This guide will show you both the basic and advanced callouts for each map currently available in casual and competitive modes. Additionally, I have included some line-up guides and some background information for each map to explain how it has evolved and some.

Keep in mind that this guide will be updated as new updates modify the layout of existing maps or introduce new official maps.

All images, including the background, layout, and avatar, were obtained from the game's internal files. All edits were created by me.

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3541662342

Callouts are names that players use to refer to specific spots on a map. It helps to communicate quickly with the team during a match, whether to report enemy positions or indicate where you're going.

Callouts are based on relative locations, strategic positions, and/or clear visual features of those spots.
For example:

• Default: The spot where the C4 is most effectively planted.
  
• Sniper Nest: A window where a sniper usually sits.
  
• Headshot: A cover that protects your whole body but leaves your head exposed.
  
• Suicide: A high-risk, high-reward location.
  
• Lane: A narrow hallway.
  
• Mid: A wide hallway in the middle of the map.
  
• Heaven: A very high location, usually paired with a lower one (Hell).
  
• Short/Long: Pathways of short or long distance.
  
• Connector: A map area that typically links mid to an important site (technically, Catwalk/Short on Dust 2 is a connector, but it's commonly named based on its structure).
  
• Church/Palace/Market/Garage: Notable buildings where action usually takes place.
  
• Rock/Tree/Fountain/Ebox: Notable objects in a specific area. Some provide cover, while others simply serve as location identifiers.

To use them properly, we should follow these basic communication rules:

• Stay calm:
  Avoid shouting the position; it only unsettles the team. There’s no point in yelling “IT’S B, ALL B!” too early, triggering a rushed rotation, when in reality they’re doing a fake execution and the real attack is on A.
  The proper way is:
  
  • If you see a utility execution , say they’re throwing utility.
    
  • If you see them enter, say they’re entering.
    
  • If two come in, say it’s two.
  Never skip details, especially under pressure.
  
  
• Be specific and concise:
  Although maps aren't huge, each area has a major impact on the game. Saying “he's over there” or “he's behind” is useless, since every player interprets it differently. Clearly stating the location and how many enemies there are can decide the round.
  
  
• Avoid repeated callouts:
  Have you ever thought about how many cars there are in Dust2? How many double doors? How many platforms?
  If you see an enemy at long doors and say “he's at double doors,” you might confuse your team and make them check mid doors instead, leading to death from an unexpected position. Each area should have a clear and unique callout.
  
  
• Avoid making up random callouts:
  Some players create their own callouts for spots on the map, which may make sense to their group but confuse everyone else. These made-up callouts can be misleading, especially for new players and often don’t reflect the map's layout or design.
  In the end, players learn incorrect callouts that only work within a closed group, leading to miscommunication when playing with others.
  
  
• Live in the present, not the past:
  In previous versions of Counter-Strike, there was a palm tree in Dust2, a library in Inferno, or a radio room in Nuke. That was over 10 years ago.
  Maps have changed. Using outdated callouts causes confusion, especially from those who resist accepting that evolution.
  
  
• Learn the callouts of each map:
  No one is born knowing them. It’s important to correct mistakes and keep learning. Learning callouts is easy if you avoid complicating them with unnecessary terms.
  That’s what this guide is for: to show you all the correct callouts for each official map.

• Creator: Jo "MEEEEDIC" Bieg
  
• Location: United States
  
• Introduction: November 5, 1999
  
• Game mode: Bomb Defusal

Set in a nuclear power plant, Nuke was introduced in Beta 4.0, making it the oldest map still available in the franchise. Over time, it underwent several reworks, including a challenging period in 2016–2017 due to its controversial redesign at the time. After numerous adjustments, the map evolved into the version we know today.

Despite these improvements, Nuke remains a map with a notable disadvantage for the T side. Even so, it has endured as one of the most entertaining maps to both watch and play.

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3532710368

• Creator: Christopher "Cancerboy" Mair
  
• Location: Russia
  
• Introduction: December 30, 1999
  
• Game mode: Bomb Defusal

Created in 1999, the map's development team, known as "Barking Dog Studios" at the time, aimed to create a train-themed map inspired by a train station located just a few meters from their offices. Train's development progressed quickly and it was introduced in Beta 5.0, rapidly becoming a community favorite. The map saw minimal changes to its layout until the release of CS:GO, when the CS team began adapting it for competitive play. In 2014, the map underwent more significant changes.

