In Team Fortress 2, FoV or Field of View is one of the most important settings. And that’s because it controls how much of the map can be seen at any given time. Based on the aspect ratio of your rendering resolution, some FoV values might be better than others.
How to Change FoV in TF2
Changing the value of the Field of View setting in Team Fortress 2 is quite simple. All you need to do is open the Options menu, find the Video tab, and then click on the “Advanced…” button. There, you will find the Field of View setting. Its value can range from 75.00 to 90.00.
To better understand how FoV works in TF2, you should experiment with 3 different values: 75, 83, and 90. The first value is the default, so you should pick 90 first to see what the other extreme looks like. Then, to get a more balanced result, pick 83.
Experimenting with the 3 values above will help you learn more about your preferences. There’s no correct answer here, so you should test everything yourself.
Using the Developer Console to Change FoV
TF2 allows you to change the FoV using console commands. If you want to adjust your FoV precisely, follow these steps:
- Open TF2 and enable the Developer Console:
- Go to Options > Keyboard > Advanced
- Check Enable Developer Console (~)
- Press the tilde (~) key to open the console.
- Type:
fov_desired X(replace X with a number between 75 and 90). - Press Enter, and your FoV will adjust instantly.
TIP: How to Open Console in TF2
This method allows quicker adjustments compared to the in-game menu.
TF2 FoV and Resolution
FoV is a way of zooming in and out. When you increase the value of the FoV setting, you’re telling the in-game camera to zoom out. And when you decrease it, you’re telling it to zoom in. In turn, this can affect peripheral vision.
Having a high Field of View allows you to see more, but what you see is smaller in scale. This means that you may get the informational benefit, but you may not be able to utilize it unless you’re good at the game. Your ability to aim well is much more important when you play with high PoV than when you play with low PoV.
Advantages:
- The main advantage of utilizing a low PoV value is the target scale. What you see on your screen will be bigger, and that makes hitting a target a bit easier.
- High FoV is an advantage for experienced players who don’t mind having to hit smaller targets. But for novice players, using the default TF2 FoV value is the best way.
Disadvantages:
- One disadvantage of using a low FoV value in TF2 can be felt when fighting at close range. Keeping track of fast-moving targets is more difficult when those targets are bigger.
- Another disadvantage of using a high FoV value is decreasing the number of frames per second. The higher the FoV, the harder your computer must work to render all the information on your screen.
Besides adjusting the general FoV, you can also change the ViewModel FoV, which controls how your weapon appears on screen. A higher ViewModel FoV makes the weapon smaller, giving more visibility of the environment.
Adjusting ViewModel FoV in TF2
Besides adjusting the general FoV, you can also change the ViewModel FoV, which controls how your weapon appears on screen. A higher ViewModel FoV makes the weapon smaller, giving more visibility of the environment.
Steps to Change ViewModel FoV:
- Open the Developer Console (~).
- Type:
viewmodel_fov X(Replace X with a number between 54 and 70). - Press Enter to apply changes.
- The default value is 54, but many players prefer 70 for a wider field of view and reduced weapon clutter.
FoV and Monitor Size
The ideal aspect ratio for TF2 is 16:9. That’s what most monitors will offer you, and you should also utilize it inside the game. To do this, go to Options and select the Video tab. There, on the left, you will see the Aspect Ratio setting. Make sure its value is 16:9.
When playing with a 16:9 aspect ratio, any FoV value is viable. Experienced players like to use the maximum value (90) simply because they know how to utilize it to their advantage. But if you’re not an expert, stick to 75 for now.
TIP: The Best Graphics Settings for TF2
When utilizing an ultrawide monitor, you will gain a significant advantage horizontally because you’ll see more of what’s in front of you to the left and right of your vision. But you may have trouble spotting enemies on the upper side of your screen because some of the information will get cropped.
The FoV value also depends on your monitor size and resolution. If you are using an ultrawide monitor, TF2 automatically adjusts the FoV for better horizontal vision. However, you might need to tweak the settings for the best experience.
- For ultrawide monitors (21:9, 32:9): Set your aspect ratio to match your screen, then test different FoV values.
- For standard 16:9 monitors: Stick with 90 FoV for maximum vision without distortion.
- For older 4:3 monitors: Consider using 83 or lower FoV for better scaling.
Here’s a list of the possible monitor ratios and their resolutions:
- 32:27 – 1280 x 1080p
- 4:3 – 1440 x 1080p
- 16:10 – 1728 x 1080p
- 16:9 – 1920 x 1080p
- 2:1 – 2160 x 1080p
- 64:27 – 2560 x 1080p
- 32:9 – 3840 x 1080p
Of course, if you already have an ultrawide monitor, you probably won’t want to change it to optimize your TF2 experience. But it’s essential to remember that there are some advantages and disadvantages when playing on such monitors.
The FoV value changes depending on your monitor’s aspect ratio. On wider monitors, it is higher, while on smaller monitors, it is lower. The logic of that is easy to understand. When you play on a small monitor, you need to be more zoomed in to see and understand what’s going on.
On wider monitors, that’s not an issue, so you can use a bigger FoV value, or one zoomed out.
Final Thoughts on Changing FoV in TF2
Adjusting your Field of View (FoV) in Team Fortress 2 can significantly impact your gameplay experience. Whether you prefer a wider FoV for better peripheral vision or a lower FoV for improved aiming precision, finding the right setting depends on your playstyle and hardware.
- If you’re playing on a standard 16:9 monitor, setting your FoV to 90 will maximize visibility without distortion.
- Players using ultrawide monitors should experiment with aspect ratios and FoV settings to find the best balance.
- For those looking to customize their weapon visibility, adjusting ViewModel FoV through the Developer Console can make a big difference.
While a higher FoV gives more situational awareness, it can make enemies appear smaller, requiring better aim. On the other hand, a lower FoV makes aiming easier but limits vision. The best approach is to test different FoV values and find what works best for you!
Now that you know how to change FoV in TF2, try different settings and optimize your
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No, TF2 has a FoV cap of 90. Some third-party mods claim to extend this limit, but they may violate TF2’s terms of service.
Officially, you cannot exceed 90 FoV in TF2. However, you can tweak your ViewModel FoV to change how weapons appear.
Yes. Higher FoV requires rendering more details, which lowers FPS on weaker PCs. If your FPS drops, try reducing FoV or adjusting graphics settings.
Most competitive players use 90 FoV because it offers maximum vision without distortion. However, some prefer 83 for balance between view and aiming precision.
