CS2 Fade Percentage Guide: How Fade % Affects Knife Prices (2026)
What Is Fade Percentage in CS2?
Fade is one of the most iconic CS2 knife finishes. Every Fade skin has a fade percentage — a value between ~80% and 100% that determines how many colors are visible on the blade. Higher fade % means more colors (yellow, pink, purple) are shown, while lower fade % leaves parts of the blade plain.
The fade percentage is determined by the paint seed — a number assigned when the item drops or is unboxed. The same paint seed always produces the same fade %. This means fade percentage is permanent and cannot be changed.
A 100% fade ("Full Fade") shows all three colors in full intensity and commands a significant premium over lower fade percentages. The difference between an 85% fade and a 100% fade on the same knife can be hundreds of dollars.
How Fade % Affects Price
| Fade % | Colors Visible | Price Impact | Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 95–100% | Full yellow + pink + purple | +20–50% premium | Rare — highly sought after |
| 90–95% | Most colors, slight fade-off | +5–15% premium | Uncommon |
| 85–90% | Partial colors visible | Market price | Average |
| 80–85% | Minimal colors, mostly plain | -5–10% below market | Common |
Fade Knife Prices (Factory New, March 2026)
Current prices for popular Fade knives based on real market data:
| Knife | Condition | Starting Price | Full Fade Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butterfly Knife Fade | FN | $2,736 | $3,200+ for 100% |
| Butterfly Knife Fade | MW | $2,751 | MW Full Fade commands FN-level prices |
| Gut Knife Fade | FN | $143 | $170+ for 100% |
| Navaja Knife Fade | FN | $119 | $140+ for 100% |
| Shadow Daggers Marble Fade | FN | $114 | Fire & Ice adds $50+ |
Note: Butterfly Knife Fade MW ($2,751) can cost more than FN ($2,736) when the MW has a higher fade percentage or better float. Fade % matters more than condition in many cases.
Paint Seed & Fade Percentage
Every Fade item's pattern is controlled by its paint seed (also called pattern index). Key facts:
- Paint seeds range from 0 to 1000
- The same paint seed always produces the same fade % on the same weapon
- CSBoard tracks 62,000+ pattern records covering 27 weapons (20 knives + 7 guns)
- You can look up any paint seed to know the exact fade % before buying
This makes Fade one of the most data-driven finishes in CS2 — you can verify exactly what you're getting before spending a dollar.
All 27 Weapons with Fade
Knives with Fade (20 total)
Every knife type in CS2 can drop with the Fade finish. The 20 knife types include Butterfly, Karambit, M9 Bayonet, Bayonet, Huntsman, Bowie, Falchion, Flip, Gut, Navaja, Stiletto, Talon, Ursus, Classic, Nomad, Paracord, Survival, Skeleton, Shadow Daggers, and Kukri.
Guns with Fade (7 total)
| Gun | Notes |
|---|---|
| Glock-18 Fade | One of the most iconic gun skins, very high demand |
| AWP Fade | Rare and expensive, limited supply |
| MAC-10 Fade | Budget-friendly Fade option |
| MP7 Fade | Affordable entry into Fade collection |
| R8 Revolver Fade | Uncommon, niche collector item |
| UMP-45 Fade | Classic skin, steady demand |
| M4A1-S Fade | Highly sought after, premium prices |
Marble Fade Patterns Explained
Marble Fade is a related finish with its own premium patterns. Instead of fade percentage, Marble Fade value is determined by color distribution:
| Pattern | Description | Price Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Fire and Ice | Only red and blue, zero yellow | Highest premium — 2-3x market price |
| Max Fire and Ice | Maximum red/blue coverage, perfect split | Rarest, most expensive variant |
| 2nd Max | Near-perfect Fire and Ice | Very high premium, slightly below Max |
| