In CS2, a skin’s float value is a number between 0 and 1 that determines how worn it looks, and it’s one of the biggest factors in its price. Lower floats mean cleaner-looking skins and higher prices, so a Factory New version of a skin can cost several times more than the same design in Field-Tested or Battle-Scarred condition. Within each wear level, skins with unusually low floats often sell at an extra premium.
Float isn’t the only thing that matters, though. Pattern, stickers, rarity, StatTrak counters and how the wear actually looks on a particular design all shape the final value. Understanding how these pieces fit together helps you avoid overpaying and spot skins that look better than their price suggests.
What a Float Value Actually Is
Every skin in CS2 has a float value assigned when it’s created, usually shown to several decimal places, for example 0.0347 or 0.2715. This number controls how much scratching, fading and paint loss appear on the weapon. A float close to 0 looks almost pristine, while a float close to 1 shows heavy wear.
The float never changes. Using a weapon in matches doesn’t wear it down over time, so the condition you buy is the condition you keep. That permanence is why float is treated as a fixed attribute when skins are valued and traded.
Some skins don’t use the full 0 to 1 range. Designers set minimum and maximum floats for each finish, so certain skins can’t exist in Factory New, while others only appear in the cleaner wear levels. These limits make some wear levels rare by design and can have a big effect on price.
The Five Wear Levels and Their Float Ranges
Floats are grouped into five exterior categories. Factory New covers 0.00 to 0.07, Minimal Wear runs from 0.07 to 0.15, Field-Tested from 0.15 to 0.38, Well-Worn from 0.38 to 0.45 and Battle-Scarred from 0.45 to 1.00. The name shown on the market listing comes from these ranges.
Field-Tested usually has the widest supply, because its range is large and many skins fall within it. That often makes Field-Tested the most liquid wear level, meaning it’s easiest to buy and sell quickly. Factory New tends to be the scarcest and most expensive, especially on popular designs.
Price gaps between wear levels vary a lot from skin to skin. On some finishes, the difference between Minimal Wear and Factory New is small, because the design shows little visible wear anyway. On others, especially bright or detailed finishes where scratches are obvious, Factory New can command a very large premium.
Why Low Floats Sell for More Than the Tier Price
Two skins can share the same wear label and still sell for very different prices. A Factory New skin with a float of 0.001 is rarer and cleaner than one at 0.069, and collectors often pay well above the standard Factory New price for extremely low floats. Floats starting with 0.00 are particularly sought after on popular items, and the lowest known floats of a skin can become collector’s pieces in their own right.
The opposite effect creates value opportunities. A skin sitting just above a tier boundary, such as a Minimal Wear at 0.0701, can look nearly identical to a Factory New copy while costing noticeably less. The same applies to Field-Tested skins just above 0.15. Many experienced players look for these near-boundary floats because they get most of the visual quality for a lower price.
This is why checking the exact float matters before buying. Market listings, inspect links and dedicated skin platforms often let you filter or sort by float, which makes it easier to compare several copies of the same skin side by side instead of relying only on the wear label. Looking at a few inspect screenshots from different angles also shows where the wear appears and how noticeable it is in-game.
When Higher Wear Can Still Hold Value
Higher float doesn’t always mean lower desirability. On some designs, wear adds character, and certain Battle-Scarred or Well-Worn skins look more interesting than their clean versions. Players who like a used, gritty look sometimes prefer them, and on a few finishes, specific worn appearances have built their own following.
Wear also appears differently depending on the weapon and the design. Scratches often concentrate on edges, grips or particular areas of the model. On some skins, even a relatively high float leaves the most visible parts from the player’s viewpoint almost untouched, which can make a cheaper copy a very good buy.
Budget matters too. For players who simply want a design they like on their favorite weapon, Field-Tested or Well-Worn copies can deliver most of the enjoyment for a fraction of the price. The key is to look at the actual skin rather than assuming a higher float automatically looks bad.
Other Factors That Combine With Float to Set Price
Pattern is the next big factor. Each skin also has a pattern index, a number that determines how the design is positioned on the weapon. For most skins, the difference is minor, but for some finishes, specific patterns are highly prized. Fade skins are valued by how much of the gradient is visible, Case Hardened finishes are prized for large areas of blue, and Doppler knives are divided into phases with different colors. On these items, pattern can outweigh float completely.
StatTrak versions, which count kills made with the weapon, usually cost more than standard versions of the same skin. Souvenir skins, linked to major tournaments, carry their own premium, especially with sought-after tournament stickers. Stickers applied to any skin can also affect value, although scraped or common stickers often add little, while rare, well-positioned ones can add a significant amount.
Finally, general demand shapes everything. Skins on popular weapons such as the AK-47, AWP and M4 variants, as well as knives and gloves, tend to hold value better than those on rarely used weapons. Game updates, new releases and changes in what players consider stylish can all shift prices over time.
Before buying any skin, look at its exact float, pattern and stickers together, then compare several listings of the same item. Paying attention to near-boundary floats and how the wear actually looks in-game will often get you a better-looking skin for less, and it helps you understand whether a premium price reflects genuine rarity or just a label.
