If you play Mirage regularly, there are a few callouts you should be able to recognize without even thinking about them.
“Window.”
“Two ramp.”
“One jungle.”
“Last guy bench.”
Those few words can completely change what your teammate does next.
This guide covers the CS2 Mirage callouts players actually use, from the obvious positions like A Ramp and B Apartments to smaller spots like Sandwich, Ninja, Chair and Short Corner.
If you are new to Counter Strike, you do not need to memorize everything at once. Start with the important callouts at the top, then learn the rest as you play.
Mirage is still part of the current Premier map pool in 2026. You can see the latest rotation in our CS2 Premier Season 5 guide.
Mirage Callouts Quick List
If you only have time to learn the essentials, memorize these first:
| Area | Important Callouts |
|---|---|
| A Site | A Ramp, Palace, Tetris, Default, Triple, Firebox, Ninja, Sandwich, Stairs, Jungle, Ticket, CT |
| Mid | Top Mid, Mid Boxes, Window, Connector, Underpass, Chair, Catwalk, Ladder Room |
| B Site | B Apartments, Van, Bench, Default, Short, Market, Market Window, Market Door |
| Rotations | CT Spawn, Jungle, Connector, Ladder Room, Short, Underpass |
Those names will cover most of the information you hear in normal Mirage matches.
If map terminology still feels completely new, it is worth starting with our CS2 beginner’s guide before trying to memorize every small position.
Mirage A Site Callouts
A Site has a lot of names packed into a fairly small area.
Saying “one A” is almost useless when that player could be tucked behind Firebox, holding from Jungle or waiting behind Triple.
Here are the positions you need to know.
A Ramp
A Ramp is the main ground level entrance from the Terrorist side into A.
If someone says “two ramp,” they usually mean two players are coming through or standing around the Ramp entrance.
T Roof
T Roof is the raised area near the approach to A Ramp.
Players often stand here before an execute or while lining up utility.
Palace
Palace is the upper route leading into A Site.
It opens onto the balcony overlooking the site and is commonly used together with a Ramp push.
Palace Balcony
The balcony is the exposed platform where players exit Palace above A Site.
A player can stay on Balcony instead of dropping onto the site, so calling the difference matters.
Pillars
Pillars are inside the Palace area.
You will not hear this call as often as Palace itself, but it helps when somebody is hiding deeper inside instead of standing at the exit.
Shadows
Shadows is the tucked position directly underneath Palace Balcony.
It is an easy place to miss if your team jumps out of Palace without clearing underneath.
Tetris
Tetris is the stack of boxes just outside A Ramp.
This is one of the most common Mirage callouts because attackers frequently use it as cover while entering the site.
Sandwich
Sandwich is the narrow space between Tetris and Stairs.
It is a small position, but one defender sitting there can punish attackers who clear Tetris and immediately look toward Jungle.
Default
Default refers to the common bomb plant area around the boxes on A Site.
If a teammate says “bomb default,” this is usually what they mean.
Triple
Triple, or Triple Box, is the large stack of boxes toward the CT side of A.
It provides strong cover from Ramp and Palace and is common during both site holds and post plants.
Firebox
Firebox is the tucked position near the Default side of the bombsite.
It is close enough to the main plant area that attackers should clear it before assuming the site is safe.
Ninja
Ninja is the tight hiding spot among the boxes on A.
The name makes sense once you lose a round because somebody sat there unnoticed while your entire team walked past them.
Stairs
Stairs is the staircase between A Site and Jungle.
It is one of the first positions attackers normally isolate with utility during an A execute.
Jungle
Jungle sits between A Site, Connector and the Window side of the map.
This is one of the most important rotation positions on Mirage.
If somebody calls “one jungle,” do not treat it like a generic A Site call. That player can influence both A and Mid.
Ticket
Ticket refers to the ticket booth area near CT.
It is a common long range defensive position and a spot you should always check when taking A.
CT
CT usually means the entrance into A from the Counter Terrorist spawn side.
Players sometimes use “CT” and “CT Spawn” loosely, so listen to the context of the call.
Trash
Trash is the smaller position on the CT side of A near the trash can.
It is less important than Ticket or CT, but it is worth knowing once you have the main spots memorized.
The A Site Calls You Should Learn First
If that was too much information, forget the smaller spots for now.
Learn these:
Ramp
Palace
Tetris
Default
Triple
Firebox
Stairs
Jungle
Ticket
CT
You can play plenty of Mirage without ever saying “Trash.”
You cannot play Mirage well without knowing Jungle.
Mirage Mid Callouts
Mid is what makes Mirage Mirage.
