What Is ADR in CS2? Damage Per Round Explained Simply

If you have ever finished a CS2 match thinking I swear I was doing work but my kills do not show it, ADR is the stat that usually tells the real story.

ADR means Average Damage per Round. It measures how much damage you deal to enemies, on average, each round. Higher ADR usually means you are consistently weakening enemies, opening rounds, and setting up easier trades for your team, even when you are not always the one landing the final shot.

Table of Contents

What ADR actually stands for

ADR is short for Average Damage per Round.

Think of it like this
Every round you play, you deal some amount of damage. ADR takes your total damage across the match and divides it by the number of rounds played.

The simple formula

ADR = Total damage dealt ÷ Rounds played

Example
You dealt 1650 damage in a 24 round match
1650 ÷ 24 = 68.75 ADR

Where to see ADR in CS2

In CS2, ADR is shown on the scoreboard and in match results, alongside your other stats like kills and assists.

Tip
If you are comparing players in the same match, ADR is very useful because everyone played the same number of rounds, so the comparison is clean.

Why ADR matters more than people think

Kills can be misleading.

You can finish a match with a modest kill count but still be the reason rounds are won because you are
1 tagging enemies early
2 forcing them to waste utility
3 leaving them one bullet for your teammate
4 softening bombsite anchors before the hit

That impact shows up in ADR. That is why it is used widely in pro and stat tracking communities as a core performance indicator.

What is a good ADR in CS2

There is no single perfect number because roles matter. An entry fragger and an AWP player often produce damage differently. Still, these ranges are a good practical guide for most players in matchmaking.

ADR range	What it usually means
Under 50	Not dealing consistent damage, often losing fights early
50 to 70	Contributing some damage, but not enough impact in key rounds
70 to 90	Strong and consistent damage, usually a solid carry level
90 plus	Very high impact, regularly winning duels or heavily chunking enemies

Entry fraggers and aggressive riflers tend to have higher ADR, while passive anchors or dedicated AWPers may sit slightly lower without necessarily playing poorly. Context always matters.

ADR compared to other stats

ADR is best used alongside other statistics rather than on its own.

Kills show who finishes fights.
ADR shows who shapes fights.

KAST reflects consistency across rounds.
ADR reflects raw damage output.

Ratings combine several elements, and damage is usually a major factor in those calculations.

If your ADR is high but your kills are average, it often means you are doing the hard work without always getting the credit. If both are low, it usually signals positioning or decision making issues.

What actually increases ADR

Improving ADR does not mean playing recklessly or chasing damage. The biggest gains usually come from smarter fundamentals.

Consistently landing first bullet damage is one of the fastest ways to raise ADR. Even a single clean tag changes the round.

Using utility properly also plays a major role. Well placed HE grenades, molotovs that force movement, and flashes that enable clean duels all contribute to damage without unnecessary risk.

Trading correctly matters more than chasing solo plays. Being close enough to deal damage when a teammate engages often boosts ADR naturally.

Finally, positioning matters. Playing angles where contact actually happens will always generate more meaningful damage than sitting passive and rotating late every round.

Common misunderstandings about ADR

A high ADR does not automatically mean you played perfectly. Damage dealt after a round is already lost has less value than early or mid round damage.

Likewise, a lower ADR does not always mean poor play. Some roles prioritize survival, information, or late round decision making over raw damage.

ADR should be read as a signal, not a verdict.

How to use ADR to improve

Instead of chasing a specific number, use ADR as feedback.

If your ADR is low, review how often you die without dealing damage.
If your ADR is high but wins are not coming, look at when the damage happens.
If your ADR fluctuates heavily, consistency is likely the issue.

Tracking ADR over multiple matches gives a far clearer picture than judging a single game.