Train remained a prominent map in the game, but the CS team removed it from the active map pool to make room for Ancient and address balance issues. In 2024, Train returned in CS2 with new updates, achieving greater balance.

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3532710758

• Creator: Glen "glenC" Cooper & Jaison "DigiChaos" Green
  
• Location: Italy
  
• Introduction: June 8, 2000
  
• Game mode: Hostage rescue

Introduced in Beta 6.5, Italy is a map inspired by its namesake country. Since 1999, its layout remained unchanged until it received minor updates for CS:GO, followed by further balancing in CS2.

Due to the limitations of hostage mode, this map was initially excluded from competitive play. However, after these adjustments, it finally secured a spot in the competitive map pool in 2024.

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3532710091

• Creator: Alexander "Hobbit" Manilov
  
• Location: United States
  
• Introduction: August 27, 2000
  
• Game mode: Hostage rescue

One of the most classic maps in the franchise, Office was introduced in beta 7.0 as a hostage map set in a snow-covered office. It holds many memories and is a lot of fun to play casually. However, despite these positives, the map and its gameplay suffer from serious balance issues.

The map hasn't changed much since its release, retaining large areas that serve no purpose in gameplay. Additionally, due to the smoke grenade mechanic, the T side can barricade themselves in their base with all the hostages, allowing the clock to run in their favor. Competitively, it never managed to stand out—not only because of the problems mentioned above but also due to the inherent limitations of hostage mode.

Today, it could be said that Office is one of the least favored maps in the game, largely due to the CS team's lack of interest in treating one of the franchise's most iconic maps with the respect it deserves.

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3532710505

• Creator: David "DaveJ" Johnston
  
• Location: Morocco
  
• Introduction: March 13, 2001
  
• Game mode: Bomb Defusal

In 1999, the CS team introduced de_dust in beta 4.0. At the time, the map was so popular that its creators decided to design a more balanced and ambitious successor. In March 2001, Dust II was introduced to the franchise set in a Morocco urban area, quickly surpassing its predecessor and remaining the most popular map in Counter-Strike.

Dust 2 has maintained its presence to this day, appearing in numerous tournaments, and despite the years, the map remains virtually unchanged from its origins.

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3532709428

• Creator: Christopher "Barney" Auty
  
• Location: Italy
  
• Introduction: March 13, 2001
  
• Game mode: Bomb Defusal

Set in an Italian neighborhood, Inferno was introduced to the franchise in version 1.1 with a layout noticeably different from its current form. In 2003, it underwent several changes to balance the map, becoming one of the most popular maps in the franchise. For CS:S, the map received additional adjustments to its layout, which were later reverted for CS:GO. In 2016, it received a visual update that corrected awkward angles and improved overall gameplay.

Since its introduction, Inferno has maintained a strong presence in the competitive scene, standing alongside Dust II and Mirage as one of the franchise's most iconic maps.

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3532709891

• Creator: Christopher "Barney" Auty
  
• Location: United States
  
• Introduction: March 13, 2001
  
• Game mode: Bomb Defusal

Probably the most infamous map in existence today, Vertigo was introduced in patch 1.1 as a map set in a skyscraper under construction. Despite being fun to play casually, it was very labyrinthine, wide, and had unfair structures, which caused it to miss the opportunity to be played in professional tournaments. The map was absent for a long time until its return for CS:GO, unfortunately bringing back several bugs from the past. Because of this, it was once again excluded from several important tournaments.

In November 2017, the CS team decided to remove the map from the game, promising that it would return one day. In March 2019, Vertigo made its return with a new rework, entering the competitive map pool despite not being fully ready. Over time, the map underwent constant adjustments while remaining in the active map pool to this day.

With the arrival of CS2, Vertigo remained faithful to its final CS:GO design. However, its layout still presents issues that fail to meet the game’s standards. Consequently, the map was removed from the active map pool on January 28, 2025, with the hope that it will return better than ever.

