Simple Radar, often called "s1mple's radar," is a free radar map mod: instead of the default overview it shows clean walls, boxes and barrels in real proportions, calm colors, highlighted bomb sites and labels for every callout. Despite the nickname, the mod has nothing to do with the player s1mple; the name simply sounds like his. It was built for CS:GO, where you installed it by replacing files in the overviews folder, and for CS2 you should check support on the author's official site, readtldr.gg. Below is why this radar helps, how it was installed, which radar console commands work in CS2 and where to download the mod.
Why Configure the Radar
The way your radar is set up affects how quickly you read a situation, especially against strong opponents. Rounds are often decided in split seconds, and a cluttered or hard-to-read radar makes it harder to track teammates and enemies. Compared to the default, a custom radar offers the following advantages:
The map displays all objects in detail, including barrels and boxes.
Instead of generic symbols, it uses images of objects that keep their real proportions.
Wall corners are drawn with clean lines, which makes movement easier to judge.
Calm colors don't strain the eyes even in long sessions.
Specific zones, such as bomb sites, are marked with color.
Every important location on the map is labeled.
A radar like this makes it easier to plan your movement, give and understand callouts, coordinate with teammates and anticipate where an enemy might come from.
The mod only changes the map image and shows nothing beyond what the default radar already shows, which is why CS:GO players used it in competitive matches, including on FACEIT. In CS2, install any game-file change only from the official source and only if the author states support for the current version.
How to Install the Radar
In CS:GO, installation was simple. You downloaded the radar archive and extracted it. Inside were two folders, "01 default" and "02 spectate," with the files that define the radar image for each map.
Those folders were copied into the overviews folder in the game directory. In CS:GO the path looked roughly like this:
/Steam/steamapps/common/Counter-Strike Global Offensive/csgo/resource/overviews
The easiest way to find the game folder on your PC is through Steam: the game's properties include a "Browse Local Files" option. You can also open File Explorer and go to your Steam Library folder manually.
Because the files you copy have the same names as the existing ones, the system asks you to confirm the replacement. Back up the original files to a separate folder first so you can restore the default radar later.
Then launch the game. It's best to start a bot match first, check how the radar looks and tweak the settings. CS2 stores its game files differently from CS:GO, so the old overviews path does not apply there; check the mod's page on the author's site for current installation steps and supported maps.
Radar Configuration via Console
Even without mods, you can improve the radar noticeably with commands in the CS2 console. The cl_radar_* commands are still in the game and let you:
turn the radar on and off;
choose where your icon sits (it is centered by default, but turning centering off gives a better view near map edges);
change icon size;
keep the radar fixed or make it rotate;
adjust the map scale;
control how the bomb is shown.
You can also set up binds that change the radar scale mid-game. To find the values that suit you, load a map with bots, open the console and try different options. Run through several maps and check how readable the radar is and how clear the labels look. Every parameter is covered in detail in our guide on how to customize the radar, and other useful commands are in the list of CS2 console commands.
A good starting point:
cl_radar_scale 0.5 or higher;
cl_radar_icon_scale_min 0.4;
cl_hud_radar_scale 1.1 / 1.2 / 1.3 (pick one of these values).
One of the main reasons players look for s1mple's radar is that every position on the map is labeled. Pros know the callouts by heart, but if you are still learning the game or playing a map you don't know well, the labels help a lot. They simplify team communication and make it faster to split roles and plan the round.
Where to Download the Radar
The radar with labeled positions and clean lines became known in the community as "s1mple's radar," and many players assumed it was named after one of the best players in the world. In fact, it is a mod called Simple Radar, and it has no connection to s1mple. The player himself is known for other settings, such as s1mple's crosshair, while collectors copy his skin loadout. Still, improved radar maps are used by pros as well: printouts of such maps were spotted, for example, in photos from an Astralis bootcamp.
The best place to download Simple Radar is the official site, readtldr.gg. The mod also shows up on third-party sites, but there you can easily end up with an outdated or modified copy, so the official site is the safer choice. New versions appear there first, too. When downloading, you can pick the version you need, with or without labels, and check which version of the game it was released for.
All map labels are in English. That works in your favor: English callouts are understood by players from any country, which helps in mixed teams, whether in Premier or on FACEIT.
If you don't like the radar, restoring the default is easy: just put the original files back. That is why it pays to back up the radar map folder before replacing anything. You can also run Steam's "Verify integrity of game files," which restores the default files.
s1mple's radar won't replace training and aim practice, but it makes navigation and team coordination noticeably easier. The mod is free, and the console radar settings are available to everyone in CS2, so they are worth a try either way.
FAQ
What is s1mple's radar?
It is the Simple Radar mod, which replaces the default radar maps with cleaner ones: real object proportions, highlighted bomb sites and labeled callouts. It has no connection to the player s1mple; the name just sounds like his nickname.
Does Simple Radar work in CS2?
The mod was made for CS:GO. CS2 stores game files differently, so the old overviews-folder method no longer applies. Check the official site, readtldr.gg, for whether a current CS2 version exists and how to install it.
Can you get banned for using Simple Radar?
The mod only changes the map image and gives no extra information about enemies, which is why it was used in competitive CS:GO play. Install only the version from the official site and only if the author states it is compatible with the current game version.
How can I improve the CS2 radar without mods?
Use the console: cl_radar_scale changes the map zoom, cl_hud_radar_scale sets the size of the radar on screen, and cl_radar_icon_scale_min controls icon size. Test the values on a map with bots.
