Hand settings in CS:GO and CS2 are changed with viewmodel console commands: viewmodel_offset_x, viewmodel_offset_y and viewmodel_offset_z move the weapon along three axes, viewmodel_fov pulls the hands closer or pushes them away, and viewmodel_presetpos switches between ready-made layouts. These commands still work in Counter-Strike 2, while the CS:GO weapon bob commands (cl_bob and cl_viewmodel_shift) were removed. Below are all the parameters, ready-made presets and what changed with the move to CS2. If you only need the guide for the current game, see our separate article on how to set up hands in CS2.
The position of your hands and weapon on screen is called the viewmodel. It is defined in a three-dimensional coordinate system along three axes:
viewmodel_offset_x: the X-axis offset, from -2 to 2.5. The weapon moves from left to right; the stock shifts the most while the barrel stays nearly in place.
viewmodel_offset_y: the Y-axis offset, from -2 to 2. It visually lengthens or shortens the arms, bringing the weapon closer or pushing it away.
viewmodel_offset_z: the Z-axis offset, from -2 to 2. It lowers the weapon until only the barrel shows, or raises the hands higher. Extreme values are rarely comfortable.
The default values are viewmodel_offset_x 1, viewmodel_offset_y 1, viewmodel_offset_z -1 and viewmodel_fov 60. They are a good starting point; change one parameter at a time.
Basic Commands
Start with viewmodel_presetpos. It switches between layouts that match the options in the game menu. There are three values:
1: the standard position;
2: hands closer and larger;
3: the classic look, as in CS 1.6.
Type it in the console as viewmodel_presetpos 1 (2 or 3). If the console is not enabled yet, here is how to open the console in CS2.
The side your weapon is on is controlled by cl_righthand:
cl_righthand 1: weapon in the right hand;
cl_righthand 0: weapon in the left hand.
In CS2 you can also pick the hand directly in the game settings and bind a key to switch it quickly. Our guide on how to use the left hand in CS2 covers this step by step.
viewmodel_fov changes the field of view of the hand model from 54 to 68: the higher the value, the farther and smaller the weapon looks and the more of the map you see. It does not move the player camera.
In CS:GO, players who disliked the hands moving closer while running used cl_bob_lower_amt with values from 5 to 30 (lower means less movement). It no longer works in CS2.
Presets for Beginners
If you do not want to pick values by hand, start with one of these templates. They use viewmodel commands only, so they work in both CS:GO and CS2.
Weapon centered, hands as far from the screen as possible:
viewmodel_offset_x -2
viewmodel_offset_y 2
viewmodel_offset_z -2
viewmodel_fov 68
Full shift to the right, hands also as far away as possible:
viewmodel_offset_x 2
viewmodel_offset_y 2
viewmodel_offset_z -1
viewmodel_fov 68
A slightly modified standard layout with the hands pushed back a little:
viewmodel_offset_x 1
viewmodel_offset_y 2
viewmodel_offset_z -2
viewmodel_fov 68
A variant with a small forward shift and the weapon moved fully to the right:
viewmodel_offset_x 2
viewmodel_offset_y 2
viewmodel_offset_z -2
viewmodel_fov 68
A non-standard option: the weapon is shifted right and raised as high as possible. It is not for everyone, but some players find it comfortable:
viewmodel_offset_x 2
viewmodel_offset_y 2
viewmodel_offset_z 2
viewmodel_fov 68
Here is how maximum distance, close-up and medium arm length compare:
To keep your values from resetting, put them in an autoexec file; our guide on how to install a config in CS2 explains how.
Removing Weapon Bob: CS:GO vs CS2
In CS:GO you could control weapon sway while walking and running separately. These commands belong to CS:GO and were removed in CS2.
Sway while holding Shift (lower means less sway; allowed values were 0.5 to 2 and 0.25 to 2):
cl_viewmodel_shift_left_amt 0.5
cl_viewmodel_shift_right_amt 0.25
Sway while running normally (medium values that players adjusted in steps of 0.1):
cl_bob_lower_amt 5
cl_bobamt_lat 0.1
cl_bobamt_vert 0.1
cl_bobcycle 0.98
Counter-Strike 2 offers far fewer options for weapon sway. The ways that still exist are covered in our guide on how to remove hand shake in CS2.
Maps for Hand Settings in CS:GO
The CS:GO Steam Workshop had plenty of training maps that let you set the weapon position visually.
One of the best known is crashz' Viewmodel Generator. It is a CS:GO-era map, so it may not load in CS2. We explained how to install maps like this in our article on training maps.
The map lets you set the hand position precisely in small steps, which helps if console commands feel complicated. It also showed the layouts of well-known pro players.
s1mple's Hand Settings
The viewmodel settings s1mple used in CS:GO (2021 season data):
viewmodel_fov 68
viewmodel_offset_x 2.5
viewmodel_offset_y 0
viewmodel_offset_z -1.5
viewmodel_presetpos 3
cl_viewmodel_shift_left_amt 1.5
cl_viewmodel_shift_right_amt 0.75
viewmodel_recoil 0
cl_righthand 1
In CS2, the cl_viewmodel_shift_left_amt and cl_viewmodel_shift_right_amt lines no longer work; the other viewmodel values can be entered as they are. We do not recommend copying someone else's layout wholesale: players tune it for weeks, and it rarely suits another person.
s1mple's crosshair from the same period:
cl_crosshairalpha 255
cl_crosshaircolor 0
cl_crosshairdot 1
cl_crosshairgap -999
cl_crosshairsize 1
cl_crosshairstyle 4
cl_crosshairusealpha 1
cl_crosshairthickness 1
cl_crosshair_drawoutline 0
cl_crosshair_sniper_width 1
cl_crosshaircolor_b 0
cl_crosshaircolor_g 255
cl_crosshaircolor_r 0
His current crosshair code for CS2 is in our article on s1mple's crosshair, and the skins he uses are in s1mple's skin loadout. More game setup guides appear regularly on the LIS-SKINS blog.
FAQ
Do CS:GO hand commands work in CS2?
Yes, the core commands viewmodel_offset_x, viewmodel_offset_y, viewmodel_offset_z, viewmodel_fov and viewmodel_presetpos work in CS2. The cl_bob and cl_viewmodel_shift sway commands do not.
How do I move the hands farther from the screen?
Set viewmodel_fov 68 and raise viewmodel_offset_y to 2. To make the weapon block less of your view, also lower it with viewmodel_offset_z -2.
How do I switch the weapon to the left hand?
Type cl_righthand 0 in the console or choose the left hand in the CS2 settings, where you can also bind a key to switch hands quickly.
How do I save my hand settings?
Put the viewmodel commands in autoexec.cfg. It runs every time the game starts, so you will not have to type the values again.
