How to Change Your Weapon Viewmodel in CS2

In CS2, having your weapon take up a large portion of the screen can be distracting, especially when holding tight angles. You can use viewmodel settings to move the weapon slightly lower, to the right, left, or further away.

The viewmodel only changes how your hands and weapon appear on the screen. The bullet trajectory, crosshair position, and your character's actual field of view are not affected by these settings. However, a cleaner screen layout can make it easier to track movement around you.

What is the CS2 Viewmodel?

The viewmodel is the first-person model of your weapon and arms. How far to the right the AK-47 sits, how large the AWP appears, or how low your pistol is positioned all depend on these settings.

There are four main areas for viewmodel customization:

These commands are cosmetic, but they directly affect how much empty space is left around your weapon.

Is Viewmodel FOV the Same as Game FOV?

viewmodel_fov does not change the actual field of view of the map. When you increase the value, the weapon model appears smaller and further away, but the camera still shows the same area. Enemies do not shrink or grow, and your aim sensitivity does not change.

This distinction is important. Changing the CS2 weapon viewmodel FOV is not a real camera setting that opens up more map area; it only adjusts the placement of the weapon within your current view.

How to Open the Developer Console

To enter viewmodel commands, you first need to enable the developer console.

1. 1.
   Open CS2 settings.
2. 2.
   Go to the Game tab.
3. 3.
   Set Enable Developer Console to Yes.
4. 4.
   Press the key assigned to open the console.
5. 5.
   Try the commands one by one on a practice map.

If the console doesn't open, check which key is assigned on your keyboard layout. You do not need to open sv_cheats to test these settings; basic viewmodel commands are standard user options.

CS2 Weapon Viewmodel Commands

Each command controls a different axis of the viewmodel. After changing a value, the result appears instantly on screen.

Before using custom values, you can disable the preset position with this command:

viewmodel_presetpos 0

Then, adjust the FOV and offset values one by one. Even if the game accepts a value outside the allowed range, it usually applies the nearest limit.

A Wider and Cleaner Viewmodel Setting

For players who want their weapon to appear smaller and closer to the edge of the screen, a commonly used starting setup is:

viewmodel_presetpos 0
viewmodel_fov 68
viewmodel_offset_x 2.5
viewmodel_offset_y 0
viewmodel_offset_z -1.5

This setting moves the weapon to the right, lowers it a bit, and with a high viewmodel FOV, makes it less dominant. For rifles like the AK-47 and M4, it can leave the lower-middle part of the screen more open.

However, these values may not be the best choice for everyone. It's normal for a player using 4:3 resolution to feel the same viewmodel differently than someone on a 16:9 monitor.

Keeping the Weapon Straighter and More Centered

If you don't want your weapon to be too angled, you can set viewmodel_offset_x closer to zero. For a more balanced and relatively straight look, these values can be a good starting point:

viewmodel_presetpos 0
viewmodel_fov 62
viewmodel_offset_x 0
viewmodel_offset_y 1
viewmodel_offset_z -1

This combination doesn't lock the weapon perfectly in the center; it just reduces the strong shift to the right or left. It offers a balanced profile, especially for players who want to see skin details but don't want the weapon to appear too large.

Even if the weapon's barrel visually lines up with the crosshair, bullets travel according to the game's aim and recoil system, not from the barrel model.

Viewmodel Presets

Players who don't want to enter each command individually can use preset viewmodel positions. The viewmodel_presetpos command lets you switch between different layouts.

If you enter an offset command after selecting a preset, the preset layout may change. So it's more controlled to select the preset first, then set your personal values.

Switching Between Right and Left Hand

Part of the weapon viewmodel is which hand the weapon is shown in. You can choose your preferred right or left hand from CS2 settings. You can also assign a key to temporarily switch during a match.

If you want to set the hand direction via console:

switchhandsleft
switchhandsright

The switchhands command switches the current hand side. The left-hand viewmodel can improve visibility at certain angles, but constantly switching every round can be uncomfortable for muscle memory and visual habits.

How to Find the Best Viewmodel

Instead of copying a single pro player's settings, test with several weapons. While the AK-47 may look small, the AWP's large scope can still take up a lot of space. Pistols and knives also feel different with the same offset values.

Practice checklist:

1. 1.
   Hold a tight angle with an AK-47 or M4.
2. 2.
   Switch to the AWP and check how much of the screen the scope covers.
3. 3.
   Move the weapon left and right and compare peripheral visibility.
4. 4.
   Change the FOV value up or down by one or two steps.
5. 5.
   Try your final setting in a short Deathmatch before a real match.

Saving Your Settings

CS2 saves most viewmodel values along with your game settings. After setting your values, entering this command in the console can help save your configuration:

host_writeconfig

If your settings reset after an update or config change, make a note of the commands you use. If you use an autoexec, only add up-to-date commands that you have confirmed work.

Common Mistakes

The most common mistake is thinking that viewmodel_fov increases the actual in-game field of view. This command only affects the weapon and arm model.

Another mistake is setting the x, y, and z axes to extreme values at the same time. If the weapon is too low or at the edge, the skin may be less visible; if it's too centered, it can block the area around the crosshair.

In old CS:GO guides, you may see extra commands like cl_bob or viewmodel_recoil. Some of these commands have been removed or changed in CS2. When creating an up-to-date setup, it's safer to focus on working core options like FOV, x, y, z, and hand preference.

Conclusion

To change the CS2 weapon viewmodel, viewmodel_fov, viewmodel_offset_x, viewmodel_offset_y, and viewmodel_offset_z commands are sufficient. High FOV makes the weapon appear smaller, while offset values move the model right, left, up, down, or further from the camera.

The best viewmodel is not the one most popular among pro players, but the one that lets you see your surroundings comfortably at your resolution and feels consistent across different weapons.