CS2 Keys Guide
Everything you need to know about CS2 case keys - how they work, current pricing, which containers require keys, the history of key trading, and the economics of case opening. Understanding keys is essential before spending money on CS2 cases.
Table of Contents
What Are CS2 Keys?
CS2 keys (also known as case keys) are virtual items that unlock weapon cases in Counter-Strike 2. Think of them as the "ticket" required to open a case and receive a random weapon skin from that case's loot pool. Without the matching key, you cannot open a case - you can only hold it in your inventory or sell it on the Steam Community Market.
Each weapon case in CS2 has a corresponding key. For example, the "Kilowatt Case" requires the "Kilowatt Case Key," the "Revolution Case" requires the "Revolution Case Key," and so on. Keys are specific to their case - you cannot use one case's key to open a different case.
Current CS2 Key Price
Per key | Prices vary by region | Purchased via Steam only
Keys are purchased directly through Steam (either in-game or via the Steam Market) and are immediately added to your inventory. Since October 2019, keys have been non-tradeable and non-marketable, meaning once purchased, they're permanently bound to your account.
Key Characteristics
- Case-Specific: Each key only works with its matching case
- One-Time Use: Keys are consumed when opening a case
- Non-Tradeable: Cannot be traded, gifted, or sold since 2019
- Fixed Price: Valve sets the price; it doesn't fluctuate like cases
- Instant Purchase: Available immediately after purchase
Key Pricing & How to Buy
CS2 keys have a fixed price set by Valve. The base price is $2.49 USD, though this varies slightly by region due to Steam's regional pricing policies. Unlike cases and skins, key prices don't fluctuate based on supply and demand - they're always available at the set price.
How to Purchase CS2 Keys
- Launch CS2: Open Counter-Strike 2 from your Steam library.
- Open Inventory: Navigate to your inventory where your cases are stored.
- Select a Case: Click on the case you want to open.
- Click "Unlock": You'll be prompted to purchase the matching key.
- Complete Purchase: Steam will charge your wallet or payment method.
- Case Opens: The key is consumed and you receive a random item from the case.
Steam Wallet Recommended
Loading your Steam Wallet beforehand is recommended for quicker purchases. You can also purchase keys directly using credit cards, PayPal, or other payment methods Steam accepts in your region.
Regional Pricing
Due to Steam's regional pricing, key costs vary by country. Generally:
- United States: $2.49 USD
- European Union: ~€2.35 EUR
- United Kingdom: ~£2.09 GBP
- Brazil: ~R$7.99 BRL
- Russia: Regional pricing (varies)
Check your local Steam store for exact pricing in your currency. Regional pricing is designed to make purchases more accessible in different economic regions.
How Keys Work
Understanding the mechanics behind CS2 keys helps you make informed decisions about case opening. Here's what happens when you use a key to open a case.
The Opening Process
When you click "Unlock" on a case:
- Key Validation: The system verifies you have (or are purchasing) the correct key
- Random Number Generation: CS2's server generates a random outcome using Valve's provably fair system
- Item Determination: Based on the random seed, an item from the case's contents is selected according to official CS2 drop rates
- StatTrak Check: A 10% chance roll determines if the item is StatTrak
- Animation: The spinning wheel animation plays (purely cosmetic - outcome is already determined)
- Item Received: The skin is added to your inventory
Key-Case Matching
Each case requires its specific key. This table shows examples of key-case pairs:
| Case Name | Required Key | Drop Pool Status |
|---|---|---|
| Kilowatt Case | Kilowatt Case Key | Active |
| Revolution Case | Revolution Case Key | Active |
| Dreams & Nightmares Case | Dreams & Nightmares Case Key | Active |
| Recoil Case | Recoil Case Key | Active |
| Clutch Case | Clutch Case Key | Rare |
| Spectrum 2 Case | Spectrum 2 Case Key | Rare |
| CS:GO Weapon Case | CS:GO Case Key | Discontinued |
For a complete list of cases and their drop pool status, see our Active Drop Pool Tracker.
Container Types: Keys vs Keyless
Not all CS2 containers require keys. Understanding which containers need keys helps you budget your spending and consider alternatives.
Containers That Require Keys
Weapon Cases
All weapon cases require their matching key to open. This includes active cases, rare drop pool cases, and discontinued cases. Each opening costs Case Price + Key ($2.49).
