Mouse DPI test

A browser cannot read your mouse's DPI setting directly, but it can count movement. Lock the pointer, move the mouse an exact distance along a ruler, and the DPI analyzer divides the movement counts by the distance to estimate the DPI (counts per inch) your mouse actually delivers.

Ready.

Counts X × Y
0 × 0
Last estimate (DPI)
—
Average (runs)
—
Raw input
—

Click here to lock the pointer, then hold the left button and move the mouse exactly the distance above along a ruler on your desk, and release

Estimate only. With raw input on, the operating system's pointer acceleration is bypassed and the result approximates the sensor's counts per inch; if raw input is not available, acceleration and pointer speed settings distort it. Measure several runs of 10 cm or more and use the average. Press Esc to release the pointer.

How to measure your DPI

  1. Place a ruler or tape measure on your desk and mark a start and an end point at least 10 cm (4 in) apart. Enter the distance under Distance moved and choose cm or in.
  2. Click the box to lock the pointer. Raw input shows on (unadjusted) if the browser can bypass the operating system's pointer acceleration.
  3. Line up an edge of the mouse with the start mark, hold the left button, move the mouse straight along the ruler to the end mark without lifting it, and release.
  4. Repeat at least three times. Average (runs) shows the mean and the number of runs. Press Esc to release the pointer and Reset to start over.

Raw input and pointer acceleration

The page uses Pointer Lock and asks for unadjustedMovement, which delivers the mouse's movement before the operating system applies pointer speed and acceleration. With raw input on, the counts are close to what the sensor reports, so the result approximates its DPI.

Not every browser offers unadjusted movement. If Raw input shows off (accelerated), the counts include your system's pointer speed and acceleration, and faster movements give higher values. Turn off pointer acceleration (on Windows, Enhance pointer precision), use the default pointer speed, move at a steady pace, or use another browser.

Getting a reliable estimate

  • Move along one axis only: the page uses the larger of the horizontal and vertical counts.
  • Longer distances reduce the effect of a millimetre of error at the start or end mark.
  • Expect a few percent of variation between runs from hand placement and the mouse surface. Compare the average with the DPI set in your mouse software rather than relying on one run.
  • DPI buttons on the mouse and onboard profiles change the value; check which step is active.
  • Some browser and display scaling combinations may scale movement values. If a mouse with a known DPI gives a clearly different result, treat the numbers as relative.

The result is an estimate, not a certified measurement. To check how often the mouse reports, use the mouse polling rate test.

Questions

Can a website read my mouse DPI?

No. The DPI setting lives in the mouse or its software and is not exposed to the browser. This page estimates it from movement counts over a distance you measure.

Why is my result different from the DPI in my mouse software?

Small differences are normal: hand placement, surface and sensor tolerance all matter. Large differences usually mean raw input is off and acceleration is active, a different DPI step is selected, or the distance moved does not match the distance entered.

What distance should I use?

At least 10 cm or 4 inches, measured with a ruler. Longer is better as long as you can move in a straight line without lifting the mouse.

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