CS2 Wear Levels Explained: FN vs MW vs FT vs WW vs BS | BUFF Market

If you’ve ever shopped for CS2 (formerly CSGO) skins, you’ve seen the abbreviations FN, MW, FT, WW, BS next to every listing. These five wear levels determine both a skin’s visual condition and its market value, and misjudging them can cost you money when buying or selling on BUFF Market. We’re breaking down exactly what each tier means, how float changes value, and how to use wear filters to get the best deal.

The Five CS2 Wear Tiers at a Glance

Every CS2 skin is assigned a fixed float value between 0.00 and 1.00 when it is unboxed or dropped, and this number never changes, no matter how much you use the skin in matches. Float values are sorted into five standardized wear tiers, as outlined below:

Tier Name Abbreviation Float Range Typical Visual Impact Factory New FN 0.00–0.07 No visible scratches or wear, looks completely brand new Minimal Wear MW 0.07–0.15 Very faint, barely noticeable scratches only visible on close inspection Field-Tested FT 0.15–0.38 Visible scratches and wear across most of the skin, core design remains fully intact Well-Worn WW 0.38–0.45 Significant wear, scratches may cover large sections, with minor design fading Battle-Scarred BS 0.45–1.00 Heavy, obvious wear and fading, large patches of the base weapon may show through Why Two Skins in the Same Wear Tier Can Look Completely Different

Wear tier labels only tell part of the story, because float values vary widely within each tier. For example, a Field-Tested skin with a 0.151 float is just barely over the MW threshold, and will look nearly identical to a high-float MW skin. By contrast, a Field-Tested skin with a 0.379 float is just below the WW threshold, and will have far more visible wear.

This difference between low-float and high-float skins within the same tier is one of the most common reasons for price variation between listings with the same wear label. BUFF Market displays the exact float value on every listing, so you can filter for exactly the condition you want, no surprises.

How Wear Level Impacts Skin Pricing: Real BUFF Market Examples

In most cases, lower wear correlates directly with higher price, with gaps between tiers ranging from 2x to 10x depending on the skin’s rarity. Below are real, verified prices from BUFF Market as of September 2026: - Factory New: M4A1-S | Fizzy POP (FN) costs $16.01, with 91 active listings - Minimal Wear: M4A1-S | Liquidation (MW) costs $4.35, nearly 75% cheaper than the FN Fizzy POP - Field-Tested: M4A4 | The Emperor (FT) costs $56.71, with 91 active listings - Well-Worn: M4A4 | Radiation Hazard (WW) costs $28.21, a 50% price drop from the FT M4A4 | The Emperor, and AWP | Acheron (WW) costs $1.10 for budget shoppers - Battle-Scarred: AK-47 | Breakthrough (BS) costs $1.76, one of the most affordable playable skins on the market

When the Standard Wear Price Ladder Doesn’t Apply

There are four common exceptions to the “lower wear = higher price” rule, all driven by scarcity or collector demand: 1. Pattern-dependent skins: A Well-Worn AK-47 | Case Hardened costs $183 on BUFF Market as of September 2026, and versions with rare blue gem patterns regularly sell for far more than FN variants of the same skin. 2. StatTrak variants: StatTrak™ AK-47 | Legion of Anubis (BS) costs $33.88, more expensive than many non-StatTrak FN skins due to the added kill-tracking feature. 3. Souvenir skins: Souvenir AWP | Asiimov (WW) is approx. $222 based on domestic BUFF reference pricing, as limited major event souvenir drops make scarcity a far bigger value driver than wear. 4. Collector-grade skins: M4A4 | Hellfire (FN) costs $394 on BUFF Market as of September 2026, where near-perfect condition is a top priority for high-end collectors.

How to Filter and Read Wear Levels on BUFF Market

Navigating wear tiers on BUFF Market is simple: - Every listing displays the exact float value right below the official wear tier label, so you can instantly see how a skin sits within its tier - You can filter search results to only show specific wear tiers, so you don’t waste time browsing skins outside your desired condition - Use the Buy Order feature to set a custom request specifying your desired wear tier, float range, and price, and BUFF Market will automatically match you when a seller lists a skin that meets your criteria - For sellers, Direct Listing lets you set your exact asking price, with full visibility to all active buyers

Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Right Wear Tier for Your Budget

Use these simple rules to pick the best wear tier for your needs: - FN: Worth paying for if you’re buying high-visibility skins like knives and AWP skins, especially those with dark designs that show scratches easily - MW: The sweet spot for most rifle skins, usually 70–85% of the FN price with nearly identical visual quality for casual play - FT: The most popular budget pick for most players, scratches are visible but don’t obscure the skin’s design, perfect if you prioritize value over perfection - WW/BS: Best for skins that hold their design well through heavy wear, like the M4A1-S | Hyper Beast (WW) which costs $121 on BUFF Market as of September 2026, or if you’re shopping on an extremely tight budget

Seller’s Guide: Pricing Your Skins by Wear on BUFF Market

Follow these tips to price your skins fairly and sell quickly: 1. First check comparable listings for the same skin and wear tier on BUFF Market to set a competitive baseline price 2. Adjust for float within the tier: low-float skins can be priced closer to the next higher tier (e.g., a 0.152 FT skin can be priced near MW levels, since it looks nearly new) 3. Use the Counter-offer feature: buyers may send you lower offers, so set your initial asking price slightly above the lowest current listing to leave room for negotiation 4. If you want a fast sale, use the Instant Listing feature to automatically match the current lowest ask for your skin’s wear tier

Why Shop and Sell Skins by Wear on BUFF Market

BUFF Market has 34,000+ distinct CS2 item types as of July 2026, so you can find even rare low-float or high-float variants across all wear tiers. Low trading fees mean the price difference between tiers is not inflated like on other platforms, so you get fair value whether you’re buying a budget BS skin or a high-end FN collector item. BUFF Market averages 31%+ below Steam Community Market prices, per July 2026 internal data, so you’ll get a better deal no matter what wear tier you’re shopping for.

Looking to pick up any of the skins mentioned here? BUFF Market has low prices, averages 31%+ below Steam Market, and lists 34,000+ item types. Browse the market

FAQ Do CS2 skin wear levels get worse over time?

No, a skin’s float value is fixed when it is unboxed or dropped, so its wear level never changes no matter how much you use it in matches.

Is a low-float FT skin better than a high-float MW skin?

No, tier boundaries are fixed: any skin under 0.15 float is MW, regardless of how close it is to 0.15. A high-float MW will always be in a higher tier than a low-float FT, and usually commands a higher price, though visual differences may be negligible.

Can I filter for specific float ranges on BUFF Market?

Yes, BUFF Market lets you set exact minimum and maximum float values in your search filters, so you can find the exact condition you want without sorting through irrelevant listings.