🎨 What is Fade?
Fade is one of the most iconic finishes in Counter-Strike, featuring a gradient of colors that "fades" across the weapon or knife. The percentage of color coverage determines the pattern's value.
Fade is one of the most valuable CS2 finishes, alongside Doppler Phases and Marble Fade Fire & Ice. If you're building a themed inventory, try the SteamAnalyst Loadout Builder to compare top finishes side-by-side.
- Fade percentage ranges from ~80% to 100%
- Higher fade percentage = more valuable
- Pattern Index (1-999) determines fade percentage
- 100% Fade (Full Fade) is the most valuable
The Color Gradient
Full Fade patterns display the complete color spectrum:
- Purple/Blue at the base
- Pink/Magenta in the middle
- Yellow/Gold/Orange at the tip
Lower fade percentages show less of the yellow/gold portion, making the knife appear more purple/pink dominant.
📊 Fade Scale
| Fade % | Description | Relative Value |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | Full Fade - complete color spectrum | Maximum premium |
| 98-99% | Near-full, tiny bit of yellow missing | High premium |
| 95-97% | Excellent fade, slight yellow reduction | Good premium |
| 90-94% | Good fade, noticeable yellow missing | Moderate premium |
| 85-89% | Below average, limited yellow | Small premium |
| 80-84% | Minimum fade, mostly purple/pink | Base value |
🔪 Karambit Fade
The Karambit is the most popular Fade knife due to its curved blade showing the full gradient.
Fade Notation System
Karambit Fades use a unique notation: X/Y/Z
- First number: Purple percentage
- Second number: Pink percentage
- Third number: Yellow percentage
Most Valuable Patterns
| Pattern | Fade % | Notation | Pattern Index Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| True 90/10 | 100% | 90/10/0 | 412, 413, 470, 532, 876 |
| Fake 90/10 | 98-99% | 90/7/3 | 319, 496, 571, 648, 823 |
| 90/5/5 | 96-97% | 90/5/5 | 242, 387, 615, 729, 891 |
| 80/17/3 | 85-90% | 80/17/3 | Various |
| 70/30 | 80-85% | 70/30/0 | Various |
True 90/10: No yellow on playside, pure purple to pink transition
Fake 90/10: Tiny sliver of yellow visible, very close to true
Karambit Price Impact
| Fade Level | Premium Over Base |
|---|---|
| True 90/10 | +100-200% |
| Fake 90/10 | +60-100% |
| 90/5/5 | +40-60% |
| 90/3/7 | +25-40% |
| 80/17/3 | +10-20% |
| 70/30 | Base value |
⚔️ M9 Bayonet Fade
The M9's long blade showcases the fade gradient beautifully.
100% Fade Indicators
- Full yellow/gold tip visible
- Complete purple → pink → yellow transition
- No "purple tip" showing at the end
Top Full Fade Patterns
| Pattern Index | Fade % | Premium |
|---|---|---|
601 | 100% | +50-80% |
412 | 100% | +50-80% |
876 | 100% | +50-80% |
532 | 100% | +50-80% |
470 | 99% | +30-50% |
319 | 99% | +30-50% |
🦋 Butterfly Knife Fade
Full Fade Indicators
- Complete yellow section at blade tip
- Both blades show full gradient
- Animation displays colors prominently
Top Patterns: 412, 470, 601, 876, 532
🔫 Glock-18 Fade
The original and most iconic Fade weapon.
Fade Percentage Indicators
- Full Fade (100%): Complete purple → pink → yellow, yellow reaches the grip
- Max Fade (95-99%): Nearly complete, slight yellow missing at grip
- Decent Fade (85-94%): Good color coverage, noticeable gap
- Low Fade (80-84%): Mostly purple/pink, minimal yellow
Top Patterns: 190, 205, 271, 354, 661, 716, 922
| Fade % | Premium Over Base | Approx Value (FN) |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | +80-120% | $800 - $1,200 |
| 95-99% | +40-70% | $500 - $800 |
| 90-94% | +15-35% | $350 - $500 |
| <90% | Base | $250 - $350 |
🗡️ Other Knives Quick Reference
| Knife | 100% Fade Premium | Top Pattern Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Bayonet | +40-60% | 412, 470, 601 |
| Flip Knife | +30-50% | 412, 470, 601 |
| Gut Knife | +20-40% | 412, 470, 532 |
| Huntsman | +40-60% | 412, 601, 876 |
| Falchion | +30-50% | 470, 532, 601 |
| Bowie | +40-60% | 412, 470, 876 |
| Talon | +40-60% | 470, 532, 601 |
| Skeleton | +35-55% | 412, 470, 876 |
🧮 How to Calculate Fade Percentage
Visual Estimation Method
- Identify the colors present: Purple (always present), Pink (always present), Yellow/Gold (determines fade %)
- Check yellow coverage:
- Full yellow section = 100%
- 3/4 yellow = ~95%
- 1/2 yellow = ~90%
- 1/4 yellow = ~85%
- Minimal yellow = 80%
Using Pattern Checkers
- Obtain the item's inspect link
- Enter into a pattern checker tool
- Tool returns exact fade percentage
- Compare to known pattern databases
Universal 100% Fade Patterns
These Pattern Indexes consistently produce 100% Fade across most items:
| Pattern Index | Reliability |
|---|---|
412 | Very High |
470 | Very High |
532 | Very High |
601 | Very High |
876 | Very High |
319 | High |
648 | High |
823 | High |
Always verify — some patterns vary by item type.
