How to Check Your Mouse DPI on Windows & Mac

PDF download Download Article
Find your DPI settings and how they affect your mouse’s sensitivity
PDF download Download Article

Do you want to find out your mouse DPI? DPI is measured by your mouse, while mouse sensitivity is a software setting. Gaming mice with high DPI settings can help gamers achieve high levels of accuracy. This wikiHow article teaches you how to check your mouse sensitivity on a Windows PC and Mac.

Things You Should Know

  • Use the DPI analyzer tool at https://www.mouse-sensitivity.com/dpianalyzer to quickly check your mouse's DPI.
  • DPI determines how far your cursor moves with your mouse movements. A higher mouse DPI results in better accuracy.
  • While DPI is determined by your mouse, the software on your computer determines mouse sensitivity.
Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Using a DPI Analyzer

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you are using a Windows PC, you will need to disable Enhanced Pointer Precision to get an accurate DPI reading. Use the following steps to do so: [1]
    • Click the Windows Start menu.
    • Type mouse settings .
    • Click Mouse Settings .
    • Click Additional Mouse Settings .
    • Click the Pointer Options tab.
    • Uncheck "Enhanced Pointer Precision."
    • Click Apply .
  2. You can use an online DPI calculator to estimate DPI based on the distance you move your mouse on your desk. You'll need to be accurate in your measurements, so begin by taking a ruler or measuring tape, tracing it on a sheet of paper, and then marking inches and centimeters across the sheet. This sheet of paper will become your temporary mouse pad.
    Advertisement
  3. Go to https://www.mouse-sensitivity.com/dpianalyzer . This is a gaming-focused DPI analyzer that helps you determine your mouse's true sensitivity level (DPI).
  4. Let's say we want to test the DPI by moving the mouse one inch. Set the "Units" drop-down to "Inches" and type "1" into the "Target distance" field.
  5. You'll want to move the mouse exactly the distance you entered in the "Target distance" field. So, if you entered 1 inch, click and drag the mouse one inch to the right to measure the DPI. When you lift the mouse button, the DPI of your mouse will appear in the "Actual DPI" field.
    • If your mouse has a dedicated DPI button, you can use it to increase or decrease sensitivity. If your mouse has a built-in screen, you'll see the DPI as you make adjustments. If it doesn't, you may be able to install the mouse's software to view and adjust the DPI.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Using Mouse Driver Software

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you have a high-end gaming mouse that supports high DPI or changeable DPI settings, it likely has support software you can download. Go to the manufacturer's web page and download the driver software for your mouse.
    • Not all mice have driver software.
  2. The location varies by manufacturer. It may be under the Settings option, the Performance option, or similar.
  3. The driver software should display the current DPI settings. It should also display some options to change the DPI settings if you want to.
    4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Using MS Paint (Windows)

PDF download Download Article
  1. You can either draw a ruler on paper and use the paper as a mouse pad, or place a ruler in front of your mouse. If you are using a sheet of paper, use a ruler to mark the inch lines accurately.
  2. To open MS Paint , click the Windows Start menu, type MS Paint , then click the MS Paint icon.
  3. There is a slider bar in the lower-right corner you can use to zoom in and out. Make sure the zoom level says "100%". If it does not, simply click the zoom level number and type 100 .
  4. Notice that it displays the height and width pixel coordinates in the lower-left corner. When the cursor is on the far left edge, the width coordinate reads "0".
  5. Make sure each line starts on the "0" width coordinate. Use your ruler or paper to measure the width of each line as you draw.
  6. To do so, place the mouse cursor on the far-right tip of each line. Write down the pixel width in the lower-left corner for each line.
  7. To determine the average pixel width of all three lines, add the pixel width of all three lines together to determine the sum. Then divide the sum by 3. This will tell you the approximate DPI of your mouse.
    8. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Change Sensitivity on Windows

PDF download Download Article
  1. A list of matching results will appear.
    • The Windows mouse settings don't permit you to view or specify the exact DPI of your mouse, but you can see (and adjust) the sensitivity visually on a slider, or use a DPI analyzer . [2]
  2. It’s the option with the outline of a gear on its left side.
  3. It’s in the right panel under the "Related settings" header on Windows 10. On Windows 11, it's below "Related Settings" near the bottom of the menu.
  4. It’s the third tab at the top of the window.
  5. The slider at the top displays the speed of your mouse cursor in response to your movement. A mouse that's more sensitive to your movement will have the slider moved more to the right. If the slider is more to the left, the mouse is less sensitive to your movement. You can use this slider to adjust the mouse sensitivity to your preference.
    6. Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Change Mouse Sensitivity on Mac

PDF download Download Article
  1. You'll find one of these two options on the Apple menu.
    • Although your Mac doesn't allow you to find exactly which DPI your mouse is set to, you can adjust the sensitivity with a slider and then use a DPI analyzer to check the value.
  2. On newer macOS versions, it's in the sidebar menu to the left. On older versions of macOS, it's in the second row of icons. [3]
  3. The Tracking Speed slider shows you the speed of the mouse cursor in response to your movement. Drag the slider right to increase the cursor speed as you move the mouse, or left to slow it down. [4]
    • On older macOS versions, you will need to click the Point & Click tab at the top of the page.
    4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I know what my exact DPI is?
    Community Answer
    Using a DPI analyzer and a mousepad with exact inch increments drawn below the mouse, configure the analyzer to travel the exact distance you wish under a DPI close to the current DPI you have configured. The analyzer will keep track of the exact DPI you are using. Google an analyzer but be careful to avoid downloading any malicious software. The analyzer should be embedded on the website.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 8
  • Question
    I need DPI for Mac, not tracking speed.
    krissCpoo kcp
    Community Answer
    Click the Apple icon in the upper-left corner of your screen. Select System Preferences... from the dropdown menu. Click on Mouse in the System Preferences window. Click the Point & Click usually located in the upper center screen. The Tracking Speed slider value is going to be the value you’re looking for or to set.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 37 Helpful 4
  • Question
    What about the exact dpi?
    Hassan Mohammed
    Community Answer
    That's not possible until you actually have a branded mouse which hosts a software that can show you your dpi (exact digits) and change them. Windows has no function that shows your exact dpi. You have to check the manufacturer’s specifications
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 8
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      6 Easy Ways to Use Shortcut Keys to Shut Down a Windows PC
      5 Quick Ways to Change Your Desktop Wallpaper on Windows
      How to
      Bring an Off Screen Window Back on Windows
      6 Simple Ways to Create a .ZIP File from Files or Folders
      How to
      Copy and Paste on Any Device
      4 Easy Ways to Paste Text Using Keyboard Shortcuts
      How to
      Automatically Shut Down Your Computer at a Specified Time
      How to
      Change a File Extension
      3 Easy Ways to Merge Objects in Blender: Step-by-Step
      3 Easy Ways to Customize EXE Program Icons in Windows
      How to
      Copy and Paste a Link
      How To Refresh a Webpage: Desktop & Mobile
      How to
      Select All
      How to
      Open XML
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpuhy_QVZx4
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-do-i-change-mouse-sensitivity-dpi-11c0e36c-e348-526b-fdde-80c5d41f606f
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-your-mouses-response-speed-mchlp1138/mac
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-your-mouse-or-trackpads-response-speed-mchlp1138/mac
      5. ↑ https://xoticpc.com/blogs/news/mouse-dpi-sensitivity

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open your Windows Mouse settings.
      2. Click Additional mouse options .
      3. Click Pointer Options .
      4. Find the sensitivity under "Motion."
      5. Go to https://www.mouse-sensitivity.com/dpianalyzer to find the DPI.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 516,445 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement