When you plug a mouse into a computer running Ubuntu Linux (or almost any modern operating system), it utilizes a feature called “Pointer Acceleration.” This software algorithm dynamically changes the speed of your mouse cursor based on how fast your physical hand is moving. If you move your hand slowly, the cursor crawls, allowing for precise clicking. If you flick your wrist quickly, the cursor automatically accelerates, flying across the screen to help you navigate large monitors.
While acceleration is generally helpful for trackpads and basic office work, it is universally despised by PC gamers. In fast-paced video games (like first-person shooters or MOBAs), you rely on “muscle memory” to aim precisely. If the operating system is constantly accelerating and decelerating the cursor based on the velocity of your hand, your aim will be completely inconsistent. Moving the mouse one inch will result in a different on-screen distance every single time.
To achieve 1:1, pixel-perfect accuracy, you must completely disable the acceleration curve and force Ubuntu to use a “Flat” acceleration profile.
How to Turn Off Mouse Acceleration in Ubuntu
You can disable the software acceleration directly through the GNOME Settings GUI.
- Open the Settings application (you can search for it in the Activities overview).
- In the left-hand navigation sidebar, click on Mouse & Touchpad.
- Under the “Mouse” section, look for the option labeled Mouse Acceleration (or Pointer Acceleration in some older GNOME versions).
- You will see a few different profile options. By default, it is usually set to “Adaptive.”
- Change the selection to Flat.
- (Optional) You can now use the “Pointer Speed” slider directly above it to adjust your new, static baseline speed.
Ubuntu’s input driver will immediately stop manipulating your cursor’s velocity. Moving your physical mouse one inch across your desk will now always result in the exact same distance traveled on the screen, regardless of how fast or slow you move your hand.