Best Custom Diagonal Movement Angles for Fortnite Keyboard

Quick pick: try 60° forward, 75° strafe, and 135° backward as a balanced starting point for Fortnite keyboard movement. It is a practical baseline, not an Epic Games or pro-player prescription. If you want a more natural, less sideways feel for building, test 55°–60° forward and 65°–75° strafe. If you play Zero Build and rely on lateral dodging, test 65°–70° forward and 80°–90° strafe. Keep the backward angle near 125°–135° until you have a reason to change it.

These numbers adjust the direction you move when combining WASD keys. They do not unlock a faster sprint or guarantee better aim. The best custom diagonal angles are the ones that preserve the movement you expect while letting you strafe or move diagonally without turning your camera away from a fight.

Recommended angle presets

The ranges are starting points, not measured performance guarantees. Epic’s own announcement for the feature says players can adjust diagonal movement to their preferred angles; it does not publish a single best preset. Treat the table as a shortlist to test in your chosen mode, then keep the combination that feels consistent on both left and right inputs.

What each angle changes

Forward diagonal angle

This controls the direction associated with moving forward and sideways together, such as W+A or W+D. A lower value keeps the direction closer to straight ahead; a higher value pushes it farther toward the side. Choose a lower setting if you want forward momentum to feel familiar while building. Try a larger value if you want a wider diagonal while moving and aiming at the same time.

Strafe angle

Strafe angle affects how far sideways your movement goes when combining inputs. Values nearer to 90° are a useful way to explore more side-oriented movement, while a smaller value may feel less extreme. If strafing makes you overshoot cover or disrupts your build timing, reduce this angle before changing every slider.

Backward diagonal angle

This controls diagonal movement while pressing backward with a side key, such as S+A or S+D. Around 135° is a straightforward starting reference for moving back and to either side. Lower values can make the direction feel less directly backward; changing it can affect how retreating and defensive movement feels. Keep it stable during the first tests so you can tell what the forward and strafe adjustments do.

Important limitation: Epic’s public notes describe the forward and backward settings but do not give an official definition or recommended value for every slider. Mode, movement state, and muscle memory can also change how an angle feels. Make a small adjustment and compare it in the mode you actually play.

How to find the right setup

1. Open the keyboard movement controls. From the lobby, open the menu, choose the gear icon for Settings, then select the Mouse and Keyboard tab (shown with an arrow-key icon in Epic’s support instructions). Find Keyboard Movement and turn on Use Custom Diagonals. The labels and available options can depend on the selected game mode, so return to the lobby and choose the mode you intend to play if the setting is missing.
2. Enter one baseline. Start with 60° forward, 75° strafe, and 135° backward. Write down your previous values first so you can restore them. Avoid adjusting sensitivity, keybinds, and diagonals all at once.
3. Test the same movements on both sides. In a quiet Creative island or another low-pressure area, run W+A and W+D, then A and D while keeping the camera aimed forward. Try S+A and S+D, too. Look for whether the character travels in a predictable direction, whether the left and right sides feel reasonably similar, and whether you can keep your crosshair where you intend.
4. Check your real use case. Builders should test movement while placing and editing builds, including quick side steps around a wall. Zero Build players should test strafing around cover while tracking a target. If a setting feels good in a straight run but makes these actions inconsistent, it is not the right value for that use.
5. Change one slider at a time. If forward diagonals drift too far sideways, lower Forward Diagonal Angle by a few degrees. If side movement feels too narrow, raise Strafe Angle modestly. If retreating diagonally feels wrong, adjust Backward Diagonal Angle separately. Repeat the same test after every change.
6. Keep the values that stay repeatable. Confirm them in more than one match or practice session before deciding. A good result is predictable movement in both directions, clean build inputs, and no need to overcorrect your aim to compensate for a diagonal.

Why the 70° warning needs context

Some older advice says never set Forward Diagonal Angle above 70°. That warning had a real basis, but it should not be treated as a permanent rule. Epic’s v42.10 Battle Royale update notes state that the team fixed a bug that prevented sprinting when Forward Diagonal Angle was set higher than 70. That confirms the problem was a movement bug; it does not establish 70° as the ideal value for every player. Action: update Fortnite before testing higher values, and if sprinting still fails, first reset the angle to 70° or below as a temporary diagnostic check, then consult current Epic support or release notes.

Another misconception is that custom diagonals automatically make keyboard movement faster. The setting is described as an angle adjustment. Do not assume it increases top running speed; judge it by the direction and control you get when you combine movement keys.

Quick adjustment checklist

• Custom Diagonals is enabled in the Mouse and Keyboard settings.
• You are testing in the mode you actually play, with the same keybinds.
• Forward-left and forward-right both feel controlled.
• Strafing does not make you lose the intended aim or overshoot cover.
• Backward diagonals remain usable for retreating and defensive movement.
• You changed one angle at a time and kept a note of the values that felt best.
• If sprinting breaks at a high forward angle, you checked that Fortnite is updated and tested a lower value to isolate the issue.

For most players who want a single recommendation, begin at 60° / 75° / 135°. Then move toward 55°–60° forward for a tighter building feel or 65°–70° forward with 80°–90° strafe for broader lateral movement. Keep the backward value near 135° unless your own movement tests show that it needs adjustment.

Official references

• Epic Games: Fortnite v22.20 and Custom Diagonals Keyboard Movement
• Epic Games: v42.10 Battle Royale update notes and the sprinting bug fix
• Epic Games Support: Change Fortnite controls on PC or console
• Epic Games Support: Find gameplay control updates