The DPI of a mouse determines its sensitivity. DPI stands for dots per inch, so a mouse with a college DPI will move the cursor on screen further than a lower-DPI mouse when both are moved the aforementioned distance.

This is a problem if yous're a gamer, though this article isn't going to get into the debate of whether a lower or college DPI setting is best. Games often allow you lot use a higher DPI with a lower sensitivity so yous motion the mouse the same altitude: this is useful if you're changing mouse or playing a dissimilar game and don't want to have to relearn that musculus retentivity for turning 360°, for example. There are even online calculators that can translate your settings from one game to another.

Many gaming mice take buttons that let you switch DPI on the wing while you're playing, too, but what if you don't know your mouse's DPI? Or you don't know the DPI settings it switches between?

It tin exist catchy to detect out with some mice, but here are a few ways you tin can determine the DPI of your mouse.

ane. Check the manufacturer'southward specifications

The well-nigh obvious thing yous can do is search online for your brand and model. Unless information technology's an unbranded mouse, there's a hazard you'll detect a spec canvass which lists the DPI effigy.

How to check mouse DPI

Typically, this will exist the highest DPI on offer rather than the range the mouse supports, but some manufacturers including Logitech specify the range.

2. Install the drivers

Again, unless you have an unbranded mouse which relies solely on Windows' stock mouse driver you should be able to download the appropriate software from the manufacturer'southward website.

This usually gives you many more options than the built-in Windows ones, including the power to change what all the buttons practise and – relevant here – choose the DPI setting.

When you lot install the drivers for your mouse, you typically also go a standalone app which you can run to become to all the settings and options.

The DPI setting will exist in a different location in each manufacturer'due south app so you might have to search around to discover it.

How to check mouse DPI

For example, in Logitech's Gaming Software yous have to click on the icon with a pointer and a cog. With a G402 mouse, it's possible to set to five different DPI levels, but the mouse itself has just three LEDs to indicate which level is selected.

Y'all can likewise customise the actual DPI settings for each level – a mutual feature on gaming mice.

Mouse acceleration

Notation that it's of import for gamers to uncheck acceleration, because otherwise the distance you move the mouse won't necessarily stand for to on-screen movements: dispatch means the faster yous move the mouse, the more the arrow (or your character) moves.

Some mouse software has the option, but you'll find information technology in the Windows 10 Command Console (not the Settings app). Go to Hardware & Sound > Devices & Printers > Mouse. Then click the pointer options tab and uncheck Enhance pointer precision.

How to check mouse DPI

iii. Employ an online DPI calculator

If you nonetheless can't notice your mouse'due south DPI, use this online DPI tool to gauge the value.

To use information technology, you beginning need to untick 'Raise pointer precision' as outlined above, equally this dispatch will render the measurement meaningless.

If you have mouse driver software installed, make sure any pointer acceleration is disabled in that location too.

Now caput to the Real Mouse DPI Analyzer page if you oasis't already and double-check the other requirements and limitations.

Mensurate the rough altitude that you lot demand to movement your mouse to make the pointer get from the left side of the screen to the right. Utilise a ruler, as you must enter the altitude into the 'Target altitude' box on the website.

Since y'all don't know your mouse's DPI you can't put a value in the Configured DPI box.

Now click on the red crosshair at the bottom of the page and drag it to the correct, moving your mouse the distance you specified in Target distance. Yous don't have to move fast: the idea is to be accurate.

Make sure your arrow does non reach the edge of the monitor: it doesn't matter if it goes by the edge of your browser window, but moving the mouse afterward the cursor has reached the edge of the display will make the result incorrect.

How to check mouse DPI

When you allow go of the push button, a figure volition appear by 'Actual DPI'. This shows the estimate DPI value that your mouse is currently set to.

How practice I alter my mouse DPI and sensitivity?

A lot of mice have buttons to change the DPI setting. Some even have displays which show the current setting, while others don't.

If your mouse doesn't have any buttons, or they're not doing what you want, and then open your mouse software (if installed) and look for options to change the DPI. You lot should be able to specify and verbal DPI setting, or fifty-fifty multiple settings if your mouse supports that and has buttons to toggle between those settings.

For those without dedicated mouse software, use the Command Console settings detailed above and adjust the Pointer speed slider until you like how much your cursor is moving.

Alternatively, utilise the Windows 10 Settings app, click Devices, then Mouse and y'all'll notice a Cursor speed slider which does the same affair.

If yous decide your current mouse isn't up to the job, nosotros've got a load of recommendations in our roundup of the best gaming mice.