Taking Mid gives the Terrorist side routes toward Connector and Short, while the Counter Terrorist side normally fights for control through Window, Connector and Catwalk.
It is also where vague calls cause some of the worst confusion.
Top Mid
Top Mid is the Terrorist side entrance into Mid.
Players coming out from T Spawn and beginning to take Mid will normally be around this area.
Mid Boxes
Mid Boxes are the boxes near the Terrorist side of Mid.
They provide cover from Window and Connector while attackers start contesting the area.
Mid
“Mid” generally refers to the large open central section itself.
If someone is in a more specific position, use the specific call instead.
“One mid” is useful.
“One Connector” is better.
Window
Window is the elevated opening looking directly into Mid from the CT side.
You may also hear it called Sniper’s Nest.
In normal matchmaking, Window is by far the call you need to recognize immediately.
Connector
Connector links Mid with the A side of the map.
A Terrorist getting through Connector can pressure A from a completely different angle while also cutting rotations.
Underpass
Underpass is the lower route beneath Window.
It connects the B Apartments side of the map with lower Mid.
A player moving through Underpass can appear at Mid quickly, which is why “underpass” is one of those calls you should give as soon as you hear or see somebody there.
Chair
Chair is the small corner position along Mid.
It is literally named after the chair sitting there, which makes this one pretty easy to remember.
Boost
Boost refers to the area below Window where teammates can help each other reach the Window opening.
Catwalk
Catwalk is the elevated route running from Mid toward B.
As you get closer to B Site, you will usually hear people call it Short.
Short
Short, or B Short, is the final section of the Catwalk route leading into B Site.
The distinction is simple enough:
Cat usually means closer to Mid.
Short usually means closer to B.
Not every player uses the words exactly the same way, so context still matters.
Ladder Room
Ladder Room is the small room connecting the Short side with the Window and Jungle area.
It is an important rotation and lurk position because a player can move between Mid and the B side without staying exposed for long.
Vent
Vent is the small opening around the Window and Ladder Room side.
If someone breaks or moves through it, they can quickly change which part of Mid they are threatening.
If you want to practice the utility used to actually take Mid rather than just learning the names, use our CS2 smoke practice guide.
Why Mid Control Matters on Mirage
You do not need to run professional team defaults to understand why Mid is valuable.
Without Mid, the Terrorist side is largely attacking through A Ramp, Palace or B Apartments.
With Mid, Connector becomes an A route and Short becomes a B route.
That means defenders have more entrances to worry about.
It is also why the calls Window, Connector, Underpass and Short matter so much. Hearing one of those often tells you more about the round than simply hearing “Mid.”
Mirage B Site Callouts
B is physically smaller than A, but the fights happen quickly.
If attackers explode out of Apartments, you do not have much time to explain where everybody is.
That is why the basic B Site names need to become automatic.
B Apartments
B Apartments, usually shortened to Apps, is the main Terrorist route into B.
“Three apps” is one of the most common calls you will hear when defending the site.
Apps Ramp
Apps Ramp is farther back on the Terrorist approach before players reach the main Apartments area.
B Plat
B Plat is the platform at the end of Apartments where attackers begin entering the actual site.
Van
Van is the vehicle directly across from Apartments.
It is one of the classic B anchor positions and normally one of the first places attackers check when leaving Apps.
Bench
Bench is the position along the back side of B near the bench and wall.
A player tucked here can be surprisingly difficult to see during a fast execute.
B Site
B Site is the actual bombsite area.
Use more specific calls like Bench, Van or Default whenever you know the exact position.
Default
Default is the standard planting area on B.
Do not confuse B Default with A Default when giving a call after rotating.
Boost Boxes
These are the boxes on B that players can use for an elevated position.
E Box
E Box is toward the Market side of the site.
It is a more specific call that becomes useful once you are comfortable with the basic B positions.
Empty
Empty refers to the pillar closest to the Market Door side.
This is another secondary callout that newer players do not need to memorize on day one.
Short Corner
Short Corner is the tucked corner on the Short side as players approach B from Mid.
Arches
Arches is the area connecting the Short side into B.
You may hear different names depending on the region or players you queue with, but knowing the general Short route is what matters most.
Market
Market is the room defenders normally rotate through to reach B from CT Spawn.
If your team takes B and somebody says “last market,” you should immediately know where the retake is coming from.
Market Door
Market Door is the ground level doorway from Market onto B.
Calling Door instead of simply Market tells your teammate the opponent is already close to the site.
Market Window
Market Window is the window overlooking B Site.
