The command to clear blood and decals in Counter-Strike 2

Yes, there is a command. Type r_cleardecals into the console and press Enter. This removes all blood splatters, bullet holes, and other decals from the map when ready. The command works during a match or in practice mode, and you can use it as many times as you want without penalty.

The decals disappear from your view only — other players see the map as it was before you ran the command. This makes it useful when blood or damage marks are blocking your view of an important area, or when you straightforward want a cleaner sight line for aiming.

If you have not opened the console before, press the backtick key (`) on your keyboard, usually located to the left of the 1 key. The console window opens at the top of your screen. Type the command and press Enter.

Key Takeaways

  • The command r_cleardecals removes blood and bullet hole marks from your view only, not from the game world that other players see.
  • Open the console by pressing the backtick key (`), type the command, and press Enter — no restart or settings change needed.
  • You can run the command during active matches without any cooldown or penalty.
  • Decals respawn naturally over time, so you may need to run the command again if blood builds up in the same area.
  • This command is different from graphics settings and does not affect your frame rate or performance.

When you might want to clear decals during play

Blood and bullet holes pile up quickly in firefights, especially in tight spaces where multiple players have traded shots. A wall covered in decals can make it harder to spot enemies peeking around corners or hiding in shadows, because the visual clutter draws your eye away from movement.

Clearing decals is most useful before holding an angle you plan to defend for a while. Run the command, then position yourself — you get a clean view without the distraction of old damage marks. Some players also clear decals before watching a demo or reviewing footage, so the recording is easier to read.

The command does not give you a competitive advantage in the way that changing your crosshair or sensitivity does. It is purely a visibility tool, and many players never use it at all.

How to make the console easier to access

If you find yourself clearing decals often, you can bind the command to a single key so you do not have to open the console each time. Open the console, then type bind [key] r_cleardecals and press Enter. Replace [key] with any key you want — for example, bind p r_cleardecals makes the P key clear decals when pressed.

Choose a key you do not use in normal play. Many players bind it to a key on the far edge of the keyboard, like Pause or Scroll Lock, so they never accidentally trigger it during a match. Test the binding in a private match or practice mode before using it in competitive play.

If you want to unbind the key later, type unbind [key] into the console. The command reverts to its normal function.

Why decals stay on the map

Counter-Strike 2 keeps decals visible to help you read the flow of a fight. When you see bullet holes in a wall, you know that area has been under fire. Blood on the ground tells you where a player was hit. These visual clues help you understand what happened in a fight you did not see.

Decals fade naturally over time — they do not stay forever. In a long match, old marks gradually disappear as new ones appear. The r_cleardecals command just speeds up that process for your view only, clearing everything at once instead of waiting for the game to fade them slowly.

Decals versus other visual settings

Clearing decals is different from adjusting your graphics settings. You can also reduce how many decals appear on screen by lowering your decal quality in Video Settings, but that affects your entire game and requires a restart. The console command is faster and temporary — it clears what is already there without changing your settings.

If you want decals to appear less often overall, open Settings, go to Video, and look for Decal Quality or Decal Limit. Lowering this setting reduces the total number of marks that can exist on screen at once. This can improve frame rate on older computers, but most modern systems handle full decal quality without trouble.

What happens if the console is disabled

Some servers disable the console to prevent certain commands from running. If you try to open the console and nothing happens, the server has it turned off. You cannot use r_cleardecals on that server, and you cannot bind it to a key either.

This is rare in public matches and practice modes. If you encounter it, you have no workaround — you will have to play with the decals as they are. Switch to a different server or game mode if clearing decals is important to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does clearing decals give me an unfair advantage?

No. Other players see the decals on their screen regardless of whether you cleared them on yours. The command only changes your view, not the actual game state. It is treated the same way as adjusting your brightness or crosshair color.

Will I get banned for using r_cleardecals?

No. This is a built-in console command that Valve includes in Counter-Strike 2. Using it is not against any rules, and it does not trigger anti-cheat systems. You can use it freely in competitive matches.

Can I bind the command to my mouse?

Yes, if your mouse software supports key binding. Some gaming mice let you assign console commands to buttons through their control panel. Check your mouse manufacturer's documentation to see if this is possible with your model.

What if I clear decals and they come right back?

New decals appear as soon as bullets hit walls or players take damage. If you clear decals and then a firefight starts in the same area, blood and bullet holes will accumulate again. You can run the command again whenever you need a clean view.

Does this command work in other Source engine games?

It works in most Source-based games, including older Counter-Strike versions and Half-Life 2. The syntax is the same — open the console and type r_cleardecals. Some games may have it disabled on certain servers, just like Counter-Strike 2.