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CS2 Inspect Guide
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CS2 Inspect Guide: Master Weapon Inspection & Skin Preview

October 5, 2025Updated January 20, 2026MattMatt

TL;DR

  • Default inspect key: Press F to inspect your equipped weapon
  • Custom bind: Use bind "MOUSE4" "+lookatweapon" in console
  • Inspect unowned skins: Use inspect servers like CS2Inspects.com with !gen commands
  • Inspect links: Copy from Steam market or inventory to preview skins before buying
  • Gloves inspection: Equip your knife first, then press inspect

What Is CS2 Inspect & Why It Matters

The CS2 inspect feature allows you to examine your currently equipped weapon’s model, animations, and skin details from multiple angles. While pressing F might seem like a simple flex move, mastering inspection provides real advantages for traders, collectors, and competitive players alike.

Why Inspect Matters

Use CaseBenefit
TradingVerify float value, pattern, and wear before purchasing
Skin verificationCheck sticker placement and scrape percentage
Competitive playMind games—inspect animations can bait enemy peeks
Content creationCapture clean skin footage for videos and thumbnails

Whether you’re checking the pattern on a Karambit or verifying sticker placement on an AK-47 craft, the inspect feature is essential for any serious CS2 player.

How to Inspect Weapons in CS2

Default Inspect Key

The default inspect key in CS2 is F. Press it once to trigger the inspection animation. This works for:

How to Change Your Inspect Keybind

Method 1: Settings Menu

  1. Open Settings → Keyboard/Mouse
  2. Scroll to Weapon Keys
  3. Find Inspect Weapon
  4. Click and press your preferred key

Method 2: Console Command

bind "MOUSE4" "+lookatweapon"

Popular keybind alternatives:

  • MOUSE4 / MOUSE5 — Side mouse buttons (keeps left hand free)
  • C or V — Easy thumb access
  • R (double-tap) — Some players bind inspect to reload key

Save Your Bind Permanently

Add your bind to your autoexec.cfg to preserve it across sessions:

// Custom inspect bind
bind "MOUSE4" "+lookatweapon"

Your config folder is located at:

  • Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\[SteamID]\730\local\cfg\
  • Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Steam/userdata/[SteamID]/730/local/cfg/

CS2 Inspect Links Explained

Inspect links are special Steam URLs that let you preview any skin in-game without owning it. They’re essential for:

  • Marketplace shopping — View exact float and pattern before buying
  • Trade verification — Confirm skin condition on trading sites
  • Price checking — Evaluate rare patterns like Case Hardened blue gems

How to Use Inspect Links

  1. Find the inspect link — Copy from Steam Market, third-party sites, or trading platforms
  2. Paste in browser — Steam will launch and load CS2
  3. View the skin — The item appears in your game for inspection

Generate Inspect Links for Your Skins

  1. Open your Steam inventory
  2. Right-click any skin
  3. Select Inspect in Game…
  4. Copy the URL from your browser

Pro Tip: Use websites like CS2Inspects.com to view skins with specific float values, patterns, and sticker combinations before purchasing.

Inspect Servers: Try Any Skin In-Game

Want to test skins you don’t own? CS2 community inspect servers let you spawn any weapon with any skin, float, and stickers.

How to Use Inspect Servers

  1. Connect to an inspect server (find IPs on CS2Inspects.com or browse community servers)
  2. Generate an inspect code on the website
  3. Type !gen [code] or !I [inspect_link] in chat
  4. The skin spawns in your hands

What You Can Do on Inspect Servers

  • Test knife and glove combinations
  • Preview sticker crafts before committing
  • View rare pattern skins (Doppler phases, blue gems, etc.)
  • Take screenshots with custom lighting

How to Inspect Gloves in CS2

Gloves don’t have their own inspect animation—they’re attached to your character model. Here’s how to view them:

  1. Equip your knife — Switch to melee weapon
  2. Press inspect key — Your character will flip the knife and show gloves
  3. Use “Inspect Weapon 2” — An alternate animation that shows gloves differently

Check out all available CS2 gloves to find your perfect pair:

Inspecting Weapons in Demos & Replays

CS2 demo playback lets you inspect any player’s weapon, perfect for content creators and analysts.

Steps to Inspect in Demos

  1. Open the demo using playdemo [filename] in console
  2. Switch to the desired player’s POV
  3. Press your inspect key (F by default)
  4. Use replay commands for camera control

Demo Inspection Tips

  • Enable cl_draw_only_deathnotices 1 for cleaner recordings
  • Use sv_cheats 1 then noclip for free camera movement
  • Combine with demo_timescale 0.25 for slow-motion skin showcases

Advanced Inspect Techniques

Animation Canceling

Interrupt the inspect animation mid-way for style points:

  • Quick switch: Press Q twice during inspect
  • Reload cancel: Start reload animation, then press inspect

Spin Tricks (Knives)

Certain knives have rare spin animations that trigger randomly:

Spam the inspect key to trigger rare animations more frequently—great for content creators showcasing expensive knives.

Competitive Mind Games

Some players use inspect animations strategically:

  • Bait enemies by inspecting around corners (the animation sound can draw attention)
  • Use inspects during timeout to flex skins and tilt opponents

Troubleshooting: Inspect Not Working

Common Fixes

IssueSolution
Inspect key doesn’t workCheck keybind in Settings → Keyboard/Mouse → Weapon Keys
Animation freezesVerify game files via Steam → Properties → Installed Files
Works in some servers onlyServer may have sv_allow_inspect disabled
Conflicts with other bindsCheck your autoexec for overlapping commands

Console Commands for Troubleshooting

// Reset inspect to default key
unbind F
bind "F" "+lookatweapon"

// Verify current binds
key_listboundkeys

If issues persist, reset your config by deleting files in your config folder and restarting CS2.

Inspect for Traders & Collectors

For serious skin traders, inspection is a critical verification step. Here’s how professionals use it:

Float Value Verification

The float value determines wear level:

  • Factory New: 0.00 – 0.07
  • Minimal Wear: 0.07 – 0.15
  • Field-Tested: 0.15 – 0.38
  • Well-Worn: 0.38 – 0.45
  • Battle-Scarred: 0.45 – 1.00

Float values affect skin appearance and price significantly. A 0.001 float AWP Dragon Lore can be worth thousands more than a 0.069 one.

Pattern Inspection

Certain skins have unique patterns worth premium prices:

StatTrak Verification

StatTrak weapons display kill counts during inspection. The counter is visible on the weapon model and updates in real-time.

FAQ

What is the default inspect key in CS2?

The default inspect key is F. Press it once to view your equipped weapon from multiple angles.

How do I change my inspect keybind?

Go to Settings → Keyboard/Mouse → Weapon Keys → Inspect Weapon. Click the current key and press your preferred alternative. Or use console: bind "MOUSE4" "+lookatweapon".

Can I inspect other players’ weapons?

No, you can only inspect your own weapons during live matches. However, in demos and replays, you can switch POV and inspect any player’s weapon.

Why is my inspect not working?

Common causes: keybind conflicts, corrupted game files, server restrictions. Try verifying game files via Steam and reset your keybinds. Check CS2 crashing fixes if the game is unstable.

How do I inspect gloves?

Switch to your knife first, then press inspect. Gloves only show during knife inspection because they’re part of your character model.

Can I use inspect links on mobile?

Yes, through mobile browsers or Steam Link. Copy the inspect link, open it on mobile, and Steam will try to launch the game. Third-party inspection websites work directly in mobile browsers.

Does inspecting affect FPS?

Minimal impact in most cases. Complex knife animations may cause slight drops. Lower shader quality if you notice performance issues during inspects.