How to Change the Viewmodel in CS2 (Counter-Strike 2)

To change the viewmodel in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), open the developer console with ~ and run viewmodel_presetpos X, where X is 1 (Desktop), 2 (Couch), or 3 (Classic). You can fine-tune the result with viewmodel_offset_x/y/z for position and viewmodel_fov (range 54–68) for field of view. Add the commands to your CS2 autoexec so they load every match.

Applies to: Counter-Strike 2 on Windows 10 and Windows 11 | Last updated: April 17, 2026

Key Takeaways

• Three built-in presets: viewmodel_presetpos 1 for Desktop (default), 2 for Couch (pulled back), and 3 for Classic (mimics older Counter-Strike games). The change is applied immediately, no restart required.
• Fine-tuning uses three axes: viewmodel_offset_x (horizontal), viewmodel_offset_y (distance from camera), and viewmodel_offset_z (vertical). Values are in game units and can be positive or negative.
• Viewmodel FOV is clamped: viewmodel_fov only accepts values between 54 and 68. 54 is the default (narrower), 68 is the maximum (wider).
• Make settings permanent with autoexec.cfg: save your preferred commands to Steam\steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Global Offensive\game\csgo\cfg\autoexec.cfg so they run every time CS2 launches.

Quick Steps

1. In CS2, open Settings → Game → Enable Developer Console (~) and set it to Yes.
2. Press ~ in-game to open the console.
3. Type viewmodel_presetpos 1 (or 2 / 3) and press Enter.
4. (Optional) Adjust offsets with viewmodel_offset_x, viewmodel_offset_y, viewmodel_offset_z.
5. (Optional) Change FOV with viewmodel_fov 68.
6. Save the commands to autoexec.cfg to load them automatically on launch.

Enable the Developer Console in CS2

CS2 ships with the developer console disabled by default. Every viewmodel command below runs through the console, so this has to be on first. The setting moved from CS:GO’s launch options into the in-game settings menu, so there is nothing to edit in Steam properties.

1. Launch CS2 and open Settings.
2. Go to the Game tab.
3. Find Enable Developer Console (~) and set it to Yes.
4. Press the ~ key (backtick/tilde, below Esc) to open the console in-game.

Tip: If ~ does not open the console, you may have a non-US keyboard layout. Rebind the “Toggle Console” key in Settings → Keyboard / Mouse → UI Keys to whatever is convenient. If you want a full walkthrough, see how to open the console in CS2.

Change the CS2 Viewmodel Preset

CS2 includes three preset viewmodel positions. Each one applies a different combination of X/Y/Z offsets and FOV — picking a preset is the fastest way to get a usable viewmodel before you fine-tune anything.

Open the console and run:

viewmodel_presetpos 1

Replace the 1 with the preset you want:

• 1 — Desktop (default): weapon sits closer to centre-right, typical CS:GO look.
• 2 — Couch: weapon pulled lower and further from the camera, better for larger displays viewed from distance.
• 3 — Classic: tighter, centred position that mimics older Counter-Strike games (1.6 / Source).

The change is immediate — no restart or map reload needed. Switch between presets until one feels right, then move on to the offset adjustments below.

Fine-Tune the Viewmodel Offset (X / Y / Z)

If none of the presets feel exactly right, you can adjust the three axes directly. Each command accepts a signed decimal value in game units — positive values push the viewmodel in one direction, negative values push it the opposite way.

viewmodel_offset_x 2
viewmodel_offset_y 2
viewmodel_offset_z -2

• viewmodel_offset_x — horizontal position. Positive = right, negative = left.
• viewmodel_offset_y — distance from the camera. Positive = further forward, negative = pulled in closer to the camera.
• viewmodel_offset_z — vertical position. Positive = higher, negative = lower.

A common competitive setup is viewmodel_offset_x 2, viewmodel_offset_y 2, viewmodel_offset_z -2 — slightly right, slightly forward, slightly lower, which keeps weapon iron sights out of the crosshair line. Tweak from there until you find a comfortable resting position.

Change the Viewmodel Field of View (FOV)

The viewmodel FOV controls how “wide” the weapon looks on screen. CS2 clamps the value between 54 and 68 — outside that range the command silently fails.

viewmodel_fov 68

• 54 — default, narrower FOV with a larger-looking weapon.
• 68 — widest allowed, shrinks the weapon and exposes more of the screen.

Most competitive players run viewmodel_fov 68 for the biggest unobstructed view. If you prefer the look of larger iron sights, stay at 54.

Save Your Viewmodel Settings to autoexec.cfg

Console commands do not persist between CS2 sessions by default. To load your viewmodel settings automatically on every launch, put them in an autoexec.cfg file in the CS2 config folder.

1. Close CS2.
2. Navigate to your CS2 config folder. On a default Steam install this is:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Global Offensive\game\csgo\cfg

3. Create a new text file named autoexec.cfg (make sure the extension is .cfg, not .txt).
4. Paste your viewmodel commands into the file, one per line:

viewmodel_presetpos 3
viewmodel_offset_x 2
viewmodel_offset_y 2
viewmodel_offset_z -2
viewmodel_fov 68

5. Save the file. CS2 will execute it automatically the next time you launch the game.

If the file does not appear to run, open the console after launch and type exec autoexec manually. If that works, your file is in the right folder — the auto-load problem is usually a hidden .txt extension.

Reset to Default Viewmodel

If you want to undo your changes and go back to the stock CS2 look, run the desktop preset in the console:

viewmodel_presetpos 1

This resets the preset but leaves any custom offsets in place. To also clear the offsets, set each axis back to 0:

viewmodel_offset_x 0
viewmodel_offset_y 0
viewmodel_offset_z 0
viewmodel_fov 54

If you added the commands to autoexec.cfg earlier, remember to remove or update them there too — otherwise your next launch will re-apply the old settings.

For more CS2 setup tips, see how to play CS2 in 4:3 with black bars or stretched, or start from scratch with the Counter-Strike 2 install guide.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the default viewmodel preset in CS2?

CS2 ships with viewmodel_presetpos 1 (Desktop) enabled by default. Offsets start at 0 and viewmodel_fov defaults to 54.

Can I set viewmodel_fov higher than 68?

No. CS2 clamps viewmodel_fov to the range 54–68 server-side and client-side. Values outside that range are silently ignored — there is no launch flag or config trick to force a wider value.

Why does my ~ key not open the console?

The developer console must be enabled in Settings → Game → Enable Developer Console (~). On non-US keyboards, the physical key above Tab may send a different character — rebind the “Toggle Console” action in Settings → Keyboard / Mouse → UI Keys to any key you prefer.

What is the difference between the three viewmodel presets?

Desktop (1) is the modern CS2 default, weapon slightly right and close. Couch (2) pulls the weapon further from the camera — useful when you sit farther from a large screen. Classic (3) matches the centred, tighter weapon position from CS 1.6 and CS:Source.

Will my viewmodel settings persist in Premier / competitive matches?

Yes. Viewmodel commands are client-side visual preferences and are not restricted by VAC or Premier matchmaking. As long as they are in your autoexec.cfg or set at the start of a session, they apply to every match type.