CS 1.6 Console Commands: Full List With Default Values

Q: How do I open the console in CS 1.6?

Press the key above Tab. The default config binds it, and the ~ key, totoggleconsole. If your keyboard layout puts that key somewhere else, add a line like bind "F12" "toggleconsole"touserconfig.cfg` in the cstrike folder.

Q: How do I show FPS in CS 1.6?

Type net_graph 1 in the console. It shows your frame rate, ping and network data near the bottom of the screen, and net_graph 0 hides it again.

Q: What is the command to add bots in CS 1.6?

The command is bot_add, or bot_add_t and bot_add_ct for a specific team. A plain Steam install of CS 1.6 doesn't include the bot files, so these work on servers set up for bots and in browser versions that include them.

Q: How do I connect to a server through the console?

Type connect followed by the IP and port, for example connect 1.2.3.4:27015. Use retry to rejoin the last server if you were disconnected.

Q: How do I restart the round in CS 1.6?

On a server you control, type sv_restart 1. The number is the delay in seconds before the game restarts, and scores reset with it.

Q: How do I change the crosshair color in CS 1.6?

Use cl_crosshair_color with three numbers for red, green and blue, such as cl_crosshair_color "0 255 255" for cyan. The same option is in Options > Multiplayer.

The console is where Counter-Strike 1.6 keeps the settings the menus don't show. This list covers the commands players and server hosts use most, and each default value comes from the files Valve ships with the current Steam version: the default config.cfg, the Create Server settings file, and the game's own code.

Last checked: November 9, 2026.

How to open the console in CS 1.6

Press the ** key, which sits above Tab and left of 1 on a US keyboard. In the default config, both ** and ~ are bound to toggleconsole, and the console is switched on out of the box.

A few basics:

Type a command and press Enter. For settings, type the name followed by a value, like sensitivity 2.5.
Type a setting's name on its own to see its current value.
To keep custom binds and values safe, put them in userconfig.cfg in the cstrike folder. The game rewrites config.cfg whenever you change options in the menus, then runs userconfig.cfg at the end.

Connection commands

Command	What it does
`connect 1.2.3.4:27015`	Joins a server by IP address and port. 27015 is the default port.
`retry`	Reconnects to the last server you joined.
`disconnect`	Leaves the current server.
`status`	Prints the server name, current map and the player list.
`name "Player"`	Changes your in-game name.
`quit`	Closes the game.

Looking for an address to connect to? The CS 1.6 server list shows live servers with their IPs, and the Join button opens the game through Steam.

Since Valve's April 2019 security updates, a server can no longer make your game run commands such as connect, bind or quit. Only you can. Setting cl_filterstuffcmd 1 extends that protection to more commands, including fps_max, say and setinfo.

Display and performance commands

Command	Default	What it does
`fps_max`	100	Caps your frame rate.
`net_graph`	0	1 shows FPS, ping and network data on screen. 2 and 3 change the layout, and 0 hides it.
`gl_vsync`	1	Vertical sync, shown in the video menu as "Wait for vertical sync".
`hud_draw`	1	Set to 0 to hide the HUD, for clean screenshots.
`snapshot`		Saves a screenshot. Bound to F5 by default.

Since Valve's October 2019 update, brightness, texgamma and lightgamma no longer change map lighting in multiplayer, so raising them won't brighten dark corners on servers.

Mouse commands

Command	Default	What it does
`sensitivity`	3	Your aim sensitivity.
`m_rawinput`	0	1 reads mouse data directly from the device. Shown in Options as "Raw mouse input".
`m_filter`	0	1 smooths out mouse movement.
`m_customaccel`	0	Mouse acceleration. 0 keeps it off.
`zoom_sensitivity_ratio`		Scales your sensitivity while zoomed with a scope.

For which values to pick, see our best CS 1.6 settings guide.

Crosshair and HUD commands

Command	Default	What it does
`cl_crosshair_color`	"50 250 50"	Crosshair color as red, green and blue values from 0 to 255. The default is green.
`cl_crosshair_size`	auto	Accepts auto, small, medium or large.
`cl_crosshair_translucent`	1	0 draws a solid crosshair.
`cl_dynamiccrosshair`	1	1 makes the crosshair spread out as you move and shoot. 0 keeps it still on screen.
`hud_fastswitch`	0	1 selects a weapon as soon as you press its number key.
`cl_righthand`	1	0 shows weapons in your left hand.
`cl_radartype`	0	0 is the transparent radar, 1 is solid.
`_cl_autowepswitch`	1	1 switches to a better weapon when you pick it up. 2 does the same except while you hold primary or secondary attack. 0 never switches.
`scoreboard_showavatars`		0 or 1 hides or shows Steam avatars on the scoreboard.
`scoreboard_showmoney`, `scoreboard_showhealth`		Show or hide the money and health columns, where the server allows them.

The crosshair options are also in Options > Multiplayer, with a preview.

Network commands

Command	Default	What it does
`rate`	2500	The most data per second, in bytes, that the server may send you.
`cl_updaterate`	60	How many updates per second you ask the server for.
`cl_cmdrate`	60	How many command packets per second you send.

The server has the final word. It caps cl_updaterate with sv_maxupdaterate and rate with sv_maxrate, so asking for more than it allows changes nothing. The built-in rate of 2500 bytes per second is very low for a modern connection. Even 25000 is only about 0.2 megabits per second.

