What Is Float Value?
Float value, also known as “float” or “wear value,” is a numerical value between 0.0 and 1.0 that determines how worn or pristine a CS2 skin appears. The lower the float value, the better the skin’s condition. This system creates natural variation in skin appearance, making each item unique even within the same skin design.
When Valve generates a new skin, the game assigns it a random float value within the skin’s predetermined range. This float value never changes throughout the skin’s lifetime, making it a permanent characteristic that affects both appearance and market value.
The Five Wear Categories in CS2
All CS2 skins with float values are classified into five distinct wear categories based on their float ranges:
Factory New (FN): 0.00 – 0.07 These are the most pristine skins with minimal to no visible wear. Factory New skins often command premium prices due to their clean appearance and rarity.
Minimal Wear (MW): 0.07 – 0.15 Minimal Wear skins show slight signs of use but maintain most of their original appearance. They offer a good balance between condition and price.
Field-Tested (FT): 0.15 – 0.38 Field-Tested represents moderate wear with noticeable but not excessive damage. These skins are often the most common and affordable option.
Well-Worn (WW): 0.38 – 0.45 Well-Worn skins display significant wear patterns, scratches, and fading. They’re typically less desirable but can be budget-friendly alternatives.
Battle-Scarred (BS): 0.45 – 1.00 Battle-Scarred skins show extreme wear with heavy scratching, fading, and damage. While generally the least valuable, some collectors seek specific Battle-Scarred patterns.
Float Distribution and Bell Curve Generation
When CS2 generates new skins, it doesn’t distribute float values evenly across the possible range. Instead, the system uses a bell curve distribution that heavily favors middle-range floats while making extremely low and high floats much rarer.
This distribution pattern means:
- Most skins fall in the Field-Tested range (0.15-0.38)
- Fewer skins appear in Minimal Wear and Well-Worn ranges
- Very few skins achieve Factory New or Battle-Scarred conditions
The bell curve distribution explains why exceptionally low float skins (like 0.001 Factory New) or extremely high float Battle-Scarred skins (0.98+) are so rare and valuable. Each skin family has its own possible float range, so not every skin can achieve every wear category.
Skins Without Float Values
Not all CS2 items have float values. Several categories of skins don’t use the float system:
Knives and Gloves: All glove skins and some Knife skins don’t have the usual float value range, instead they are often limited to some ranges. For example: all gloves have a float ranging from 0.06 to 0.80 and Doppler knives have a float ranging from 0.00 to 0.08.
Stickers: Weapon stickers don’t have float values as they don’t show wear over time.
Patches and Graffiti: Agent patches and graffiti sprays are exempt from the float system.
Cases, packages and Capsules: They never have float values, but the weapon skins you get from them – do.
Low Float vs High Float Skins: Understanding the Difference
The difference between low float and high float skins goes beyond mere aesthetics:
Low Float Skins (0.00-0.15)
- Cleaner, more vibrant appearance
- Higher market demand and prices
- Better for showcasing skin artwork
- Preferred by collectors and competitive players
High Float Skins (0.98-1.00)
- More weathered, battle-worn appearance
- Generally lower market prices
- Unique character and “story”
- Some collectors specifically seek high-float patterns
- Some skins reveal a new design when it is so worn – making it a lot more valuable, like AWP Asiimov.
The preference between low and high float often comes down to personal taste, budget, and intended use. Some players prefer the pristine look of low float skins, others appreciate the character that high float wear brings and some – prefer the middleground between price and looks – therefore they choose Field Tested skins.
Overpay Phenomenon for Extremely Low Float Skins
In the CS2 skin market, collectors often pay significant premiums for exceptionally low float values. This “overpay” phenomenon occurs because:
Extreme Rarity: Skins with floats below 0.001 are incredibly rare due to the bell curve distribution system.
Collector Appeal: Many traders specifically hunt for the lowest possible floats, creating artificial scarcity and driving up demand.
Bragging Rights: Owning a #1 lowest float skin of a particular design carries prestige in the community.
Investment Potential: Ultra-low float skins often appreciate in value over time due to their unchanging rarity.
This overpay can range from 10% above market price for moderately low floats to 300%+ for record-breaking low float specimens. When trading valuable CS2 skins on specialized CS2 skin marketplaces, understanding float premiums becomes crucial for making profitable decisions.
Skins That Transform at Extreme Float Values
Some CS2 skins undergo dramatic visual changes at very low or very high float values, creating unique appearances that differ significantly from their mid-range counterparts:
AWP Asiimov: This skin becomes almost entirely black on the scope at very low floats, creating a coveted “blackout” appearance.
M4A1-S Nightmare: At high floats, these skins can develop interesting color changes, looking more and more red and ‘bloody’ as the float is higher.
Rust Coat: Battle-Scarred Rust Coat skins at maximum float can appear almost completely rusted, creating a unique aesthetic, while Well-Worn Rust Coat skins will be more metallic.
These transformations make extreme float skins particularly valuable to collectors who appreciate their unique appearances that can’t be replicated in mid-range floats.
Where to Check Float Values and Skin Databases
Several tools and websites help traders research float values and skin information:
CSFloat: The most comprehensive database for checking float values, market prices, and skin histories. CSFloat provides detailed float information and market analytics for serious traders.
Steam Inventory Helper: Browser extensions that show float values directly in Steam inventories and market listings.
Third-Party Marketplaces: Many specialized trading platforms display float values alongside their listings.
Buff.163: Third party marketplace accessible only to Chinese players, however it is considered a staple when it comes to determining how much overpay a low float skin is worth, as this platform has very high volumes for trades happening, making it easy to find price examples.
Using these resources helps traders make informed decisions about skin purchases, trades, and sales based on accurate float data.
Float Impact on Market Pricing
Float value significantly influences CS2 skin pricing across all market segments:
Factory New Premium: Low float Factory New skins command 20-50% higher prices than high float Factory New items.
Cross-Category Pricing: Usually a perfect Minimal Wear skin (0.071 float) costs a lot more than a poor Minimal Wear skin (0.132 float) due to appearance differences.
Pattern Interactions: Float values interact with CS2 skin patterns indices on skins like Case Hardened, creating complex pricing dynamics.
Market Efficiency: Understanding float pricing helps identify undervalued skins and trading opportunities.
Float Value Trading Strategies
Successful CS2 skin trading often involves float value considerations:
Buy High Float, Sell Low Float: Purchase worn skins and trade up for better condition items when market conditions favor it.
Niche Collecting: Specialize in extremely high or low float collections where competition is limited.
Float Arbitrage: Identify pricing discrepancies between platforms and capitalize on float value differences.
Long-term Holding: Extremely rare float skins often appreciate over time due to their fixed supply.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Can float values change over time or with use?
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What's considered a "good" float value?
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Why do some Factory New skins look worse than others?
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Can you see exact float values in-game?
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Do float values affect weapon performance?
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What's the difference between float and pattern?
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Are lower float skins always more expensive?
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How rare are 0.00x float skins?
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Can you trade up to get better float values?
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What's the lowest possible float value?
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Do stickers affect float values?
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Why do some skins not exist in certain wear categories?
Understanding float values is essential for successful CS2 skin trading and collecting. Use this knowledge to make informed decisions and identify valuable opportunities in the marketplace.
