In CS:GO, the most famous thing is its skin economy. CS2(CS:GO) has formed a complete skin economy model. In addition to its design appeal, one of the most critical factors that determine the value of a skin is its rarity. The CSGO skin rarity system divides skins into different levels, each of which has a different name and color. From Customer Grade to Extraordinary, there are a total of 8 different levels, and each CSGO skin rarity affects the market value and collection value of the skin.
In this guide, we will introduce all the information about CSGO skin rarity in detail, from the basic definition to the detailed explanation of each level, to how to get rare skins. You can find the answers in this CSGO skin rarity guide, so let’s start the exploration journey now.
What Is CS:GO Skin Rarity?
CSGO skin rarity refers to the classification of weapon skins based on their rarity and performance. The rarer the skin, the more valuable and more popular it is. The rarer the skin, the lower the drop rate in the case, generally, the drop rate of covert skin is less than 0.001%.
When you obtain a skin, the CSGO skin rarity, quality and other data will appear in the upper right corner of the skin details page. The most common are consumer skins, and the rarest are Covert and Extraordinary skins.
Here is how the CSGO skin rarity colors are classified:
Consumer Grade(white) – the most common CSGO skin rarity category, usually of lower value.
Industrial Grade(light blue) – slightly rarer than consumer, but still considered a low-tier CSGO skin rarity.
Mil-Spec (blue) – the most common rarity found in cases, with low to medium market value.
Restricted (purple) – medium rarity, more valuable than military-spec skins.
Classified (pink) – A high-level CSGO skin rarity skins, with high market demand.
Covert (red) – One of the rarest CSGO skin rarity categories, extremely valuable and highly sought after.
Contraband (orange) – One of the rarest skins that cannot be obtained through crates.
Extraordinary (gold) – The most expensive and prestigious CSGO skin rarity with the lowest drop rate.
CS:GO Skin Rarity Tiers Explained
Consumer Grade (White)
Consumer skins are the most basic and common skins in CS:GO, classified under the CSGO skin rarity system as Consumer Grade. Their representative color is white, and they are available to new players who have just started playing CS2. They are usually obtained through in-game drops or trade contracts. If they are not commemorative editions, their price is generally no more than $1.
Examples of Consumer skins:
MP9 | Sand Dashed
Glock-18 | Groundwater
MAG-7 | Insomnia
Industrial Grade (Light Blue)
Industrial Grade skins are slightly less common than Consumer Grade skins, but are still plentiful, so they are also cheap in the CSGO skin rarity system, usually under $1. We recommend not buying Industrial Grade skins, as they drop frequently in the game.
Examples of Industrial skins:
P250 | Sand Dune
Nova | Polar Mesh
USP-S | Lead Conduit
Mil-Spec (Blue)
Military-spec skins, with blue as their representative color, are the most common skins. Their design has changed a bit compared to Consumer and Industrial, with some patterns and richer colors. They are affordable, with new quality skins costing no more than $10.
Examples of Mil-Spec Skins:
AK-47 | Uncharted
M4A1-S | Nitro
Desert Eagle | Meteorite
Restricted (Purple)
This skin is purple. It is a medium-rarity CSGO skin in the CSGO skin rarity system. As a mid-range skin in CS:GO, it has a richer design and uses a more advanced design process. It is relatively rare in weapon cases, so the price is also higher.
Examples of Restricted Skins:
AWP | Capillary
UMP-45 | Exposure
P90 | Shapewood
Classified (Pink)
It is a rare skin in CS:GO, and the drop rate in weapon cases is greatly reduced, generally less than 1%. In terms of design, their colors are brighter and bolder, and they use more advanced designs, which also increases their appeal.
Examples of Classified Skins:
M4A4 | Desolate Space
Five-SeveN | Hyper Beast
Covert (Red)
The stealth skins are among the rarest and most valuable skins in CSGO skin rarity system and are denoted by a red rarity. Many high-end skins are stealth skins, and they are also popular among professional players and streamers, so their prices are only higher. M4A1-S | Hot Rod is the cheapest red rarity skins CSGO.
