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How to Check Mouse DPI on Windows 10 & How to Change It

How to Check Mouse DPI on Windows 10 & How to Change It

The DPI of the mouse is used to measure its sensitivity. DPI comes from “Dots per inch”. A higher DPI gives better responsiveness to the mouse movements you make.

In today’s article, we’re going to tell you how to check your mouse DPI on Windows 10, but also how to change it and adjust it so it fits your needs based on the activities you perform.

So let’s not waste a single second and instead, let’s get this started!

How to check what DPI my mouse is on

Usually, all modern mice offer at least a couple of DPI settings, but usually more. This means that you can easily adjust them – sometimes by just pressing a button – so that they feel right when you move the mouse around.

But if you want to know exactly what DPI your mouse is using, you have a few options available.

1. Search your mouse model online

mouse DPI checker

Computer mice are not famous for sharing their name on the product itself, so in most cases you won’t be able to find the model of your mouse if you don’t know it already.

But if you invest in a top mouse – such as one of our recommended mice for gaming – then you probably know already the brand and model.

If you bought the mouse online, you can check your orders to find your model.

And then, it’s just a simple Google search away. Simply search for “mouse model DPI” and you will find the information needed.

As I said, in most cases, you won’t really know what model your mouse is, so we’ll have to use one of the other methods below to find the DPI of your mouse.

But knowing the model and checking the official specifications is the best way for you to find your mouse’s DPI.

2. Check mouse DPI by installing drivers

Most regular computer mice are plug and play, using a generic driver that Windows provides. They just work, without you really knowing what brand they are and what their sensitivity rating is.

Go to the Windows device manager (write “Device manager” in the search bar and click the result), then click “Mice and other pointing devices, as seen in the screenshot below”:

device manager

In most cases, you will see results similar to the one above, with the mouse sometimes described as “generic mouse” or anything similar.

To find the exact DPI of your mouse, you will need to install a proper driver. In order to find that out, you will have to install a proper driver from the mouse’s manufacturer.

In order to do this, simply search for your mouse’s brand on google and add “Driver” at the end of your search string. Make sure that you visit the official website of that manufacturer and install the corresponding driver.

This will then show you exactly what mouse you are using, and you can search for it online to find the official specifications and thus the DPI values.

3. Use an online calculator to find your DPI

If you want to go a bit more technical, you can use an online calculator to find your mouse’s DPI. That’s a bit too much work to do, if you are to ask me, but you can do it.

For starters, you will have to go to an online calculator like DPI analyizer which will do the heavy work for you.

Next, calculate how much you will move the mouse itself on your desk. Go with a movement of two inches, as that is the easiest way to count. Use a ruler for that.

Now that you know how much is two inches on your desk, place the mouse cursor on the red target on the virtual ruler on DPI analyzer, then drag the mouse to the right for 2 inches.

You will get your DPI result:

dpi analyzer

Do this a few times to get a better value that is closer to reality, but have in mind that this is merely an estimate and not an exact number.

4. Use Paint to measure DPI

Using good ol’ Paint in Windows 10 can help you estimate your mouse’s DPI. It’s really easy to do. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Search for “Paint” in the search bar and launch it.

2. Place your mouse cursor to the left-most side of the image in paint (making sure that the zoom level, shown in the bottom right corner is 100%).

Also make sure that the mouse cursor is as close to 0 pixels on the left side (check the numbers in the bottom left corner – it should be between 0 – 5)

3. Hold the left mouse button pressed and drag a line by moving your mouse, on the desk, on a distance of 2 inches.

Here are my results (the DPI is the pixel value shown in the bottom left corner at the end of the line you drew):

ms paint dpi measurement

In this case, the DPI is around 1490. Pretty different values when compared to the DPI analyzer, so we’re again talking about estimates. But it’s etter than nothing.

How to adjust / change a mouse’s DPI?

As I said earlier in this article, mouse mice come with various DPI settings available which can usually be changed by pressing a single button.

You should try out various settings in order to find the best sensitivity for you. While a high sensitivity is essential for gamers as it offers an improved precision and faster movements, you have to try out various settings to find what works best for you.

In order to adjust a mouse’s DPI, you will simply have to press its designated button. The placement of this button varies from mouse to mouse.

On most models, you will find the DPI button placed under or above the scrolling wheel. It’s a relatively small button and most models will also have “DPI” written on it.

Others will have the button placed on the bottom of the mouse, so that you don’t push it by mistake. If your mouse doesn’t have a DPI button below or above the scroll wheel, check the bottom.

However, some models will have the DPI button on one side or another, usually above the thumb.

In other words, the DPI button on a mouse can be anywhere, depending on a model. But it’s easy to see if you found it or not: simply press it and see how your mouse moves.

If the cursor movement on-screen is faster or slower, it means that you found the DPI button. Press it multiple times and test the sensitivity of your mouse until you find one you are comfortable with.

Conclusion

Now you know how to find what DPI your mouse is using and also how to adjust it if needed. Remember, in the end, that it is usually a better idea to focus on changing the sensitivity to something that you are comfortable with and care less about the numbers.

And if you want to read more about computer mice, we’ve got you covered. We have already published an interesting guide on how to fix mouse stuttering and jumping around.