Buying commands

Command	Default key	What it does
`buy`	B	Opens the buy menu.
`buyequip`	O	Opens the equipment menu.
`autobuy`	F1	Buys gear following the priority list in `autobuy.txt`.
`rebuy`	F2	Buys the same loadout you had last time.
`buyammo1`, `buyammo2`	, and .	Buy primary or secondary ammo.

You can also type or bind each item's buy alias. The game's autobuy.txt lists them all, including:

Rifles: ak47, m4a1, famas, galil, aug, sg552
Snipers: awp, scout, g3sg1, sg550
Pistols: glock, usp, p228, deagle, elites, fiveseven
SMGs and heavy: mac10, tmp, mp5, ump45, p90, m3, xm1014, m249
Gear: vest, vesthelm, flash, hegren, sgren, defuser, nvgs, shield, primammo, secammo

For example, bind "F3" "vesthelm; ak47; primammo" puts a full rifle buy on one key.

Game, chat and demo commands

Command	Default key	What it does
`chooseteam`	M	Opens the team menu.
`drop`	G	Drops your current weapon.
`kill`		Kills your own player.
`timeleft`		Shows the time left on the map.
`nightvision`	N	Toggles night vision goggles if you bought them.
`radio1`, `radio2`, `radio3`	Z, X, C	Radio command menus.
`messagemode`, `messagemode2`	Y, U	Chat to everyone or to your team.
`record name`, `stop`		Record a demo of what you see, then stop recording.
`playdemo name`		Plays a recorded demo.

Server and admin commands

These work on a server you create from the menu, or on a dedicated server through rcon. Defaults come from the game code; the Create Server menu applies a few of its own, noted below.

Command	Default	What it does
`map de_dust2`		Starts a server on a map.
`changelevel de_inferno`		Switches map and keeps connected players.
`sv_restart 1`	0	Restarts the game after the given number of seconds.
`mp_roundtime`	5	Round length in minutes.
`mp_freezetime`	6	Freeze time at round start in seconds.
`mp_buytime`	1.5	Buy time in minutes.
`mp_c4timer`	45	Bomb timer in seconds.
`mp_startmoney`	800	Starting money. The menu allows 800 to 16000.
`mp_friendlyfire`	0	1 lets you damage teammates.
`mp_autoteambalance`	1	Evens out teams automatically.
`mp_limitteams`	2	Largest allowed difference in team sizes.
`mp_timelimit`	0	Minutes per map. The Create Server menu sets 20.
`mp_maxrounds`, `mp_winlimit`	0	End the map after a number of rounds or wins. 0 means no limit.
`mp_infinite_ammo`	0	1 gives infinite magazines, 2 gives infinite reserve ammo.
`sv_alltalk`	0	1 lets both teams hear each other's voice chat.
`sv_gravity`, `sv_maxspeed`	800, 320	Gravity and maximum player speed.
`sv_cheats`	0	Allows cheat commands. Since 2019 only the server can change it.
`sv_password`, `hostname`		Server password and name.
`rcon_password`, `rcon`		Set the RCON password, then send commands with `rcon <command>`.
`kick`		Removes a player from your server.

Bot commands

A standard Steam install of CS 1.6 does not come with working bots. The bot code is in the game, but the bot profile file and the bot options in the Create Server menu ship with Counter-Strike: Condition Zero. These commands work on servers set up for bots, and in our CS 1.6 browser version, which also has an H-key bot menu.

Command	What it does
`bot_add`, `bot_add_t`, `bot_add_ct`	Adds a bot to either team, Terrorists or Counter-Terrorists.
`bot_kick`, `bot_kill`	Removes all bots, or kills them for the round.
`bot_quota 5`	Keeps a set number of bots on the server. The default is 0.
`bot_difficulty 0`	0 is Easy, 1 Normal, 2 Hard, 3 Expert. The default is 0.
`bot_knives_only`, `bot_pistols_only`, `bot_snipers_only`, `bot_all_weapons`	Limit or restore bot weapons.
`bot_stop 1`	Stops all bots from moving and thinking, handy for practice.
`bot_join_after_player`	Default 1. Bots wait for a human to join before entering the game.

Frequently asked questions

How do I open the console in CS 1.6?

Press the key above Tab. The default config binds it, and the ~ key, totoggleconsole. If your keyboard layout puts that key somewhere else, add a line like bind "F12" "toggleconsole"touserconfig.cfg` in the cstrike folder.

How do I show FPS in CS 1.6?

Type net_graph 1 in the console. It shows your frame rate, ping and network data near the bottom of the screen, and net_graph 0 hides it again.

What is the command to add bots in CS 1.6?

The command is bot_add, or bot_add_t and bot_add_ct for a specific team. A plain Steam install of CS 1.6 doesn't include the bot files, so these work on servers set up for bots and in browser versions that include them.

How do I connect to a server through the console?

Type connect followed by the IP and port, for example connect 1.2.3.4:27015. Use retry to rejoin the last server if you were disconnected.

How do I restart the round in CS 1.6?

On a server you control, type sv_restart 1. The number is the delay in seconds before the game restarts, and scores reset with it.

How do I change the crosshair color in CS 1.6?

Use cl_crosshair_color with three numbers for red, green and blue, such as cl_crosshair_color "0 255 255" for cyan. The same option is in Options > Multiplayer.