What Is DPI?
DPI (CPI, Counts per inch): How many movement counts a mouse sensor reports for each inch it travels; higher DPI moves the cursor further per inch.
Definition
For mice, DPI (dots per inch) — more precisely CPI (counts per inch) — is how many movement counts the sensor reports for every inch the mouse moves. At 800 DPI, moving the mouse one inch reports 800 counts, which moves the cursor about 800 pixels at default system settings.
Typical Values
- 400–1600 DPI: most competitive FPS players, paired with low in-game sensitivity.
- 1600–3200 DPI: common for everyday use on high-resolution screens.
- Above 3200 DPI: rarely needed; some sensors add smoothing at very high settings.
Higher DPI Isn’t “Better”
DPI only sets how fast the cursor moves. A higher number isn’t more accurate by itself. What matters is choosing a speed you control well — and for games, the combination of DPI and in-game sensitivity, called eDPI.
Advertised vs Real DPI
Sensors are rarely exact. A mouse set to 800 DPI may really report 760 or 840 counts per inch. Mousepad surface and sensor height also affect it. Measure your real value with the DPI analyzer.
Measure It
Related Terms
Part of the TapTest glossary · More in mouse tests.