CS2 Float Values Explained: Wear Tiers and Visual Thresholds
Every Counter‑Strike 2 skin carries a hidden decimal known as the float value. That number, ranging from 0.00 to 1.00, decides how much wear the texture shows in‑game and, consequently, how the market prices the item. Understanding the relationship between the raw float, the five official wear tiers, and the visual breakpoints where a skin’s appearance changes can give traders, collectors, and casual players a decisive edge.
How the Float Number Maps to Wear Tiers
The game splits the continuous float range into five discrete bands. Each band has a name that appears in the inventory UI and a corresponding float interval. The table below shows the exact boundaries used by the engine.
| Wear Tier | Float Range (inclusive‑exclusive) | Typical Visual Character |
|---|---|---|
| Factory New | 0.00 – 0.07 | Pristine, no visible scratches |
| Minimal Wear | 0.07 – 0.15 | Very faint wear, often only on edges |
| Field‑Tested | 0.15 – 0.38 | Noticeable scratches, color fading begins |
| Well‑Worn | 0.38 – 0.45 | Heavy wear, large patches of missing finish |
| Battle‑Scarred | 0.45 – 1.00 | Extreme wear, often barely recognizable |
Visual Thresholds: When Does a Skin Actually Change?
Wear tiers are convenient labels, but the human eye perceives change at specific float breakpoints that differ from skin to skin. Artists design each finish with a “wear map” that dictates where scratches appear first. For many popular finishes, the first visible blemish shows up well before the 0.07 Factory New ceiling.
Below is a concrete example using the AK‑47 | Redline, a finish whose wear map concentrates damage on the magazine and the front sight. The table lists the float values at which most observers notice a new level of wear.
| Perceived Condition | Float Approx. | What Appears |
|---|---|---|
| Pristine Factory New | ≤ 0.008 | No visible scratches anywhere |
| Early Factory New | 0.008 – 0.03 | Tiny speckles on the magazine |
| Late Factory New | 0.03 – 0.07 | Fine lines on the front sight |
| Minimal Wear onset | ≈ 0.07 | Scratches spread to the barrel |
Factory New
Minimal Wear
Field‑Tested
Well‑Worn
Battle‑Scarred
“Float is the single most objective metric we have, but the wear map is the artist’s fingerprint. Two skins with identical floats can look dramatically different if their maps place wear in distinct zones.” — Senior Skin Designer, Valve
Why Float Alone Doesn’t Dictate Market Price
Marketplaces price skins on a blend of float, rarity, pattern index, and community demand. A Factory New AK‑47 | Redline with a float of 0.01 can sell for several times more than a 0.06 counterpart, even though both share the same tier. Conversely, a Battle‑Scarred skin with a rare pattern (e.g., a low‑index “Case Hardened” blue gem) may outvalue a pristine common finish. Traders who only filter by tier miss these nuances.
Practical Strategies for Evaluating Float in Trades
When you inspect a potential trade, follow a quick checklist that goes beyond the tier label:
- Read the exact float from the inspect link (the “float” parameter in the URL).
- Compare that float to the visual thresholds for the specific finish (use community‑compiled charts or the in‑game inspect preview).
- Check the pattern index if the skin has pattern‑dependent features (Case Hardened, Doppler, Fade, etc.).
- Verify the item’s exterior quality on a reputable third‑party database to ensure the float hasn’t been spoofed.
- Factor in current market trends: a skin trending on streaming platforms can temporarily inflate prices regardless of float.
Applying this routine consistently reduces the chance of overpaying for a “Factory New” that looks more like Minimal Wear in‑game.
Common Misconceptions About Float and Wear
Many players assume that a lower float always equals a better look. In reality, some finishes are designed to look clean even at relatively high floats because the wear map concentrates damage on hidden surfaces. The M4A4 | Desolate Space, for example, retains a vibrant nebula pattern up to 0.25 float, while the AWP | Asiimov shows heavy scratching already at 0.12. Knowing the finish’s wear map is more predictive than the tier alone.
Another myth is that float can be “improved” by using the skin in matches. The float value is immutable once the item is generated; gameplay does not alter it. Only a trade‑up contract or a new drop can produce a different float.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the exact float range for Factory New?
- 0.00 – 0.07 (exclusive of 0.07).
- Can two skins have the same float but different appearances?
- Yes. The wear map determines where scratches appear, so identical floats can look distinct across finishes.
- Does a lower float guarantee a higher market price?
- Not always. Rarity, pattern index, and demand often outweigh a marginal float advantage.
- Is it possible to see the exact float in‑game without external tools?
- The inspect screen shows the float rounded to two decimals. For full precision, use the “inspect in‑game” link and read the URL parameter.
- Are there any legal concerns with buying skins for gambling?
- Many jurisdictions classify skin gambling as illegal gambling. Always check local laws and avoid unregulated sites.
Putting It All Together
Float values are the backbone of CS2 skin valuation, but they are only the starting point. By learning the official wear tiers, studying the visual thresholds for each finish, and cross‑referencing pattern