Be careful with the word Window on Mirage.
If the fight is around Mid, Window normally means the Mid Window or Sniper’s Nest.
If everyone is fighting on B, “Market Window” means this one.
Sneaky
Sneaky is a tucked position inside the Market area.
It is a much less common call, but useful once you know every major location.
Kitchen
Kitchen is around the Apartments side before the final B approach.
Some callout names vary between regions and player groups, so you may occasionally hear Kitchen used differently.
T Side Routes and Smaller Mirage Callouts
There are a few extra names between the major areas that are useful to recognize.
T Spawn
This is where the Terrorist team starts.
Simple.
Side Alley
Side Alley is the route between the T Spawn side and Mid.
House
House is part of the route connecting the Terrorist side with the Apartments area.
TV
TV is named after the television inside the route toward B Apartments.
Cart
Cart is along the path leading toward Apartments.
The physical object changed over the years, but the old callout stuck.
Back Alley
Back Alley is the area connecting House with the B Apartments side.
These are lower priority than A Site, Mid and B Site calls, but they help when somebody pushes deep into Terrorist territory.
Mirage Callouts That Players Sometimes Name Differently
Not every Mirage callout is completely universal.
Counter Strike developed through years of matchmaking, FACEIT, professional play and different regions, so some names overlap.
The most important examples are:
| You Might Hear | Usually Means |
|---|---|
| Window / Sniper’s Nest | Mid Window |
| Cat / Catwalk | Mid route toward B |
| Short / B Short | Final part of Catwalk toward B |
| Apps / Apartments | B Apartments |
| Ticket / Ticket Booth | Ticket area near CT on A |
| CT / CT Spawn | CT side of A or actual spawn depending on context |
| Triple / Triple Box | Triple boxes on A |
Do not waste time arguing with a teammate about which version is technically correct.
The purpose of a callout is getting information across quickly.
Best Way to Learn Mirage Callouts
Opening a map image and trying to memorize fifty names is miserable.
Learn Mirage in layers instead.
First: learn the routes
Start with:
T Spawn
A Ramp
Palace
Top Mid
Underpass
B Apartments
Now you understand where attackers can begin a round.
Second: learn Mid
Add:
Window
Connector
Catwalk
Short
Ladder Room
You can now understand most Mid fights.
Third: learn A
Add:
Tetris
Default
Triple
Firebox
Stairs
Jungle
Ticket
CT
Fourth: learn B
Add:
Van
Bench
Default
Market
Market Door
Market Window
At that point you know enough Mirage callouts to communicate properly in almost any normal match.
If you are learning CS2 from scratch, our CS2 ranks guide also explains how your Competitive rank works separately on each map.
How to Give Better Mirage Comms
Knowing the names is only half of it.
Do not turn every call into a sentence.
Instead of:
“I think there might be a guy somewhere over around Jungle and I saw him a second ago.”
Say:
“One Jungle, 70 HP.”
Instead of:
“They are all coming B.”
Say:
“Three Apps, bomb seen.”
Instead of:
“He’s around Mid somewhere.”
Say:
“AWP Window.”
Good information usually answers three things:
Where?
How many?
Anything important?
For example:
“Two Ramp, bomb.”
“One Bench, low.”
“AWP Window.”
“One underpass going connector.”
That is all your teammate needs.
Are Mirage Callouts the Same in CS2 and CS:GO?
For the most part, yes.
Most of the established Mirage location names carried over from CS:GO because the overall competitive layout remains familiar.
Names like Jungle, Connector, Tetris, Palace, Window, Bench and Van are still used in CS2.
That is useful if you are coming back after years away. You do not need to relearn the map’s entire vocabulary from scratch.
Is Mirage Still in CS2 Premier in 2026?
Yes.
Mirage remains part of the Active Duty map pool for Premier Season 5.
Valve changed the pool in July 2026 by bringing Cache into Active Duty and removing Overpass, while Mirage remained.
If you are trying to learn the current rotation, check our Cache callouts guide next.
Other CS2 Callout Guides
Once Mirage feels automatic, learning the other maps becomes much easier.
DaddySkins also has guides for:
And if you still play maps outside the current Premier rotation, we also have an Overpass callouts guide.
Final Thoughts
You do not need every obscure Mirage callout memorized before your next match.
Start with the positions that actually change rounds.
Learn Window, Connector, Jungle, Ramp, Palace, Tetris, Ticket, Apps, Van, Bench, Short and Market first.
Once those are automatic, add the smaller positions.
The goal is not to memorize a vocabulary test.
It is to hear “one Jungle” and know exactly where to look.