Requires KeyContainers That Don't Require Keys
Sticker Capsules
All sticker capsules (regular, tournament, team, holo/foil) can be opened without keys. Just own the capsule and click "Open." Learn more in our Sticker Capsules Guide.
No Key NeededSouvenir Packages
Major tournament souvenir packages are keyless. Open them directly to receive souvenir skins with gold stickers. See our Souvenir Packages Guide.
No Key NeededGraffiti Boxes
Graffiti containers open without keys. These contain spray patterns for in-game use. Learn about them in our Graffiti Guide.
No Key NeededPatch Packs
Agent patch containers don't require keys. Open them to receive patches for your agents. More details in our Patches Guide.
No Key NeededCharm Containers
Weapon charm containers (keychains) are keyless. Purchase and open directly for random charms. See our Charms Guide.
No Key NeededWhy the Difference?
Keyless containers generally contain items of lower value than weapon cases. By removing the key requirement, Valve makes these containers more accessible while reserving the key system for the more valuable weapon skin ecosystem.
History of CS2/CSGO Keys
CS2 keys have a complex history, with significant changes over the years affecting how the community uses them. Understanding this history explains why keys work the way they do today.
Keys Introduced
The Arms Deal Update introduced weapon cases and keys to CS:GO. Keys were tradeable and quickly became a de facto currency in the trading community, valued at roughly $2.50.
Keys as Trading Currency
For six years, keys served as the primary currency for high-value trades. Players would quote skin prices in keys (e.g., "200 keys for this knife"). Keys were stable, liquid, and universally accepted.
Keys Made Non-Tradeable
Valve announced that all newly purchased keys would be non-tradeable, non-marketable, and bound to the purchasing account. This was done to combat "worldwide fraud networks" using keys for money laundering according to Valve's official announcement.
CS2 Launch
Counter-Strike 2 launched, carrying over the non-tradeable key system. All cases from CS:GO remained openable in CS2 with their original keys. The key price remained $2.49.
Current System
Keys remain non-tradeable. The trading community has shifted to using Arcana items from Dota 2 and direct skin-for-skin trades instead of key-based pricing.
Impact of Non-Tradeable Keys
The 2019 change fundamentally altered CS2's economy:
- Trading Shift: Keys are no longer used as currency; trades now use direct skin values
- Reduced Fraud: Money laundering through keys became impossible
- Higher Barrier: Opening cases requires committing real money that can't be recovered
- Market Impact: Case prices adjusted as the "key value" component changed
Key Trading Status
This is perhaps the most important thing to understand about CS2 keys: they cannot be traded, sold, or transferred.
What This Means for You
- No Resale: Can't change your mind and sell unused keys
- No Gifting: Can't buy keys as gifts for other players
- No Trading: Can't include keys in trades
- Account-Bound: Keys only exist on the account that purchased them
- No Investment: Keys have zero resale value
Legacy Tradeable Keys
Keys purchased before October 28, 2019 remain tradeable. However, these are extremely rare and typically held by collectors. If you see tradeable keys on third-party sites, exercise extreme caution - many are scams.
Key Alternatives for Trading
Since keys can no longer be used as trading currency, the community now uses:
- Direct skin-for-skin trades
- Cash via third-party marketplaces (with appropriate safety precautions)
- Dota 2 Arcana items (tradeable and relatively stable value)
- Steam Wallet balance via market listings
Key Economics & Case Opening Cost
Understanding the true cost of opening CS2 cases requires factoring in both the case and the key. Let's break down the economics.
Total Cost Per Case Opening
Case Cost
~$0.03-$50+Varies by case type
Key Cost
$2.49Fixed price
Total
$2.52+Minimum per opening
For most active drop pool cases (which cost $0.03-$0.20), the key represents over 90% of your case opening cost. This means:
- Opening 10 cases costs approximately $25-$30
- Opening 100 cases costs approximately $250-$300
- Opening 385 cases (average to get a knife) costs approximately $960+
Expected Value Analysis
Every CS2 case has negative expected value. Use our Case ROI Calculator to see exact numbers, but generally:
- Average Return: Most cases return 30-50% of opening cost
- Expected Loss: $1.25-$1.75 per case opening on average
- Best Case Scenario: Expensive knife/glove drops (extremely rare)
- Worst Case: Mil-Spec skins worth $0.03-$0.10 (most common)
For detailed probability breakdowns, see our Case Odds Explained guide. The odds of getting rare items like knives are approximately 0.26%, or about 1 in 385 cases.
