CS2 Float Explained: Wear Ratings, Ranges & Value

If you’ve ever wondered why two identical CS2 skins look different — or why one costs way more than the other — the answer is float value.

CS2 float plays a huge role in skin appearance, wear level, and market price. Whether you’re opening cases, trading, or just flexing clean skins in matches, understanding float gives you a serious edge.

This guide breaks down CS2 float, wear ratings, exact float ranges, and how to use this info to avoid overpaying for skins.

What Is CS2 Float?

CS2 float (also called float value) is a number between 0.00 and 1.00 that determines how worn a skin looks.

• Lower float = cleaner skin
• Higher float = more scratches and wear

Even two skins with the same wear label (like Field-Tested) can look very different depending on their float.

Example:

• AK-47 | Redline (0.16 float) → looks clean
• AK-47 | Redline (0.37 float) → looks heavily worn

Same skin. Very different value.

CS2 Wear Ratings Explained

CS2 uses five official wear ratings, but each one contains a range of float values.

CS2 Wear Ratings Table

Wear Rating	Float Range
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

This is why checking the exact float matters more than just reading the wear label.

Minimal Wear Float Range (Explained)

The minimal wear float range runs from:

0.07 → 0.15

Important detail:

• A 0.071 MW skin can look almost Factory New
• A 0.149 MW skin may already show scratches

This is why low-float Minimal Wear skins often sell close to Factory New prices.

Field-Tested Float Range (Explained)

The field tested float range is the widest and most misunderstood:

0.15 → 0.38

That’s a massive difference visually.

Field-Tested Float Examples

• 0.16–0.20 → looks clean, very popular
• 0.30+ → clearly worn
• 0.37–0.38 → almost Well-Worn

Smart traders always check float before buying Field-Tested skins.

Why CS2 Float Matters So Much

1. Skin Appearance

Lower float = fewer scratches, less fading, better shine.

2. Market Value

Two identical skins can have huge price gaps based purely on float.

3. Trade-Ups

Trade-up contracts are heavily influenced by float math.

4. Rare Floats

• Ultra-low floats (0.000x)
• Ultra-high floats (0.99+)

These can be worth way more than normal versions.

If you’re curious about extreme cases, check out most expensive CS2 skins to see how float impacts value at the top end.

How to Check Float in CS2

Steam doesn’t show float by default, but you still have options.

Common Ways Players Check Float

• Inspect links
• Trading tools
• Market listings with float display

If you want to inspect skins more deeply, our complete CS2 inspect guide explains how players analyze wear, patterns, and finish details before buying.

Float vs Wear Rating: What Matters More?

Short answer: Float matters more.

Wear rating is just a category.
Float is the exact condition.

Example:

• Factory New (0.069) → worse than
• Minimal Wear (0.071)

That tiny difference can affect price, especially for knives and gloves.

CS2 Float and Case Openings

When you open a case, float is completely random within the skin’s allowed range.

That’s why:

• One case pull looks amazing
• Another looks scuffed

If you’re chasing clean skins, knowing which cases are worth opening helps a lot. Start with:

• Knife cases in CS2
• CS2 cases with Butterfly Knife

These cases are popular specifically because low-float pulls can be insanely valuable.

Do Floats Affect Gameplay?

No — float does not affect damage, recoil, or hitboxes.

It’s 100% cosmetic.

But let’s be real:
clean skins = more confidence

If you want to enjoy your skins while practicing, CS2 custom maps are perfect for testing visuals and screenshots.

Common CS2 Float Myths (Debunked)

“Factory New always looks perfect”

Not true. High-end Factory New floats can still have visible wear.

“Float changes over time”

False. Float is permanent.

“Field-Tested skins are bad”

Wrong. Low-float Field-Tested skins are some of the best value buys.

Tips to Avoid Overpaying for CS2 Skins

• Always check exact float, not just wear rating
• Compare multiple listings of the same skin
• Be cautious with high-float Field-Tested
• Learn which skins hide wear better

If you’re getting into trading, pairing float knowledge with safe practices is key. Our guide on avoiding common Steam scams is worth a read before doing big trades.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a good float in CS2?

Anything closer to 0.00 is considered good.

Is 0.15 float still Minimal Wear?

Yes, but it’s the highest possible Minimal Wear float.

Can two skins with same float look different?

Yes. Some finishes hide wear better than others.

Does float affect trade-up outcomes?

Yes. Trade-ups use float averages to calculate results.

Final Thoughts

Understanding CS2 float is one of the most important skills for skin buyers, traders, and collectors. Once you stop relying only on wear labels and start checking float values, you’ll instantly make smarter decisions — and save money.

Whether you’re opening cases, trading skins, or just want the cleanest loadout possible, float knowledge puts you ahead of most players.