Logo

CS2 Map Code List

In the game of Counter-Strike - whether you’re playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) or Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), being able to change maps and load up certain different scenarios is important whether you’re just practising, hosting your own custom games, and even if you want to manage dedicated servers. Whether you're trying to train for certain strategies, try out your new grenades, or just play a casual game with your friends, knowing how you can quickly switch up maps and the various appropriate commands is invaluable.

Below, we’ll bring you the ultimate list of map codes for CS2.

The "Change Map" Command in Counter-Strike

You can use this command to change maps in CS2 - it’s very simple, and you can easily do it via the developer console. So, with that being said, here's how to do it:

1: Enable the Developer Console

First thing’s first, before you can use any console commands, you’ll need to enable the developer console, which is both quick and easy:

  1. Open your game site - CS or CS2.
  2. Open up the game Settings.
  3. Then, go to the Game tab and find Enable Developer Console - the Tilde Key (~).
  4. You just need to set it to Yes.

Once you’ve enabled the console, you can quickly open it by pressing on the tilde key (~).

2: Use the changelevel Command

changelevel [map_code]

However, you’ll need to replace [map_code] with the map code of the map that you’re looking to upload. So, for example, you could enter:

changelevel de_dust2

By entering this command, you’ll be able to load up the Dust2 map - and get playing.

Default Competitive Map Codes

Without a doubt, it’s CS and CS2's competitive maps that are the core of the game. These are the maps that are used in official matchmaking, tournaments, and scrims. So, it’s always a good idea to have the codes on hand so that you can load them up quickly and get practising:

These are the codes you’ll need to know for the most popular competitive maps:

de_dust2

Dust II

de_inferno

Inferno

de_mirage

Mirage

de_nuke

Nuke

de_overpass

Overpass

de_train

Train

de_ancient

Ancient

de_vertigo

Vertigo

de_anubis

Anubis

These maps are some of the most frequently played maps in competitive CS mode and are massively important when you’re looking to practise the fundamentals of the game.

Popular Casual and Deathmatch Maps

Although the competitive map pool is used for ranked matches, CS and CS2 also have a number of casual and deathmatch maps that are perfect when you’re looking for either a nice and relaxed gaming session or simply after a nice warm-up session. 

So, with that being said, here are some of the most commonly played maps and their codes:

de_office

Office (Hostage map, casual mode)

cs_italy

Italy (Hostage rescue)

cs_office

Office (Hostage rescue, also popular in Deathmatch mode)

ar_shoots

Shoots (Arms Race)

ar_baggage

Baggage (Arms Race)

de_cache

Cache (Community Map)

These maps are ideal if you’re looking for non-competitive modes, and they are still used a lot in custom lobbies for those after less serious gaming sessions.

Map Codes for Other Game Modes

Both CS and CS2 have plenty of other game modes that go way beyond classic competitive or casual gaming modes. There are various other options, including Arms Race, Wingman, Danger Zone, and plenty more besides. 

So, let’s take a look at some of the map codes for these modes:

Arms Race (Gun Game)

Arms Race is a super fast-paced gaming mode where you need to work your way through different weapons. These are some of the main map codes for Arms Race mode:

ar_shoots

Shoots

ar_baggage

Baggage

ar_monastery

Monastery

changelevel ar_shoots

If you want to load an Arms Race map, you’ll need to use a console command such as the above.

Wingman (2v2 Competitive Mode)

Then we have Wingman maps, which are essentially designed for 2v2 gameplay  - and are basically smaller sections of standard maps.

These are some popular Wingman map codes:

de_shortdust

Short Dust

de_shortnuke

Short Nuke

de_lake

Lake

de_overpass

Overpass (Wingman-specific)

de_vertigo

Vertigo (Wingman-specific)

So, for example, if you want to load a Wingman map, you could enter:

changelevel de_shortdust

Which would take you to the Short Dust map.

Custom Map Codes

However, Counter-Strike has become renowned for having a brilliant community of modders and map creators - which means that there are literally hundreds and thousands of custom maps that can offer you some seriously unique experiences.

If you have downloaded a custom map or installed one (or maybe more) through the Steam Workshop, then you’ll need to make sure you know their map codes before you can load them up.

When you do install a custom map, you’ll normally find that its map code is usually the name of the map file itself, but without the .bsp extension. So, for example, if you downloaded a custom map that was called aim_training_map, you would load it up using the code:

  • changelevel aim_training_map

If you’re not too sure and you want to find the map codes for any of the custom maps you’ve already installed, it’s fairly straightforward:

  1. Head over to your CS/CS2 installation directory.
  2. Open up the csgo/maps or cs2/maps.
  3. Look for the .bsp files, and these will show you the exact names that you’ll need to use in your changelevel command.

Conclusion

Getting to know how to properly use map codes and the changelevel command in CS:GO and CS2 can have a huge impact on your overall Counter-Strike gaming experience… no matter what the aim of your session is.

 Whether you want to practise your movement or your aim, whether you’re looking to host your own custom games, or maybe you just want to try out new maps… and game modes, knowing these commands can help you control every aspect of your gaming environment quickly and easily.

So, now, hopefully, you know all the different map codes for competitive maps, casual maps, custom maps, and even other modes such as Wingman, Arms Race, and Danger Zone. If you can fully master how to switch maps and change up game modes just by using the developer console, you’ll not only have a better experience when practising your gameplay, but you’ll be able to explore the whole world content available in CS and CS2… and there’s a lot of it!