# Camera shake and aim sway for FiveM weapons

> Add or remove camera shake in FiveM: ShakeGameplayCam shake names and intensity, weapons.meta recoil shake fields, and stamina or injury sway scripts.

Source: https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-weapon-camera-shake-sway · FAM Tools · published 2026-09-11 · updated 2026-09-11 · about 9 min

**Short answer.** `ShakeGameplayCam(name, intensity)` starts a named shake such as `HAND_SHAKE` or `DRUNK_SHAKE`; `SetGameplayCamShakeAmplitude` changes its strength and `StopGameplayCamShaking(true)` ends it. Per-weapon firing shake comes from `weapons.meta` fields like `RecoilShakeHash` and `RecoilShakeAmplitude`. Use gentle, short shakes tied to gameplay (stamina, injuries) and let players aim through them.

## Key points

- Script shakes: `ShakeGameplayCam` + `SetGameplayCamShakeAmplitude` + `StopGameplayCamShaking`.
- `HAND_SHAKE` at low intensity is the classic aim sway.
- Firing shake is per weapon in `weapons.meta`.
- Recoil (camera kick) and shake are different things.
- Keep intensities low — motion sickness is real.

Camera shake makes weapons feel heavy — or unbearable. A little hand sway after sprinting rewards careful play; too much makes players motion-sick. FiveM gives you two levers: the recoil shake defined per weapon in `weapons.meta`, and script-driven shakes through `ShakeGameplayCam`.

## Built-in shake names

| Shake | Feel |
| --- | --- |
| `HAND_SHAKE` | Subtle handheld sway |
| `DRUNK_SHAKE` | Slow, heavy wobble |
| `JOLT_SHAKE` | Short hit |
| `VIBRATE_SHAKE` | Fast vibration |
| `ROAD_VIBRATION_SHAKE` | Driving rumble |
| `SMALL_` / `MEDIUM_` / `LARGE_EXPLOSION_SHAKE` | Explosion impacts |
| `SKY_DIVING_SHAKE` | Free-fall buffeting |
| `FAMILY5_DRUG_TRIP_SHAKE` | Strong drug effect |
| `DEATH_FAIL_IN_EFFECT_SHAKE` | Death screen |

## Aim sway after sprinting

*client.lua — sway while aiming shortly after a sprint*

```lua
local lastSprint = 0
local shaking = false

CreateThread(function()
    while true do
        local sleep = 250
        local ped = PlayerPedId()
        if IsPedSprinting(ped) then lastSprint = GetGameTimer() end

        local tired = GetGameTimer() - lastSprint < 4000
        local aiming = IsPlayerFreeAiming(PlayerId())

        if aiming and tired and not shaking then
            ShakeGameplayCam('HAND_SHAKE', 0.6)
            shaking = true
        elseif (not aiming or not tired) and shaking then
            StopGameplayCamShaking(true)
            shaking = false
        end

        if aiming then sleep = 100 end
        Wait(sleep)
    end
end)
```

Start the shake once and stop it once — calling `ShakeGameplayCam` every frame restarts it and looks jittery.

## Injury and effect shakes

- Low health: `HAND_SHAKE` whose amplitude rises as health falls (`SetGameplayCamShakeAmplitude`).
- Drunk or drugged: `DRUNK_SHAKE` with the matching timecycle modifier.
- Nearby explosion: a short `SMALL_EXPLOSION_SHAKE` scaled by distance.

## Firing shake in weapons.meta

| Field | Controls |
| --- | --- |
| `RecoilShakeHash` | The camera shake played when firing in third person |
| `RecoilShakeHashFirstPerson` | The shake used in first person |
| `RecoilShakeAmplitude` | Strength of that shake |
| `MinTimeBetweenRecoilShakes` | Minimum gap between shakes (ms) |

Lowering `RecoilShakeAmplitude` gives a steadier view without changing where bullets go. Real recoil (the camera kick) is a script or pattern — see [the recoil script guide](https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-recoil-script) — and spread is `AccuracySpread`. Field details are in [weapons.meta explained](https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-weapons-meta-explained).

## Removing shake

`StopGameplayCamShaking(true)` stops script shakes immediately. For firing shake, edit the weapon meta or stream a meta override. Offer players a calmer option if your server is shake-heavy — accessibility keeps people around.

## Questions

### How do I add camera shake in FiveM?

Call `ShakeGameplayCam('HAND_SHAKE', 0.5)` (or another shake name) and stop it with `StopGameplayCamShaking(true)`.

### How do I change the strength of a running shake?

Use `SetGameplayCamShakeAmplitude(value)` while it runs.

### Where does weapon firing shake come from?

From `weapons.meta`: `RecoilShakeHash`, `RecoilShakeHashFirstPerson` and `RecoilShakeAmplitude`.

### Is camera shake the same as recoil?

No. Shake wobbles the view; recoil moves the aim upward. They are configured separately.

## Related

- https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-recoil-script
- https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-weapons-meta-explained
- https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-first-person-aiming
- https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-crosshair-reticle