📈 Float Value Impact
| Condition | Float Range | Effect on Fade |
|---|---|---|
| Factory New | 0.00 - 0.07 | Colors most vibrant |
| Minimal Wear | 0.07 - 0.15 | Slight dulling |
| Field-Tested | 0.15 - 0.38 | Noticeable wear |
| Fades don't drop in WW or BS | ||
Low Float Premium
- 0.00x float: +10-20% premium
- 0.000x float: +20-40% premium (very rare)
Combined Value: A 100% Fade with 0.00x float can be worth 2-3x a 90% Fade with average float.
📊 Trading Tips
Buying Fades
- Verify percentage — Always use pattern checker
- Screenshots lie — Lighting affects appearance
- Compare patterns — Same fade % can look different
- Check float — Lower = better colors
- Premium justified? — 100% worth more, but verify claims
Selling Fades
- Know your percentage — Accurately represent fade
- Provide proof — Screenshots + inspect link
- Highlight low float — If applicable
- Price research — Compare to similar sales
- Full Fade premium — Don't undersell genuine 100%
❓ CS2 Fade Percentage FAQ
What is the highest Fade percentage in CS2?
The highest Fade percentage in CS2 is 100%, also known as a Full Fade. Full Fade patterns show the complete purple → pink → yellow spectrum and typically carry the highest premium.
What is a True 90/10 Karambit Fade?
A True 90/10 Karambit Fade has no visible yellow on the playside, producing a clean purple-to-pink transition. It's rarer and often priced above "Fake 90/10" patterns.
Does float affect Fade percentage?
No—float does not change Fade percentage. But lower float usually looks more vibrant and can increase value.
How do I check Fade percentage accurately?
Use a pattern checker with the item's inspect link to get the exact Fade percentage and pattern index.
📋 Common Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Full Fade | 100% fade percentage |
| Max Fade | 95%+ fade, near perfect |
| True 90/10 | Karambit with exact 90/10 ratio |
| Fake 90/10 | Karambit close to but not true 90/10 |
| Tricolor | Visible purple, pink, AND yellow |
| Bicolor | Only purple and pink visible |
| BTA | Better Than Average fade |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check fade percentage in CS2?
Fade percentage can be checked using specialized tools like CSFloat's fade checker or community fade databases. The percentage indicates how much of the full color gradient is visible — a 100% fade shows all colors (typically yellow, pink/red, and purple), while lower percentages may be missing one end of the gradient.
How much is a 100% fade knife worth?
A 100% fade commands a significant premium over lower fade percentages. The exact premium varies by knife — for a Karambit Fade, a 100% fade can be worth 30-50% more than a 90% fade. For a Butterfly Knife Fade, the premium is typically 20-40%. The difference is most dramatic on knives where the fade is highly visible.
Which CS2 knives have Fade skins?
Almost every knife type in CS2 has a Fade variant: Karambit, Butterfly Knife, M9 Bayonet, Bayonet, Flip Knife, Gut Knife, Falchion Knife, Huntsman Knife, Bowie Knife, Shadow Daggers, Talon Knife, Stiletto Knife, Ursus Knife, Navaja Knife, Nomad Knife, Skeleton Knife, Classic Knife, Survival Knife, Paracord Knife, and Kukri Knife. The Glock-18 Fade is the only non-knife Fade skin.
Does fade percentage affect gameplay?
No, fade percentage is purely cosmetic. It only affects the visual appearance of the skin — the distribution of colors in the gradient. There is no gameplay advantage or disadvantage to any fade percentage. However, higher fade percentages are rarer and more desirable in the trading community.
