How to Change FOV in CS:GO

CSGO was released all the way back in August of 2012. That seems ages ago, especially if you’ve played the game recently. And if you have, you might’ve realized something very important.

You can actually change your FOV (field of view) in CSGO. Unlike many other games, where you can freely change your FOV in-game settings, changing the FOV in CSGO is different. I myself played this game for years without realizing this.

Read on for more details about my shameful late discovery.

What Is FOV and Why Does It Matter?

Field of view is extremely important in video games, especially in multiplayer games, even more so in first-person shooters like CSGO. In games like these, you need any advantage you can get, especially if you can have that advantage for free.

FOV basically expands your viewpoint, increasing the distance between your player model and your screen. Put simply, the higher the FOV, the more information you receive by simply looking at your screen.

Many games allow you to have higher FOV, and they have in-game settings that allow you to tinker with this important option. Sadly, CSGO doesn’t offer such a luxury. In this game, you have to jump through hoops to change this vital setting, alongside many other important features.

How to Change Your FOV in CSGO

Changing the FOV in CSGO isn’t difficult at all. It’s just been overlooked since the default value for FOV (which is 60) seems decent enough. If you’re just a casual player, you’re unlikely to even search for this option.

For the life of me, I have no idea why Valve decided to set the default value for FOV in CSGO below the maximum. Yes, 60 is the default FOV in most games, but anyone in their right mind would want the highest FOV possible, in any game, including CSGO.

The difference with the instructions we’re about to provide isn’t too big, but it can often mean life or death, especially in such an intense FPS game. Follow the steps to change your CSGO FOV:

1. Launch Steam and open CSGO.
2. Click on the Settings (gear) icon to the left of your screen.
3. Go to Game Settings (Game tab).
4. Click the dropdown menu next to Enable Developer Console (`) and select Yes.
   
5. If you already had the console enabled in-game, there’s only more thing left to do. Type in the following into the console: (press the button below ESC on your keyboard, that looks like this ` or this ~) viewmodel_fov 68 and press Enter.
   

The Results

After you’ve done this, hop onto a server. You can also do this while in-game, so you have a better look at the difference between 60 and 68 FOV, which is the maximum value in CSGO. Unfortunately, the value doesn’t get higher than that, but nonetheless, you’ll notice the difference.

Here are some screenshots for comparison. This image is taken with the default FOV value (60).

Here’s a picture of the 68 FOV view model. The difference is more than obvious, don’t you think?

If you ever felt frustrated because the enemy somehow saw you before you saw them, at least now you know that it could have been because they had a higher or better FOV than you did.

Additional Tips for CSGO

You and I will both surely see at least some improvement in our CSGO form after increasing the FOV. Even though this is a great change for the better, there are some other things you should have in mind when playing.

When peeking an angle, or holding one, try to be as far away as you can from the same angle, if that makes sense. Don’t ever stand close to a wall or door, rather hold a reasonable distance. When you’re closer to an angle, an enemy is more likely to see your first.

If you keep your distance, you can also retreat and move behind cover more quickly than your opponent. Sometimes this can mean the difference between life and death (in CSGO).

Finally, we highly recommend playing on a 144 or 240 Hz monitor, if you have the PC to support it. This, combined with low ping, will make you a force to be reckoned with in any fps game, especially CSGO.

Always Have an Advantage

CSGO is an incredibly fast and skill-based game, where everything matters, even the smallest of details. If you want to be successful in any game, always try to outsmart your opponent and make them play at a disadvantage.

This will allow you to win more easily, instead of trying to take incredible shots and only use your reflexes. The field of view matters the most in shooter games. If you want to play competitively and improve at the game, we recommend cranking it up to the maximum.

Leave your comments and questions on the matter in the section below.