Demo basics
How to Download a CS2 Demo
A CS2 demo contains match replay data, not video. Download it from the platform where you played, then use the local file to watch the match or make a highlight.
Updated
Download from your match source
- 01FACEIT: open your completed match room and click Watch Demo in the center of the page.
- 02Valve matches: open your match history in CS2, select the match, and use its replay download option if available.
- 03Save the archive or .dem file locally and extract it when the platform provides a compressed download.
- 04Keep the original file until the highlight video has finished rendering.
Check the file before uploading
- A raw demo normally ends in .dem.
- Choose .dem or .dem.bz2, up to 1 GiB. Extract .gz or .zip downloads first; renaming an archive does not unpack it.
- A demo is not playable in a normal media player and cannot be shared as an MP4 yet.
- Platform availability changes, so use the local download option shown for that specific match.
Turn the downloaded demo into a clip
Open Studio and choose the local file. n1cetry will list suggested multi-kills, clutches, and key rounds. Select one to make a video.
Frequently asked questions
Why did I receive a compressed demo?
Match platforms often compress demos to reduce download size. Keep the archive intact or extract it to a .dem file; n1cetry accepts the supported compressed demo formats directly.
Can I download a demo after it expires?
Usually not from the original match source. Demo retention is controlled by that platform, so download important matches before their replay link expires.