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3532710880

• Creator: Michael "BubkeZ" Hüll
  
• Location: Morocco
  
• Introduction: June 12, 2013
  
• Game mode: Bomb Defusal

Loved by many and hated by others, cpl_strike was a map created for the "Cyberathlete Professional League" (CPL) tournaments in 2003. After several changes and legal issues, its non-CPL version was released in 2004 under the name de_mirage.

In 2013, the map was acquired by the CS team and implemented into CS:GO, set in an urban area of Morocco. Since then, Mirage has continued to grow, appearing in practically all competitive tournaments. Today, it remains stronger than ever, being one of the most balanced competitive maps available.

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3532710262

• Creator: Magnar "insta" Jenssen
  
• Location: Germany
  
• Introduction: December 18, 2013
  
• Game mode: Bomb Defusal

Introduced in late 2013 for CS:GO, Overpass is a completely original map created by the CS team, set in an urban area of Germany. Its initial versions featured noticeably different paths, with the final version favoring the CT side and including some ridiculous boosts that have since been corrected. The map was well received by both the community and professional tournaments, earning the affection of many.

In 2024, a little more than 10 years after its release, it was removed from the active map pool of CS2 despite being at its peak. However, on July 15, 2025, it returned to the active map pool with minor changes, replacing Anubis.

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3532710628

• Creator: "Roald", "jakuza" & "jd40".
  
• Location: Egypt
  
• Introduction: March 31, 2020
  
• Game mode: Bomb Defusal

Being a new and unknown map set in ruins in Egypt, Anubis managed to find its place in the game in 2020, alongside other community maps. In its short time, it showed quite a bit of promise, becoming the map of the moment to the point that the CS team decided to acquire it along with Tuscan.

Anubis returns for CS2, staying true to its version in CS:GO. However, the new engine and gameplay mechanics brought new issues, leading to a significant imbalance in favor of the T side. As a result, the CS team removed it from the active map pool on July 15, 2025, until it could be rebalanced.

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3532709200

• Creator: The CS team
  
• Location: Mexico
  
• Introduction: December 3, 2020
  
• Game mode: Bomb Defusal

Introduced in beta 6.5, de_aztec remained a fun map for casual play for a long time. However, it was not competitively viable and was excluded from professional tournaments. After its return for CS:GO, its player base hit rock bottom, making it the least played map in the pool. As a result, the CS team decided to remove the map from the game in November 2017, promising it would return one day.

In December 2020, Aztec made a "clean slate" and was reintroduced under the name Ancient set in the same Aztec ruins as its predecessor. This radical change allowed it to participate in professional tournaments, where it remains today as an excellent competitive map.

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3532708794

• Creator: Shawn "FMPONE" Snelling
  
• Location: Greece
  
• Introduction: June 25, 2024
  
• Game mode: Bomb Defusal

With Cache, Tuscan, and Anubis now in the hands of the CS team, Thera has become the best community map currently available. Originally known as Santorini, it was introduced on February 17, 2016, alongside Operation Wildfire. Since then, it showed great potential for the competitive map pool, but unfortunately, the CS team chose to leave it out. Despite this, FMPone took the opportunity to keep refining the map.

Shortly after the release of CS2, FMPone presented the new version of Santorini, now called Thera, with a refined layout worthy of becoming an official map. Thera had the chance to enter the community map pool on June 25, 2024, once again drawing attention, but due to its community-made nature, it was forced into a map rotation and removed on November 13, 2024.

• Creator: "Catfood"
  
• Location: Netherlands
  
• Introduction: June 25, 2024
  
• Game mode: Bomb Defusal

One of Catfood's latest creations, Mills was introduced alongside Thera on June 25, 2024, and was removed on November 13, 2024. Despite being visually appealing and having an interesting layout, it makes mistakes in color theme usage and its layout ends up being quite confusing.

