Float and Wear: What Affects the Price
What float value means
Float is a number between 0 and 1 stored on each skin. A lower float means less visible wear, a higher float means more scratches and fading. The game maps the float onto one of five named wear conditions, but within each band the exact number still affects how the skin looks.
The five wear conditions
Skins fall into five bands based on float:
- Factory New (FN): 0.00 to 0.07, the cleanest look.
- Minimal Wear (MW): 0.07 to 0.15.
- Field-Tested (FT): 0.15 to 0.38, the most common range.
- Well-Worn (WW): 0.38 to 0.45.
- Battle-Scarred (BS): 0.45 to 1.00, the most worn.
How float affects look and price
Cleaner conditions usually cost more, but the relationship is not linear. Some skins barely change in appearance across bands, so a Field-Tested copy can look almost new and offer great value. Others show heavy fading quickly, making Factory New worth a large premium. Extreme floats, such as a very low Factory New or the lowest possible number, can command collector premiums.
Using the inspect link
Before buying, use the inspect link to view the exact skin in 3D, including its float, pattern, and any stickers. This lets you confirm you are getting the specific copy shown rather than a generic image. Many marketplaces display the float directly next to the listing.
Choosing the right condition
Decide what you value: pure appearance, lowest price, or resale potential. For skins that fade gracefully, a mid-range float can be the smart buy. For skins where wear is obvious, pay for the cleaner band only if the look matters to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good float for a Factory New skin?
Any float under 0.07 is Factory New, but collectors prize very low numbers such as under 0.01. For most players, a standard Factory New float is perfectly fine.
Does float change over time as I play?
No. Float is fixed when the skin is created and never changes, regardless of how much you use it in-game.
Why do two Field-Tested skins look different?
Because float varies within the band. A 0.16 Field-Tested looks much cleaner than a 0.37 one, even though both share the same wear label.
Is a lower float always worth more?
Often, but not always. On skins that barely show wear, the price difference between bands can be small, so a higher float can be better value.
How do I check a skin's exact float?
Use the inspect link to view it in 3D, or buy on a marketplace that displays the float value next to each listing.