What is the PSA Method?
PSA stands for Perfect Sensitivity Approximation. It is a structured way to narrow down an FPS mouse sensitivity by repeatedly comparing a lower setting with a higher one.
Instead of copying another player's sensitivity or judging one number in isolation, you test two alternatives under the same conditions and choose the one that feels easier to control. After seven rounds, the calculator returns an approximation based on your choices.
The PSA Method is a subjective testing heuristic. It cannot measure an objectively perfect sensitivity, and the result can be affected by your game, aim task, mouse grip, available desk space, fatigue, and testing consistency.
How to find your starting sensitivity
- Open a practice range, custom match, or empty server.
- Keep your normal mouse DPI and use raw input where the game supports it.
- Place the mouse at one edge of your usable mousepad area.
- Move it horizontally to the other edge in one comfortable sweep.
- Adjust the game's base or hip-fire sensitivity until the movement produces approximately one complete 360° turn.
- Enter that in-game sensitivity into the calculator.
Keep DPI, FOV, acceleration, and other mouse settings unchanged throughout the test. For more context, learn what cm/360 means and how raw input and mouse acceleration affect sensitivity.
How to use the PSA calculator
- Enter the calibrated starting sensitivity.
- Apply the displayed Lower value in your game and repeat a short aiming drill.
- Apply the Higher value and repeat the same drill.
- Choose the value that feels easier to control and requires fewer forced corrections.
- Repeat for all seven rounds.
- Use the final result for several sessions before deciding whether it needs a small adjustment.
If the higher value causes frequent overshooting, the lower value may suit you better. If the lower value feels sluggish or makes wide turns uncomfortable, the higher value may be the better choice.
Tips for a more useful result
- Use the same game, map, weapon, target distance, and drill for both values.
- Test tracking, flicking, and small corrections rather than judging one lucky shot.
- Keep DPI, FOV, ADS multipliers, and mouse acceleration unchanged.
- Take a break if your hand becomes tense or tired.
- Use the nearest value your game accepts if its sensitivity field has limited decimal precision.
- Treat the result as a starting point for consistent practice, not a magic number.
PSA calculator vs sensitivity converter
A PSA calculator helps you approximate which sensitivity feels comfortable through repeated testing. A sensitivity converter takes a known sensitivity and translates it to another game, usually by preserving physical turn distance such as cm/360.
After completing the PSA test, use the mouse sensitivity converter to transfer the result to another game. Differences in FOV, ADS behavior, and input handling can still make the converted setting feel different.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the PSA Method find my perfect sensitivity?
No method can guarantee an objectively perfect sensitivity. PSA provides a repeatable way to narrow the range according to your own test choices.
How long does the PSA test take?
A focused pass usually takes around 15-30 minutes. Spending longer with each candidate can produce a more considered result, but consistency matters more than rushing through the buttons.
Which games support the PSA Method?
It works best with PC games that expose a numeric, linear mouse-sensitivity setting. Test base or hip-fire sensitivity first. ADS scopes, controller acceleration, deadzones, and non-linear input may require separate tuning.
Do I need to change my DPI?
No. Keep DPI fixed during the test. Changing DPI between rounds changes the effective sensitivity and makes the comparisons unreliable.
Why do I get a different result when I repeat the test?
Your choices can change with fatigue, warm-up, the drill used, or normal day-to-day variation. Repeat the test under similar conditions and treat nearby results as a useful range.
Should I immediately change the final result?
Use it for several practice sessions first. If it remains consistently too fast or too slow, make a small adjustment or repeat the test.
Can I use the result in another game?
Yes, but convert it through the main sensitivity converter. Copying the same numeric value directly usually will not preserve the same physical turn distance.