CS2 Wear Preview Simulator
Visualize how float values affect CS2 skin appearance before you buy. See the difference between Factory New and Battle-Scarred, understand wear patterns on different finish types, and make informed purchasing decisions based on visual condition.
Wear Visualization Tool
Select a finish type and adjust the float value to see how wear affects appearance
Understanding This Preview
This simulator shows a conceptual representation of how wear affects skin appearance. Actual in-game wear patterns vary by skin and are determined by Valve's paint seed system. Use this to understand the general relationship between float and visible wear, then always inspect actual skins before purchasing.
CS2 Wear Condition Reference
| Condition | Abbreviation | Float Range | Typical Appearance | Value Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Factory New | FN | 0.00 - 0.07 | Pristine, minimal to no visible scratches | +20-50% premium |
| Minimal Wear | MW | 0.07 - 0.15 | Very light scratches, barely noticeable | Base price |
| Field-Tested | FT | 0.15 - 0.38 | Moderate scratches, some paint wear visible | -10-30% discount |
| Well-Worn | WW | 0.38 - 0.45 | Significant wear, noticeable scratches | -30-50% discount |
| Battle-Scarred | BS | 0.45 - 1.00 | Heavy wear, extensive scratches and paint loss | -40-70% discount |
How Wear Affects Different Finish Types
Not all CS2 skins show wear the same way. The finish type determines where scratches appear and how noticeable they are. Understanding this helps you make smarter purchasing decisions.
Anodized Finishes
Solid metallic colors (Hot Rod, Emerald). Wear appears as surface scratches revealing the base metal beneath. Factory New variants look almost identical to low Minimal Wear, making FN less critical for anodized skins.
Spray Paint Finishes
Painted designs (Asiimov, Redline). Wear shows as paint chipping, especially on edges, barrel tips, and magazine. Higher wear significantly impacts appearance. FN is noticeably cleaner than MW.
Hydrographic Finishes
Water transfer prints (Water Elemental). Wear removes the hydrographic layer revealing metal or base material underneath. Pattern can look significantly different at high wear.
Patina Finishes
Oxidized/aged appearance (Case Hardened). Wear can actually shift color distribution. Some Battle-Scarred patina skins have unique color patterns valued by collectors.
Custom Paint Job
Hand-painted artwork (Dragon Lore, Medusa). Wear removes detailed artwork, most impactful visually. FN versions of custom paint jobs command significant premiums.
Gunsmith Finishes
Modern designs (Printstream). Clean geometric patterns that degrade with wear. Mid-range floats often acceptable as patterns remain recognizable.
According to Valve's official weapon finish documentation, each finish type has specific wear parameters that control how the texture degrades. The paint seed system then determines exactly where scratches appear, creating unique wear patterns for each individual skin.
Understanding Float Values in CS2
Float value (also called wear value or float) is a decimal number between 0.00 and 1.00 that precisely determines your skin's wear condition. Unlike the broad wear categories (FN, MW, etc.), float gives you exact information about where your skin falls within its condition tier.
Why Float Matters
Two "Field-Tested" skins can look drastically different. A 0.15 FT skin (just barely above MW threshold) will appear much cleaner than a 0.37 FT skin (almost Well-Worn). Knowledgeable traders pay attention to exact float values, not just wear categories.
Float Value Sweet Spots
Many experienced traders look for "float-capped" skins - those at the clean end of their wear tier. A 0.15-0.16 FT skin costs less than MW but often looks nearly as good. Similarly, 0.07 MW can appear almost FN at a fraction of the price. For detailed analysis of your skin's float, use our Float Checker tool.
How Float is Determined
When a skin drops from a case or trade-up, the game generates a random float value within that skin's allowed range. Most skins can spawn across the full 0.00-1.00 range, but some are restricted. For example:
- Dragon Lore: 0.00 - 0.70 (cannot be Battle-Scarred)
- Asiimov: 0.18 - 1.00 (cannot be FN or MW)
- Howl: 0.00 - 0.40 (cannot be WW or BS)
These restrictions are defined in Valve's item schema. The Steam Community Market displays float values when inspecting items, and third-party tools like CSGOFloat provide additional inspection capabilities.
Float Distribution Statistics
Float values from cases follow a normal-ish distribution, meaning extreme values (very low or very high) are rarer than middle values. According to community research compiled on CSGOStash:
- ~5% of drops are Factory New (0.00-0.07)
- ~10% are Minimal Wear (0.07-0.15)
- ~40% are Field-Tested (0.15-0.38)
- ~15% are Well-Worn (0.38-0.45)
- ~30% are Battle-Scarred (0.45-1.00)
How Wear Affects Skin Value
Wear condition is one of the primary factors determining skin price. The relationship between float and value isn't always linear - it depends on the skin type, desirability, and market dynamics.
General Pricing Patterns
For most popular skins:
- Factory New commands 20-100%+ premium over MW
- Minimal Wear typically serves as the "base" price
- Field-Tested sells at 10-40% discount vs MW
- Well-Worn offers 30-50% discount but is less common
- Battle-Scarred is cheapest, 40-70% below MW
When Low Float Doesn't Mean High Value
Some collectors specifically seek high-wear skins for their unique appearance. Battle-Scarred Case Hardened knives with specific blue patterns, or "blackiimov" AWP Asiimovs (0.95+ float showing more black) can command premiums over cleaner versions. Always research the specific skin before assuming FN is most valuable.
Inspecting Before Buying
Never rely solely on wear category when buying expensive skins. Always:
- Check the exact float value
- Inspect in-game to see actual wear placement
- Compare to similar listings at different floats
- Consider using our Skin Inspection Guide for detailed evaluation tips
Related Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this an exact preview of how skins look in-game?
No. This simulator provides a conceptual representation of how wear affects appearance. Actual in-game wear patterns are determined by paint seeds and vary per individual skin. Always inspect actual skins in-game or via third-party tools before purchasing.
Why do some skins only exist in certain wear conditions?
Valve restricts float ranges for certain skins as a design choice. For example, the AWP Asiimov was designed to always show wear (min float 0.18), while the AWP Dragon Lore cannot be Battle-Scarred (max float 0.70). These restrictions are set in Valve's item definition files.
What's the difference between float value and wear condition?
Wear condition (FN, MW, FT, WW, BS) is a broad category, while float value is the precise decimal (e.g., 0.1534). Two Field-Tested skins can have vastly different appearances if one is 0.16 and another is 0.37. Float gives you the exact detail within a wear tier.
Does lower float always mean higher value?
Usually, but not always. Most skins are most valuable at Factory New. However, some collectors pay premiums for specific high-wear appearances like "blackiimov" AWP Asiimovs or Battle-Scarred Case Hardened with unique patterns. Research the specific skin before buying.
How can I check a skin's exact float value?
Use the in-game inspect feature, check the Steam Community Market listing details, or use third-party tools like CSGOFloat. Our Float Checker can help you understand what any float value means in context.
Why do some Battle-Scarred skins cost more than Well-Worn?
Rarity and aesthetics. Well-Worn is the smallest wear tier (0.38-0.45), making WW skins less common. Additionally, some collectors prefer the extreme worn look of BS skins, especially for certain finishes where high wear creates unique visual effects.
Last updated: January 2026