CS2 Pattern Checker

A paint seed (also called pattern index or pattern ID) is a number between 1 and 1000 that determines how a skin's texture is mapped onto a weapon model. Each seed creates a unique visual pattern, and some seeds are significantly more valuable than others. For example, Case Hardened skins with high blue coverage (Blue Gems) can be worth 10-100x more than average patterns. The paint seed is permanently assigned when a skin drops or is unboxed and cannot be changed.

You can find your skin's paint seed by inspecting it in-game and looking at the item details, or by using a float checking tool like our Float Checker. The paint seed is visible in the inspect link URL and can also be seen on marketplace listings on sites like CSFloat and Buff163. Third-party browser extensions for Steam can also display paint seeds directly on marketplace pages.

A Blue Gem refers to a Case Hardened skin with an exceptionally high percentage of blue coloring on the playside. Case Hardened skins have a randomized blue, gold, and purple pattern determined by the paint seed. Seeds with 90%+ blue coverage on the playside are considered "Blue Gems" and command massive premiums — the most famous being AK-47 Case Hardened seed 661 (the "Scar" pattern) which has sold for over $100,000. Even partial blue patterns (60-80%) carry significant premiums.

Doppler knives come in four standard phases plus three rare special patterns. Phase 1 features mostly dark/black with red accents. Phase 2 is the most valuable standard phase, featuring pink and purple hues. Phase 3 has green and blue tones and is typically the least valuable. Phase 4 features blue and black coloring. The rare patterns — Ruby (all red), Sapphire (all blue), and Black Pearl (dark purple/green) — are dramatically more expensive, with Rubies and Sapphires worth 5-20x more than standard phases.

Fade skins display a gradient of colors, and the "fade percentage" describes how far the color transition extends across the weapon. A 100% (or "full") fade shows the complete yellow-to-red-to-purple gradient. Lower fade percentages (80-90%) show less of the color spectrum, typically cutting off before reaching the full purple. Higher fade percentages are more desirable and valuable. The fade percentage is determined by the paint seed, and certain seeds consistently produce max fades across different weapon types.

Crimson Web skins feature web patterns randomly placed across a red background, and the value depends on web placement and centering. The most valuable patterns have large, centered webs on the playside of the weapon. For knives, having one or more large webs perfectly centered is the holy grail. "Double web" and "triple web" patterns — where multiple distinct webs are visible — command significant premiums. The paint seed determines web placement, making certain seeds consistently valuable.

Slaughter skins feature metallic patterns on a red-pink background. Notable patterns include the Diamond (a centered diamond shape), Angel or Phoenix (wing-like shapes), Heart, Zebra, and Dog Bone patterns. A centered Diamond on the playside is generally the most valuable Slaughter pattern. Pattern recognition is subjective and depends on how clearly defined and centered the shape appears. Karambit and M9 Bayonet Slaughter patterns are particularly sought after by collectors.

Pattern tiers are community-established rankings that classify paint seeds by desirability. For Case Hardened, tiers are typically based on blue percentage: Tier 1 (85%+ blue) represents the best patterns, Tier 2 (70-85%) are very good, Tier 3 (55-70%) are above average, and Tier 4 (below 55%) are considered normal. These tiers help traders and collectors quickly assess a pattern's relative value without needing to visually inspect every individual seed. Different communities may use slightly different tier boundaries.

While all skins technically have a paint seed, patterns only create visible and meaningful differences on certain finish types. Case Hardened, Doppler, Fade, Crimson Web, and Slaughter are the main finishes where patterns significantly affect value. Most other skin finishes (like Asiimov, Hyper Beast, etc.) have textures that look virtually identical regardless of paint seed, so their pattern index has no impact on price. Some niche finishes like Amber Fade and Bright Water also have minor pattern variations.

Yes, several marketplaces support pattern-based searching. CSFloat allows you to filter listings by paint seed, making it easy to find specific patterns. Buff163 also displays paint seeds on listings. Our Pattern Checker tool helps you identify which seeds to look for before searching marketplaces. For high-value patterns like Blue Gems, dedicated communities and databases like our Blue Gem Guide maintain comprehensive lists of the best seeds for each weapon.