How the CS2 Fade Checker Works
Every CS2 skin is generated with a random paint seed (also called the pattern index) between 0 and 1000. For Fade skins that seed sets how the colour gradient is rotated across the weapon. Because Valve open-sourced the pattern-generation algorithm, that seed can be converted into an exact rotation value, and each rotation is scored on a scale where the best possible rotation is a 100% Fade and the worst is 80%.
This is far more accurate than analysing screenshot pixels, and it is the same method the major marketplaces use — CSFloat, Skinport, csgoskins.gg, DMarket, SkinBid and BitSkins all report the identical fade percentage for a given seed. Enter your seed above and you get that exact value, plus how it ranks against all 1,001 possible seeds for that weapon.
How to check fade percentage in CS2
There are two ways to use this fade checker. Either way you get the exact percentage instantly:
- Pick the weapon and finish (Fade, Amber Fade or Acid Fade).
- Enter your paint seed— the seed (pattern index) is shown on every marketplace listing (Steam Market, CSFloat, Buff163, Skinport) and in inspect tools — to read off that skin's fade percentage and its rank out of all 1,001 seeds.
- Or drag the fade sliderto a target percentage and the tool lists every seed at that level, best to worst — handy when you're shopping for a specific fade before you buy.
A higher percentage generally means a more valuable skin, since more of the gun shows the vibrant gradient. It doubles as a CS2 seed checker / pattern-index checker for these finishes.
100% Fade seeds
Each weapon has its own perfect seed. For the AWP and Karambit, seed 412 is a 100% Fade; other weapons peak at different seeds, all shown in the tool. Full Fades command a premium over lower percentages of the same skin and wear.
AWP Fade, Karambit Fade and every supported weapon
The AWP Fade is the most-searched of them all — its 100% seed is 412, and the checker ranks every other AWP seed beneath it. The same goes for the Karambit Fade, Glock-18 Fade, MAC-10, M4A1-S, MP7, UMP-45 and R8 Revolver, plus every knife with a Fade (M9 Bayonet, Butterfly, Flip, Bayonet, Talon, Stiletto, Ursus, Nomad, Skeleton, Huntsman, Falchion, Shadow Daggers and more). Switch to Amber Fade for the AUG, Galil, P2000, Sawed-Off and MAC-10, or Acid Fade for the SSG 08.
Because CS2 kept every paint seed from CS:GO, the numbers are identical whether you search for a CS:GO fade or a CS2 fade — the same seed gives the same percentage in both games.
Trading skins to chase a clean Fade? Compare the top CS2 marketplaces, or try our other free tools — the CS2 case calculator and the CS2 trade up calculator. Pattern hunting a Case Hardened instead? See the AK-47 blue gem guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is CS2 fade percentage calculated?
Every skin has a paint seed (0–1000) that fixes the pattern’s rotation on the gun. Valve’s pattern-generation RNG is open source, so the seed maps to an exact rotation value, and each rotation is scored on an 80%–100% scale — the best rotation is a 100% Fade, the worst is 80%. Our checker runs that exact algorithm, so the number matches CSFloat, Skinport, csgoskins.gg and DMarket.
How do I find my skin’s paint seed?
The paint seed (also called pattern index) is shown on every marketplace listing — Steam Market, CSFloat, Buff163, Skinport and Skinbid all display it, and inventory tools like CSFloat’s inspector read it from a Steam inspect link. Copy that number into the checker to get your fade percentage.
What is a 100% Fade in CS2?
A 100% Fade is the seed that spreads the full colour gradient as far across the weapon as possible — the most sought-after and expensive version. For the AWP and Karambit, seed 412 is a 100% Fade. Each weapon has its own best seed, listed in the tool when you select it.
What is the 100% AWP Fade seed?
Seed 412 is the 100% AWP Fade — the highest possible fade percentage for the AWP | Fade. The next-best seeds (602, 359, 649…) sit just under 100%. A full AWP Fade trades at a clear premium over a low-percentage one, so the seed matters as much as the wear. Select the AWP in the checker and drag the slider to 100% to see the ranked seed list.
Does the fade checker work for CS:GO skins?
Yes. CS2 inherited every skin, paint seed and pattern from CS:GO, so the fade percentage for a given seed is identical in CS:GO and CS2. Whether you call it a CS:GO fade or a CS2 fade, this checker returns the same value.
Which CS2 weapons have Fade skins?
The classic Fade appears on the AWP, Glock-18, MAC-10, MP7, UMP-45, R8 Revolver, and most knives — Karambit, M9 Bayonet, Butterfly, Bayonet, Flip, Gut, Huntsman, Falchion, Shadow Daggers, Talon, Stiletto, Ursus, Nomad, Skeleton, Survival, Paracord, Classic, Navaja and Kukri. Amber Fade covers the AUG, Galil AR, MAC-10, P2000, R8 and Sawed-Off; Acid Fade is the SSG 08. All are supported — pick any of them in the checker.
Does a higher fade percentage mean more value?
Usually yes. Full (near-100%) Fades trade at a premium over low-percentage ones of the same skin and wear, because more of the gun shows the vibrant gradient. The exact premium varies by weapon and market demand.
What’s the difference between Fade, Amber Fade and Acid Fade?
They’re three separate finishes. The classic Fade runs yellow→pink→purple and appears on the AWP, Glock, knives and more. Amber Fade (AUG, Galil, MAC-10, P2000, R8, Sawed-Off) is a warm amber-to-red gradient. Acid Fade (SSG 08) is a green gradient. Each has its own percentage scale — switch families at the top of the tool.
Is this the same as marble fade?
No. Marble Fade is a different finish measured by pattern tier (like the “Fire & Ice” pattern), not by a single percentage, so it isn’t covered here. This checker handles the Fade, Amber Fade and Acid Fade finishes, whose value is defined by a fade percentage.
Fade percentages computed with the open-source csgo-fade-percentage-calculator (MIT) by chescos, which reproduces Valve's pattern algorithm.