• Creator: "RZL", "Yanzl" & "Oliver"
  
• Location: Iceland
  
• Introduction: November 13, 2024
  
• Game mode: Bomb Defusal

Introduced in Operation Riptide on September 21, 2021, Basalt is a map that managed to create a well-balanced and easy-to-memorize layout. Combined with its theme, it becomes a rather relaxing and enjoyable map. This went even further when Basalt returned to CS2 on November 13, 2024, with its theme and layout greatly improved thanks to the game's new graphics engine, making it a potential candidate for the competitive map pool. Due to the community map rotation, the map was removed on May 7, 2025.

• Creator: "Slimek", "Peake" & "KlixX"
  
• Location: United Kingdom
  
• Introduction: November 13, 2024
  
• Game mode: Bomb Defusal

Introduced on November 13, 2024, Edin made its debut in the community pool with an interesting layout: the B bombsite was much closer to the T side, being practically in the middle. Despite this, the map offered good balance, and along with its color theme and design, it managed to meet the community’s expectations. The map was removed on May 7, 2025.

• Creator: Radu Tanasie, Bartlomiej "Lizard" Guzek & Florian "flowlee" Wagner
  
• Location: United States?
  
• Introduction: May 7, 2025
  
• Game mode: Bomb Defusal

The most bizarre map to date: Introduced on May 7, 2025, Grail drew strong attention from the community due to its unique theme, being a fully cartoon-styled map. This generated both positive and negative feedback, especially given the large number of bugs it showed, suggesting it wasn't a map expected in the community pool. Despite this, it has good balance and quickly gained fans. The map will be removed in Winter 2025.

• Creator: ProAgressiVe, vfxNev & nelson
  
• Location: Poland
  
• Introduction: May 7, 2025
  
• Game mode: Bomb Defusal

Introduced on May 7, 2025, Jura is a map with a peaceful atmosphere full of detail. Like Edin, the B bombsite is much closer to the T side, but that doesn't make it easily accessible. Its environment quickly reminds us of Cobblestone, but with a more ruined and touristic style. Similar to Grail, the map focused so much on detail that it seemed like it wasn’t expected to enter the community pool. This is due to its color palette, bugs, and poor performance. Despite that, it managed to meet the community’s expectations. The map will be removed in Winter 2025.

• Creator: Puddy, Evert & nilla bo billa ba balla
  
• Location: United States
  
• Introduction: May 7, 2025
  
• Game mode: Hostage rescue

Probably the most balanced hostage map to date, even surpassing official maps. Agency was originally introduced on September 19, 2013, during Operation Bravo. From there, it went on to appear in several operations: Phoenix, Bloodhound, and Hydra. Thanks to its strong balance, it earned the community's appreciation and remained the best hostage mode map to this day. It was permanently featured in CS:GO without ever being officially purchased by the CS team, showcasing its great potential as an official map. On May 7, 2025, Agency returned to CS2 with a renewed theme and layout, making it even more balanced.

Interestingly, this is the first time the CS team has introduced three community maps instead of two—could this mean Agency will once again earn its permanent spot in the game?

• Creator: Lari "CryptR" Muuriaisniemi
  
• Location: United States
  
• Introduction: June 27, 1999
  
• Game mode: Hostage rescue

[cs_assault_picture_missing_error]

Counter-Strike's oldest map traces its origins back to Beta 1.0 as a reimagining of the "cs_wpndepot" map. Assault was introduced in Beta 1.1 and became extremely popular, winning the affection of many despite being a rather awkward map due to its angles and verticality. In later updates, the map remained practically unchanged, with only minor gameplay tweaks. However, it continued to heavily favor the T side.

While successful in casual play, the map struggled in competitive settings and was ultimately discarded due to these balance issues. Additionally, hostage mode, as it was originally designed, never performed as well as defuse mode. Even with the improvements made to hostage mode in CS:GO, all hostage maps, including Assault, were largely forgotten.

There is little evidence to suggest this map might return to the game. The only hint is an easter egg in Train labeled "warehouse." If Assault does return, it would likely undergo radical changes to make it viable for competitive play.

• Creator: Andrew Aumann
  
• Location: United States
  
• Introduction: September 14, 1999
  
• Game mode: Hostage rescue

[cs_militia_picture_missing_error]

Introduced in Beta 3.0, Militia is set on a farm in the state of Montana, United States. It was inspired by a real-life event that took place in 1996, involving an extremist group barricaded on a ranch near Jordan, Montana. The map remained one of the most popular in hostage mode, receiving multiple visual overhauls across different game versions.

