How to Show FPS in CS2

A frame counter tells you whether a settings change helped, whether a map is harder on your PC and whether stutter comes from your hardware. This guide covers how to show FPS in CS2 three different ways, from the built-in menu to a console command. It ends with tips on reading the numbers.

Method 1: the Telemetry menu

This is the simplest option, and it needs no console.

1. Open Settings from the gear icon.
2. Go to the Game tab.
3. Find the Telemetry section.
4. Set Show frame time and FPS to Always.

The other choices are Never and If conditions are poor. The last one hides the readout until performance drops, which keeps the screen clean. The same section also holds ping and network options. Those are covered in our separate guide to the CS2 net graph replacement.

Method 2: the cl_showfps command

If you prefer the console, this is how to show FPS with a single line. Enable the console first if needed, following how to open the console. Then type:

• cl_showfps 1 to show a small frame counter.
• cl_showfps 0 to hide it again.

The command also accepts higher values that add extra detail, but references describe them inconsistently, so stick with 1 unless you are curious. The telemetry option from Method 1 has a console version too: cl_hud_telemetry_frametime_show 2 shows it always, 1 only when conditions are poor and 0 never.

To switch the counter with one key, use a toggle bind such as bind "f9" "toggle cl_showfps 0 1". Our guide to CS2 bind commands explains how binds work. To make it load every time, add the line to your autoexec file, or add +cl_showfps 1 to your launch options.

Method 3: the Steam overlay counter

Steam has its own counter that works in any game.

1. In the Steam client, open Steam, then Settings.
2. Choose In Game.
3. Find In-game FPS counter and pick a screen corner.

It only shows the raw frame rate, with no frame time. It is handy if you want the same counter across several games. Your graphics driver may also offer its own overlay with more detail.

How to show FPS without cluttering your screen

A counter that is always on can become a distraction. You start watching the number instead of the round. There are a few simple ways around that.

• Use the If conditions are poor option, so the readout only appears when something is wrong.
• Keep the counter on a toggle key and switch it on only while you test settings.
• If you use the Steam counter, put it in a corner away from the radar and kill feed.

Pick one method rather than running all three. Two counters showing slightly different numbers only adds confusion, because each measures over a different time window.

How do you read the numbers?

The FPS figure is an average over a short window. It looks reassuring, but it can hide problems. Frame time, shown in milliseconds, tells you how long each frame took. Lower and steadier is better.

• If FPS is high but the game still feels choppy, look for frame time spikes.
• Test the same spot on the same map before and after a change. Busy areas, smokes and fire drain more performance.
• Compare in a private match first, then confirm in a real game.

As a rough guide, aim for an FPS figure that stays above your monitor's refresh rate in busy fights. That is a common target, not a hard rule.

Why does my FPS jump around?

Some movement is normal. Smokes, molotovs and many players on screen all cost frames. Background apps, browser tabs and recording software can cause dips too.

Check whether you have a cap set. fps_max limits your frame rate, and 0 removes the limit. If you set a cap, the counter will sit at that number in quiet moments. Some players cap slightly above their refresh rate for steadier frame times. Launch options rarely give large gains. See CS2 launch options explained for which ones matter.

Sources and checks

Menu labels and commands were checked on 1 November 2026 against the setup.gg FPS guide and the csdb.gg FPS guide. Valve sometimes renames settings, so look for similar wording if a label has changed.

CS2 settings Performance Guides