To switch to the left hand in CS2, open the game settings and set "Preferred viewmodel hand" (the dominant hand in first-person view) to left: your weapon will then be shown on the left side of the screen. The console command cl_righthand 0 does the same, and cl_righthand 1 brings the right hand back. The choice persists after a restart, and you can also bind a key to swap hands mid-match. Below are the steps, the bind and the commands that help you fine-tune the left-hand view.
Can you change the weapon hand in CS2?
Yes. CS:GO always had this option, but it was missing after the switch to CS2 in September 2023. Valve brought it back at the end of April 2024, and it is now available both in the menu and through the console.
A left-hand viewmodel suits left-handed players and anyone who prefers a less standard weapon position. It also keeps the right side of the screen clear, which helps when you hold an angle or a doorway on your right. The hand side has no effect on spread, recoil or damage; it is purely visual.
How to choose the weapon hand
To pick the hand you want in CS2:
Open the game settings (the gear icon in the upper left corner of the main menu).
Find the dominant hand option for the first-person view.
Select the left hand. The change applies immediately, no restart needed.
If you prefer the console, open it (see how to open the console in CS2) and enter:
cl_righthand 0 for the left hand;
cl_righthand 1 for the right hand.
How to keep the left hand permanently
The menu setting is saved with your game configuration, so the left hand stays after you relaunch or change maps. If you move your settings to another PC or reset your config often, it is safer to put the command in an autoexec: add the line cl_righthand 0 to autoexec.cfg. Creating and loading that file is covered step by step in our guide on how to install a config in CS2.
Binding a key to switch hands
CS2 has a separate action for swapping between the left and right hand instantly. It is usually bound to H by default, but you can change it:
open the game settings;
go to "Keyboard and Mouse";
select "Weapons";
find the option to switch the first-person hand and assign the key you want.
The bind is handy if you change sides depending on the position, for example switching to the left hand on angles that open to your right. The general rules for assigning keys are in our article on how to make a bind in CS2. One visual quirk to keep in mind: even with the left hand selected, the weapon shadow may still fall on the right.
Other hand commands in CS2
Besides the side, you can adjust where the hands sit on screen. This decides how much the weapon model gets in the way: a good position widens your effective view and reduces blind spots.
The viewmodel commands control the hand position. They let you push the hands toward the edge of the screen or bring them closer to the center, and they work with the left hand too:
viewmodel_fov "x" sets the viewmodel field of view; replace "x" with any number from 54 to 68;
viewmodel_offset_y 2.0 moves the hands forward so the arms look longer on screen;
viewmodel_offset_x moves the hands sideways: -2.0 shifts them left, 2.5 shifts them right.
For a full breakdown of every parameter and ready-made presets, see how to set up hands in CS2. If the weapon sway while moving bothers you, read how to remove hand shake, and the rest of the useful commands are collected in our list of CS2 console commands.
FAQ
How do I set the left hand in CS2 through the console?
Open the console and type cl_righthand 0. Type cl_righthand 1 to go back to the right hand.
Why does my left hand keep resetting?
The menu setting normally saves on its own. If the hand keeps returning to the right, check whether your autoexec.cfg or a downloaded config contains cl_righthand 1, and change it to cl_righthand 0.
Which key switches hands in CS2?
The hand switch is assigned under "Keyboard and Mouse", in the "Weapons" section. It is usually H, but you can rebind it to any free key.
Does the left hand give an advantage?
It does not affect shooting. The only benefit is visibility: with the weapon on the left, the right side of the screen stays clear, which helps on positions with angles to your right.
