CS2 Pattern / Seed Database
Every CS2 skin has a paint seed from 0 to 999 that controls its pattern. For skins like Case Hardened, Fade, and Marble Fade, the right seed can mean the difference between a $10 skin and a $100,000 collectible. Explore the most valuable patterns and learn how seeds work.
What Are Paint Seeds?
In Counter-Strike 2, every skin is assigned a paint seed (also called a pattern index) — a number between 0 and 999. This number determines exactly how the skin's texture is mapped onto the 3D weapon model. Think of it as an offset that shifts the texture image around, deciding which part of the pattern artwork lands on which part of the gun or knife.
For most skins, the pattern difference between seeds is barely noticeable. A Redline AK-47 looks essentially the same regardless of seed. But for certain finishes — especially Case Hardened, Fade, Marble Fade, and Crimson Web — the seed dramatically changes the skin's appearance and, consequently, its market value.
How Seeds Work
The game takes the skin's texture image and uses the paint seed to determine an X/Y offset for how that texture wraps onto the weapon model. Different seeds shift the texture to different positions, resulting in different visible patterns. The same seed always produces the same pattern on the same weapon.
Why They Matter
For pattern-dependent skins, the visual difference between seeds directly translates to price. An AK-47 Case Hardened with seed 661 (Blue Gem) can be worth hundreds of times more than the same skin with a random seed, because the blue color placement is objectively more desirable to collectors.
Seed vs. Float
Paint seed and float value are independent properties. Float controls wear/condition (Factory New to Battle-Scarred), while seed controls pattern placement. A skin's value depends on both — a low-float Blue Gem is the ultimate collectible.
Which Skins Are Pattern-Dependent?
Only a handful of skin finishes produce meaningfully different patterns across seeds. Here are the finishes where your paint seed actually matters for value:
| Finish | Weapons | Why It Matters | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Hardened | AK-47, Five-SeveN, Knives | Blue/gold/purple color distribution varies dramatically. Blue Gems are the most valuable patterns in CS2. | Critical |
| Fade | All Fade Knives | Fade percentage (80-100%) determined by seed. Full fades with complete color spectrum are worth significantly more. | High |
| Marble Fade | Knives (Karambit, Bayonet, etc.) | Determines Fire & Ice, Fake Fire & Ice, or Tricolor patterns. True Fire & Ice is the rarest and most expensive. | High |
| Crimson Web | Knives (Karambit, M9 Bayonet, etc.) | Controls the placement of web patterns on the blade. Centered, large webs on the playside are most valuable. | Medium |
| Slaughter | Knives | Determines placement of diamond, heart, phoenix, and other shapes on the blade. Centered diamonds are most prized. | Medium |
| Gamma Doppler | Knives | Affects the exact distribution of green coloring. Emerald phase patterns and max green patterns are most sought after. | Medium |
How to Check Your Pattern Seed
Knowing your skin's paint seed is essential for understanding its true value. Here are the most reliable methods:
In-Game Inspection
Open your CS2 inventory, right-click the skin, and select "Inspect in Game." While this shows the visual pattern, it does not directly display the seed number. You'll need to copy the inspect link for external tools.
CSFloat / Float DB
Use CSFloat's inspect tool by pasting a Steam inspect link. It returns the exact paint seed, float value, and sticker details. CSFloat also maintains a searchable database of patterns.
Steam Market Inspect
When browsing the Steam Community Market, use browser extensions like CSFloat Market Checker to automatically display paint seeds and float values on every listing without manual inspection.
Third-Party Markets
Trading platforms like Buff163, Skinport, and CS.MONEY display paint seed information on their listings. This makes it easier to search for and purchase specific patterns directly.
Pattern Lookup
Enter a skin name and paint seed to look up pattern information. This tool will be expanded with CSFloat API integration in a future update.
Notable Patterns Gallery
These are some of the most sought-after and valuable pattern seeds in CS2. Patterns are grouped by weapon and finish.
AK-47 | Case Hardened
The most famous CS skin pattern. Nearly full blue top with minimal gold. Considered the holy grail of Case Hardened patterns and has sold for record-breaking prices.
Second most sought-after AK Case Hardened pattern. Features heavy blue coverage on the top with a distinctive reverse scar pattern. Extremely valuable in any condition.
A highly golden pattern with minimal blue, prized for its clean and consistent gold appearance across the entire body. Popular among collectors seeking a unique alternative to blue.
Strong blue top with clean coverage. Sits in the tier below 661 and 670 but still commands a large premium over market price.
Butterfly Knife | Fade
Maximum fade percentage with all three colors — yellow, pink, and purple — fully visible and vibrant. The purple tip is fully saturated and extends well down the blade.
Near-perfect fade with excellent purple visibility. Only slightly less saturated than a true full fade. Still commands a significant premium over average fades.
Good fade with visible purple but not fully saturated at the tip. A popular choice for players who want a strong fade without paying full-fade premiums.
Karambit | Case Hardened
The most iconic Karambit Case Hardened. Full blue playside that is instantly recognizable. One of the most expensive CS2 skins in existence, with FN versions reaching six figures.
