Demystifying the CS:GO Default Viewmodel

As a Counter-Strike expert and content creator, one of the most common questions I get asked is: "What is the default CS:GO viewmodel?" Many players don‘t even realize this core setting exists–much less understand its impact on gameplay.

In this deep dive guide, we‘ll demystify the viewmodel, break down the default values, and analyze how it impacts your experience playing CS:GO.

What Exactly is the CS:GO Viewmodel?

The viewmodel determines your first-person view of the weapon models in CS:GO. Unlike many shooters where your gun takes up half the screen, CS:GO uses a smaller, tighter viewmodel.

This means you see less of the actual gun in exchange for more surrounding visibility. The viewmodel lets you fine tune your weapon‘s position, zoom level, bobbing and more based on personal preference.

It may seem minor, but just a few tweaks here can majorly boost your awareness, accuracy and feel while playing.

Image showing viewmodel options via scopes.gg

Key Settings that Control Your Viewmodel

There are several key console commands that determine the ultimate viewmodel experience:

viewmodel_fov – Sets the weapon zoom level in degrees from 54 up to 120. Lower zooms in, higher zooms out.

viewmodel_offset_x/y/z – Controls side-to-side, up/down and front/back position of the weapon model.

viewmodel_presetpos – Choose from preset locations like centered or lowered.

cl_bobcycle – Adjusts intensity of weapon bobbing while running. Set to 0 removes sway.

cl_righthand – Toggles which hand your primary weapon is held in (0 = left, 1 = right)

Those are the basics you can start tweaking once comfortable! Now let‘s analyze that default experience out of the box.

What is CS:GO‘s Default Viewmodel Out of the Box?

Straight from install, CS:GO sets the following default console variables for the viewmodel:

viewmodel_fov "68" // Field of view set to 68 degrees
viewmodel_offset_x "2.5"  
viewmodel_offset_y "2.5"
viewmodel_offset_z "-2" 
viewmodel_presetpos "0" // At default position
cl_bobcycle "0.98" // Subtle weapon bobbing 
cl_righthand "1" // Primary held in right hand

That creates a viewmodel with mild zoomed perspective of the weapon. It stays central in your view by default, with barely noticeable swaying movements.

Many new players don‘t realize the game ships with these conservative settings out of the box. But within the competitive scene, tweaking your viewmodel is common practice.

How the Pros Customize Their Viewmodel for Competition

Based on analysis of pro player settings, here are some trends for customizing an optimal, competition-ready viewmodel:

• Increase FOV from 68 up to 90-100 for better weapon visibility
• Center viewmodel by adjusting offset values to around 0
• Reduce bobbing intensity for less distraction
• Stick with primary weapon on the right side

Here‘s an example configuration from legendary AWPer GuardiaN showing these principles in action:

viewmodel_fov "90"  
viewmodel_offset_x "0"
viewmodel_offset_y "-1" 
viewmodel_offset_z "-1"
viewmodel_presetpos "0" 
cl_bob_lower_amt "5"
cl_bobcycle "0.1"
cl_righthand "1"  

Notice the expanded 90 FOV, centered position and almost eliminated weapon sway. This gives optimal visibility while staying out of the way.

Viewmodel Impact on Your Overall CS:GO Experience

Why does your viewmodel even matter in a tactical shooter like CS:GO though? Can such a minor detail actually impact performance?

The short answer is yes – absolutely.

A poor viewmodel can hamper everything from your movement to aim precision. It ultimately comes down to personal preference, but slight tweaks enable the following core benefits:

Increased Visibility – Expanding your weapon FOV gives better peripheral vision to spot enemies sooner.

Less Obstruction – Removing bobbing, sway and shifting tightens focus when aiming down sights.

Space for Crosshair Placement – Centering arms frees up room helping nail those headshots.

Accuracy – A comfortable viewmodel which "gets out of the way" reduces distraction meaning every shot lands crisper.

Those small but vital changes ultimately let you acquire targets faster, track better and click more heads. That‘s precisely why so many pros devote time to finding their ideal viewmodel before major tournaments.

Finding Your Own Personal Viewmodel Sweet Spot

For newer players, I always recommend starting with the standard defaults first so you understand CS fundamentals:

// RESET TO DEFAULT VIEWMODEL
viewmodel_fov "68"  
viewmodel_offset_x "2.5"
viewmodel_offset_y "2.5" 
viewmodel_offset_z "-2"
viewmodel_presetpos "0" 
cl_bobcycle "0.98"
cl_righthand "1"

Then slowly start to tweak the console variables we covered earlier to match your gameplay style. Here are some customizations to try:

The Visibility Booster

viewmodel_fov 90 // See more 
viewmodel_offset_x 0 // Center arms
cl_bob_lower_amt 5 // Reduce bobbing

The Sway Eliminator

cl_bobcycle 0.1 
cl_bob_lower_amt 5

The Old School Righty

cl_righthand 1 // Right side = improved reaction 

I suggest incrementally changing one setting at a time, testing for 10-20 matches, then assessing if you perform and feel better. Find the right balance and your default viewmodel becomes a competitive advantage versus opponents still playing stock settings.

Let me know which customizations worked best down in the comments! I may cover your perfect viewmodel configuration in an upcoming weapons guide.