Examples of Covert Skins:
AWP | Dragon Lore
AK-47 | Fire Serpent
M4A1-S | Hot Rod
Contraband (Orange)
It is one of the rarest and most special skins. Due to some reasons, such as copyright, policy, etc., it is no longer available in containers, so its CSGO skin rarity is very high.
Examples of Contraband Skins:
M4A4 | Howl (the only Contraband skin in CS:GO)
Extraordinary (Gold)
It is the rarest skin in CSGO, no doubt about it. It is expensive and has a very low drop rate. Some Extraordinary skins can even cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Examples of Extraordinary Skins:
Sport Gloves | Pandora’s Box
Sport Gloves | Hedge Maze
Sport Gloves | Slingshot
How Rarity Impacts CS:GO Skin Prices
CSGO skin rarity is a key factor in determining the value of skin, with rarer skins, such as covert skins, being more valuable. In addition, skins with StatTrak features or special wear conditions (Factory New or Minimal Wear) are even more sought after due to their increased CSGO skin rarity.
The rarity of CSGO skins is affected by many factors. For example, AWP | Dragon Lore has an outstanding design and is very rare. The famous professional player s1mple has also used AWP | Dragon Lore, and the star effect has undoubtedly increased its value. This shows that the CSGO skin rarity combined with other factors can greatly affect the market value of skins.
Where to Get Rare CS:GO Skins
Usually, you can search for the skin you want on the Steam platform and buy it. However, due to CSGO skin rarity, not all rare skins can be purchased, and the price on the Steam platform is fluctuating and can be very expensive. Since CSGO skin rarity greatly affects the value of skins, opening cases gives you a chance to obtain higher-tier, rare skins at a lower cost.
Therefore, you can go to some professional case opening websites to buy cases at a lower price and then unbox them. Gocsgo is a professional case opening website that provides you with a reliable and safe way to buy and trade skins, and provides a variety of skins and weapon casees with different themes. It’s a diverse world of CSGO skin rarity.
Wrapping Up
Understanding the CSGO skin rarity is crucial for both players and collectors. From consumer-grade to contraband, each rarity level offers varying degrees of exclusivity, value, and collectibility. The rarest skins, like Covert and Extraordinary, can fetch thousands of dollars, while mid-tier skins remain popular among casual players.
If you want to buy or explore rare skins, Gocsgo is your best choice. Gocsgo offers a wide variety of different CSGO skin rarity levels, including the rarest and most desirable CS:GO skins. You even have the opportunity to get the rarest skins for less than one-tenth of the price. If you get a skin you don’t want, you can also exchange it on Gocsgo. More gameplay you can explore the entire world of CSGO skin rarity by yourself.
FAQ About CS:GO skin rarity
Q: What Rarity Is M4A1-S | Nitro Skin CSGO?
The M4A1-S | Nitro skin in CSGO falls under the Industrial Grade rarity, which is one of the lower-tier classifications in the CSGO skin rarity system. Despite its relatively common rarity, the Nitro skin remains popular due to its sleek and minimalistic design. It features a matte black base with bold orange accents, giving it a tactical and stylish appearance. The Industrial Grade rarity means it is more frequently obtained from cases, making it widely available and affordable compared to higher-tier skins. For players exploring the CSGO skin rarity ladder, the Nitro is an excellent example of a low-cost yet visually striking option.
Q: Are StatTrak Skins Rarer Than Regular Skins?
Yes, StatTrak skins are rarer than their regular counterparts. StatTrak versions of skins track the number of kills made with the weapon, making them more desirable and harder to obtain. Due to the CSGO skin rarity system, they only have a 10% chance of dropping from cases, making them rarer and often more expensive than standard skins. For highly sought-after skins, the StatTrak variant can sell for significantly higher prices, as the CSGO skin rarity increases along with the added tracking feature..
Q: What Is the Rarest CS:GO Skin Ever Released?
The rarest CS:GO skin is the AWP | Dragon Lore (Souvenir Factory New). It was only obtainable from Cobblestone Souvenir Packages, which were discontinued, making it extremely scarce. Its rarity, combined with its legendary design and connection to CS:GO Major tournaments, makes it one of the most valuable skins, sometimes selling for over $100,000. Contraband skins, like M4A4 | Howl, are also extremely rare due to their removal from cases.