CS2 skin pattern (seed): what it is and why it changes the price
Two AK-47s with the same name, the same wear and the same float can be worth €20 for one and several thousand euros for the other. The difference has a name: the pattern, also called the paint seed or pattern index. This guide explains what it does, which skins it really matters on, and how to check it before buying.
The pattern in one sentence
Every skin is given a hidden number between 0 and 1000 when it is created. That number decides how the texture is laid onto the weapon: where the blue falls, where the gradient starts, where the spider webs sit. It never changes, even as the skin wears.
Float (wear, from 0 to 1) and pattern are two different things:
| Float | Pattern (seed) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it decides | Wear: scratches, faded colours | The position of the design on the weapon |
| Values | 0.00 to 1.00 | 0 to 1000 |
| Visible in the name | Yes (FN, MW, FT, WW, BS) | No |
| Changes over time | No | No |
Float is explained in detail in our float and wear guide.
Which skins the pattern really matters on
For the vast majority of skins, the pattern barely changes the look: you can ignore it and buy at the lowest price. It becomes decisive on a handful of finishes.
| Finish | What the pattern decides | What players look for |
|---|---|---|
| Case Hardened | The share of blue and gold | "Blue Gems": as much blue as possible, especially on the visible side |
| Fade | The position of the gradient | A high "fade percentage", up to "Full Fade" |
| Marble Fade | How the colours are distributed | "Fire & Ice": only red and blue, no yellow |
| Doppler / Gamma Doppler | Where the colours sit within the phase | Above all the phase itself (see the Doppler guide) |
| Crimson Web | The number and position of the webs | Well-centred, clearly visible webs |
| Slaughter | The shapes drawn by the blotches | Recognisable shapes (heart, angel…) |
The most famous case: a StatTrak™ AK-47 | Case Hardened in Factory New with pattern 661, regarded as the "best Blue Gem", reportedly sold for over one million dollars in June 2024 in a private sale (exact amount not published). The same skin with an ordinary pattern sells for a few hundred euros.
What it means for you as a buyer
The price shown by a comparison site is for the most ordinary pattern. Marketplaces group every copy of a skin under the same name. The lowest price almost always corresponds to an ordinary pattern. That is also true on ClutchSkin: when you see "€85", it is the entry price, not the price of a sought-after pattern.
Three situations:
- You just want the skin: ignore the pattern, take the cheapest. That is where you make a real saving.
- You want a nice pattern without chasing the record: on Case Hardened, Fade or Crimson Web, "decent" patterns often cost barely more than the entry price. Compare listings one by one before paying.
- You are after a rare pattern: then the price has nothing to do with the catalog price any more. Check the number yourself (see below) and compare with past sales of the same pattern.
How to check a skin's pattern
- On the marketplace: CSFloat, Skinport and most major sites show the paint seed on the listing page, next to the float.
- With the inspect link: every skin has an "Inspect in Game" link. Pasted into a float checker, it returns the exact float and seed.
- In game: inspecting the skin shows you the real look. Pay particular attention to the side visible in first-person view, which is what drives the value.
Scams around patterns
- Made-up "rare pattern": a seller advertises a "tier 1" pattern on an ordinary skin. Check the seed yourself, never rely on the listing's description.
- Misleading screenshots: a screenshot from the right angle can show a very blue side when the visible side is gold. Ask for the inspect link.
- Fake trades: you are offered a "rare" skin in a direct trade outside a marketplace. Always go through a site that guarantees the transaction. Our guide to avoiding scams details the common techniques.
Going further: guides pattern by pattern
The player korenevskiy publishes more than 300 free guides on Steam that rank, skin by skin, the most sought-after patterns (Doppler Ruby, Sapphire, Black Pearl, Emerald, gloves, knives…), with screenshots and seed numbers: see his guides on Steam. It is the most complete reference if you are looking for a specific pattern.
Once you have made your choice, find the skin in our catalog to compare its entry price, fees included, across every site we track.