CS2 Spray Control Guide: Master the AK-47 and M4A4 Patterns (2026)

Why Spray Control Matters More in CS2

CS2 is the only major competitive FPS where full-auto spray control is deterministic and learnable to perfection. Unlike Valorant (randomized spray) or Apex (fast but unpredictable), CS2 rifle patterns are fixed and identical every magazine. Spray control has a defined skill ceiling.

The AK-47 Pattern

Bullets 1–2: Fully accurate — tap for headshots
Bullets 3–10: Climbs straight up — pull mouse down
Bullets 11–20: Recoil shifts left — pull down + slightly right
Bullets 21+: Random — switch to burst (2–3 round delays)

AK-47 Rule:
Bullets 1–2  → Tap (headshot)
Bullets 3–15 → Spray control (down + slight right)
Bullets 16+  → Burst mode

M4A4: same structure, less horizontal shift
M4A1-S: 25 rounds, tighter, less horizontal

Sensitivity and Spray Control

Your cm/360 must not change while learning spray control — all pull-distance muscle memory is calibrated to your specific sensitivity. Lower sensitivity (35–75 cm/360) makes spray easier to learn because each millimeter of mouse movement produces smaller camera movement. This is why most CS2 pro riflers (NiKo 400 DPI × 1.4 sens = ~74 cm/360) use much slower sensitivity than Valorant or Apex pros.

Practice Method

Fire a full magazine, observe the natural spray pattern on a wall
Practice vertical compensation only (pull down) for 30+ minutes daily
Add horizontal correction once vertical feels automatic
Practice on moving bots — static wall is only 60% of the skill

When to Spray vs. Tap

Range	Technique
25m+	Tap or burst (2–3 rounds)
10–25m	Controlled spray
<10m	Full spray

Set and lock your sensitivity with our eDPI calculator before beginning spray control training.