Our Expert Take
"Keys represent a fixed, non-recoverable cost. Unlike cases (which can be resold), once you buy a key, that money is gone whether you use it or not. This makes case opening a pure entertainment expense. Budget for keys the same way you'd budget for a movie ticket - money spent for enjoyment, not investment."
Comparing to Direct Purchase
For specific skins, direct purchase from the Steam Market is almost always cheaper than trying to get them through case opening. Use our Case vs Buy Calculator to compare expected costs.
Key Scams to Avoid
Because keys are non-tradeable, several scams exploit players who don't understand this. Protect yourself by recognizing these common schemes.
Common Key Scams
| Scam Type | How It Works | Red Flags |
|---|---|---|
| "Discounted Keys" | Websites claim to sell CS2 keys below Steam price | Keys can ONLY be purchased through Steam - no exceptions |
| "Tradeable Keys" | Scammers offer "rare tradeable keys" from before 2019 | Real pre-2019 keys are extremely rare; most offers are scams |
| "Key Gifting" | Someone offers to "gift" you keys if you pay first | Keys cannot be gifted - this is impossible |
| "Key API" | Fake services claim to generate or transfer keys | No third-party service can create or move CS2 keys |
| Overpay for Keys | Trader offers to "overpay" if you buy keys to trade | Keys aren't tradeable; they want you to waste money |
Protecting Yourself
- Only Buy Through Steam: Never purchase keys from third-party websites
- Ignore Key Offers: Anyone offering to trade/sell keys is scamming
- Verify Information: Check official Valve announcements for key status
- Report Scammers: Report suspicious accounts to Steam Support
For more security advice, see our comprehensive Account Security Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are CS2 keys?
CS2 keys are virtual items required to open weapon cases in Counter-Strike 2. Each case requires a specific key to unlock, revealing a random weapon skin from that case's contents. Keys are purchased through Steam for approximately $2.49 USD each.
How much do CS2 keys cost?
CS2 keys cost approximately $2.49 USD when purchased through Steam. Prices vary slightly by region due to Steam's regional pricing. Keys cannot be obtained for free and must be purchased to open cases.
Can I trade CS2 keys?
No, CS2 keys are non-tradable and non-marketable since October 2019. Valve made keys untradeable to combat money laundering. Keys purchased must be used on the same account - they cannot be transferred to other players.
Do all CS2 containers need keys?
No, not all containers require keys. Weapon cases require keys, but sticker capsules, graffiti boxes, souvenir packages, patch packs, and charm containers can be opened without keys. These keyless containers only cost the item itself to open.
Are CS2 keys a good investment?
No, CS2 keys are not an investment. Since 2019, keys are non-tradable, meaning you cannot resell them. Their only use is opening cases, which statistically has negative expected value. Keys purchased are permanently locked to your account.
Can I use any key to open any case?
No, each CS2 case requires its specific matching key. For example, you need a "Kilowatt Case Key" to open a Kilowatt Case. Keys are not interchangeable between different cases.
Why did Valve make keys non-tradeable?
Valve made keys non-tradeable in October 2019 to combat fraud. According to their official announcement, keys were being used by "worldwide fraud networks" for money laundering. Making keys account-bound eliminated this abuse vector.
Can I get a refund on CS2 keys?
No, CS2 key purchases are non-refundable. Once purchased, keys are immediately available in your inventory. Steam's standard refund policy does not apply to in-game currency or consumable items like keys.
Where can I buy CS2 keys?
CS2 keys can ONLY be purchased through Steam - either in-game when opening a case, or through the Steam store. There are no legitimate third-party sources for CS2 keys. Any website claiming to sell keys is a scam.
Do keys ever go on sale?
No, Valve does not discount CS2 keys. The $2.49 price is fixed and has remained consistent for years. Unlike games, keys are never included in Steam sales or special promotions.
What happened to my old tradeable keys?
Keys purchased before October 28, 2019 remain tradeable. However, these legacy keys are now rare collectibles. If you have pre-2019 keys, they retain their trade/market functionality.
Should I open cases or buy skins directly?
For specific skins you want, buying directly is almost always cheaper. Case opening is entertainment with negative expected value. Use our Case vs Buy Calculator to compare costs for any skin you're targeting.
Last updated: January 2026