by a distance of 1 inch (2.54 cm).You can do that on your mouse pad or any surface you are going to place your mouse.
Just like me, you can use a pencil on your table to mark the distance.
Next, disable pointer precision on your PC.
To do that, follow these steps
1. Go to the search box and type “Mouse”
2. In the best results, you’ll get “Mouse Settings”, click on it
3. Now, click on Additional mouse options which you can find in the right sidebar
4. Navigate to the Pointer Options tab.
5. Untick the enhance pointer precision box to disable it.
6. Now simply, click on the apply button and then OK.
Now you have successfully disabled the pointer precision. Just open Paint software on your PC.
Now, just follow the steps which may seem confusing, but if you practically do it then you’ll easily understand it.
STEP 1: Select the Pencil tool
STEP 2: Watch this 2 years old working tutorial
I can easily illustrate all the steps, but it will be much harder for you to understand and I don’t want you to scratch your head.
So that’s the reason I have attached a short video tutorial that demonstrates how to check your mouse dpi using ms paint.
I hope you understood that, if not then you might be confused. For those you didn’t understand, just move your mouse “1 inch” on the gamepad/table not on the screen. For a second just focus on the mouse and move it.
Repeat it at least 3-4 times to get the average DPI of your mouse.
For example, the video creator gets DPI of 1159, 1070, 1147, so you can now assume that your mouse dpi is 1000 or more than 1000, you won’t be able to figure out the exact numbers.
So don’t waste your time and get a rough idea.
If you find this method hard then you can move on to the next method…
Method 3: Use an Online DPI Analyzer
There are few online tools available that let you check your mouse dpi for free!
You can use any of the DPI Checkers to test your mouse dpi.
The benefit of using this method is it’s browser-based, so it doesn’t matter whether you want to check your mouse dpi on Windows 10 or Mac OS. This method works for everyone who has an active internet connection.
For the sake of this tutorial, I’m going to use an online DPI analyzer or rather say a calculator.
It’s free and easy to use, and more importantly not as confusing as the MS Paint method but it works similarly.
Just follow the steps below:
- First, visit this web page
- Scroll down to the DPI Analyzer section (just above this section you can find the Instructions)
- Enter 1 as the Target distance and all other settings unchanged.
- Now, you will see a red crosshair under these settings as shown below.
Once you complete the test, the tool will show your mouse DPI.
This is one of the easiest methods to find your mouse DPI and also a little more accurate than the above mentioned MS Paint method.
As I mentioned before, there are a number of such Online DPI testers but DPI Analyzer by Mouse-Sensitivity[dot]com is rated as the best.
It’s free, no strings attached. So I would recommend you check your mouse dpi using this DPI Analyzer.
Now let’s move to the final method…
Method 4: Use the DPI Settings Software
This is also the easiest way to find your mouse DPI, simply download the appropriate software from the manufacturer website.
In fact, if your mouse DPI is adjustable, you can use this method to change your mouse DPI to the one you want in real life.
You can download the software for Logitech mice (Windows & MAC OS) on Logitech G hub here.
If you are using Windows (without another brand), then you must download the Mouse and Keyboard center from here.
The image above is an example of Logitech’s G Hub software which allows you to control your Mouse DPI, sensitivity and other advanced things which I don’t know It’s really easy to find out your “actual DPI” without much work.
Woah! I have shown you almost all the known methods by which you can easily check your mouse DPI irrespective of your windows.
Whether you have successfully figured out your mouse DPI or not, you must read this additional info which will be very helpful.