In CS:GO, Militia returned with several improvements in both visuals and gameplay. However, despite its popularity, it never gained competitive relevance, leading to its removal from the game in 2017. It returned in 2018 with a winter-themed version, but it still didn’t gain much traction.

During the transition to CS2, the map was completely removed from the game, and unfortunately, there are no clear signs that it will ever return to the map pool.

• Creator: David "DaveJ" Johnston
  
• Location: Iraq
  
• Introduction: November 5, 1999
  
• Game mode: Bomb Defusal

• Creator: Christopher "Barney" Auty & Chris "MacMan" Ashton
  
• Location: Mexico
  
• Introduction: June 8, 2000
  
• Game mode: Bomb Defusal

• Creator: David "DaveJ" Johnston
  
• Location: France
  
• Introduction: June 8, 2000
  
• Game mode: Bomb Defusal

[de_cbble_s2_picture_missing_error]

In 2000, DaveJ created de_cbble after a failed attempt to design a castle-themed map according to his vision. Despite this, Cobble was introduced to the franchise in beta 6.5 and eventually became one of the most popular maps, even surpassing de_dust.

Cobble reappeared for CS:GO with some changes compared to the original. However, despite its success in casual mode, the map was not in optimal condition for professional tournaments. As a result, it underwent several remodels in an attempt to become competitively viable. In 2018, the map suffered radical changes that significantly affected its gameplay, leading to a loss of popularity. By 2019, it was removed from the competitive map pool.

Between 2022 and 2023, several leaks from dataminers hinted that Cobblestone might return for CS2 in the future. It is estimated that the map could make a comeback by 2025.

• Creator: Salvatore "Volcano" Garozzo & Shawn "FMPONE" Snelling
  
• Location: Ukraine
  
• Introduction: September 19, 2013
  
• Game mode: Bomb Defusal

Set in Chernobyl, Cache was created in 2011 to participate in ESEA professional tournaments for CS:S. Its popularity was so significant that, in 2013, it was introduced to the franchise and added to the active map pool for CS:GO, despite not being officially acquired by the CS team. In 2019, the map was removed from the active map pool to make way for Vertigo, and shortly after, a rework was released featuring a more natural setting surrounded by vegetation. This, however, introduced a new problem: shortly after the rework, the CS team released new purchasable agents that were too camouflaged within the updated version of Cache, forcing FMPONE to adjust the map's color palette.

Despite the rework, the map could not return to the active map pool because the CS team, lacking control over the map, faced challenges in addressing issues beyond their jurisdiction. As a result, Cache did not make it into CS2, but FMPONE began working on a new version of the map that blends the original aesthetic with the 2019 rework. This new version was completed on March 3, 2025, and shortly after that, the map was finally acquired by the CS team. Despite being published on the Workshop, its inclusion in the active map pool is still awaited.

• Creator: Iikka Keränen
  
• Location: Italy
  
• Introduction: March 15, 2017
  
• Game mode: Bomb Defusal

• Creator: Colin "brute" Volrath
  
• Location: Italy
  
• Introduction: August 16, 2022
  
• Game mode: Bomb Defusal

[de_tuscan_s2_picture_missing_error]

Like cpl_strike, cpl_mill was a map created for the "Cyberathlete Professional League" (CPL) tournaments in 2000. After several changes and legal issues, its non-CPL version was released in 2005 under the name de_tuscan.

Despite being extremely popular in competitive play and having versions ready for official incorporation into the franchise, the CS team chose to ignore this map for unknown reasons. In 2014, Brute introduced a new version of the map for CS:GO, but due to personal issues, he was unable to optimize it properly for competitive viability. It wasn’t until 2019 that he collaborated with "CatFood" to create a version that met modern standards.

After demonstrating its potential, the CS team officially acquired the map. However, Tuscan did not return for CS2, leaving behind leaks that suggest it could return in the future.

Check out my other CS2 Guides!

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3260510071

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3369101532

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3259924542

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3369858748