Strong blue coverage on the playside with some gold mixed in. Still highly valuable but more accessible than seed 387.
Features a distinctive blue ring around the Karambit hole. While the blade may not be fully blue, the ring is a unique and desirable feature.
Karambit | Marble Fade
The most desirable Marble Fade pattern. Only red and blue colors visible with no yellow present on the playside. True Fire & Ice patterns command massive premiums.
Very close to a true Fire & Ice but with a tiny sliver of yellow visible near the blade spine. Significantly cheaper than true F&I but visually very similar.
Standard Marble Fade with all three colors — red, blue, and yellow — clearly visible. The baseline pattern that most Marble Fades display.
What Determines Pattern Value?
Color Distribution
For Case Hardened, more blue coverage equals higher value. For Marble Fade, the absence of yellow (Fire & Ice) is most desirable. The specific color placement on visible surfaces matters most.
Playside vs. Backside
On knives, the playside (visible when holding the knife normally) is far more important than the backside. A playside Blue Gem is worth many times more than a backside-only Blue Gem with the same blue percentage.
Fade Percentage
For Fade knives, the seed determines how much of the full color spectrum is visible. A 100% fade shows all colors including deep purple at the tip, while lower percentages show less color variety.
Web Placement
For Crimson Web knives, centered webs on the playside are most valuable. Multiple large, well-placed webs can multiply the skin's value compared to seeds with webs on edges or the backside only.
Rarity & Demand
Some seeds produce patterns that are objectively rare — very few seeds out of 1,000 create true Blue Gems or full fades. Limited supply combined with high collector demand drives prices to extreme levels.
Combined with Float
Pattern value multiplies with float value. A Blue Gem in Factory New is worth far more than the same seed in Battle-Scarred. The best combination of seed + float creates the ultimate high-value skin.
Pattern Trading Tips
- Always verify the seed number before purchasing a pattern-dependent skin. Use CSFloat or inspect links — do not rely on screenshots alone, as they can be misleading or faked.
- Learn the tier lists for each finish. Case Hardened patterns are well-documented with community tier rankings. Familiarize yourself with the top seeds for the specific weapon you are trading.
- Check both sides on knives. A knife listed as a "Blue Gem" might only have blue on the backside. Inspect carefully and confirm which side the desirable pattern is on.
- Compare against known references. Pattern database websites and community guides maintain curated lists of seed screenshots. Cross-reference before making expensive purchases.
- Factor in wear condition. The same Blue Gem seed in Factory New vs. Battle-Scarred can have a 10x or greater price difference. Consider your budget and whether you are buying to keep or to trade.
- Be patient when selling. Rare patterns take time to find the right buyer. Listing at the correct price and waiting will yield better results than panic-selling to quick-buy bots.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a paint seed in CS2?
- A paint seed (also called pattern index) is a number between 0 and 999 assigned to every skin when it drops or is unboxed. This seed determines exactly how the skin texture is mapped onto the weapon model, controlling the placement of colors and patterns. The seed is permanent and cannot be changed.
- How do I check my skin's paint seed?
- You can check your paint seed by inspecting the item in-game through your inventory and looking at the item details. For a more reliable method, use CSFloat's inspect link tool or the CSFloat Market extension, which displays the exact seed number along with float value and other details.
- What is a Blue Gem AK-47 Case Hardened?
- A Blue Gem refers to an AK-47 Case Hardened skin where the paint seed produces a pattern with a large amount of bright blue color on the top of the weapon. Seed 661 is considered the #1 pattern with the most blue coverage. Blue Gems are extremely valuable and can sell for thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars depending on wear condition.
- Why are some patterns worth more than others?
- Pattern value depends on visual appeal and rarity. For Case Hardened skins, more blue coverage means higher value. For Fade knives, a higher fade percentage (closer to 100%) is more desirable. Since each seed produces a fixed pattern and some patterns are objectively more attractive, supply and demand drive prices up for the best seeds.
- Do paint seeds affect all skins equally?
- No. Most skins have patterns that look nearly identical regardless of seed. Pattern seeds only significantly affect value for specific finishes like Case Hardened, Fade, Marble Fade, Crimson Web, and a few others where the texture mapping creates visually distinct variations between seeds.
- Can I get a specific pattern seed from a case opening?
- No, the pattern seed is randomly assigned when a skin drops or is unboxed. There is no way to influence or predict which seed you will receive. The only way to obtain a specific seed is to buy it on the Steam Community Market or a third-party trading platform from someone who already owns it.
- What is a full fade vs. a low fade?
- For Fade finish knives, the paint seed determines the fade percentage, which refers to how much of the color spectrum appears on the blade. A full fade (95-100%) shows all three colors (yellow, pink/red, and purple) prominently. A low fade (80-85%) may be missing the purple entirely. Higher fade percentages command significant price premiums.
- How many possible pattern seeds are there?
- There are exactly 1,000 possible paint seeds, numbered 0 through 999. Each seed produces a unique pattern placement for every skin finish. Since the same seed produces a different visual result on different weapon models, a seed that is valuable on an AK-47 Case Hardened may look completely different on a Five-SeveN Case Hardened.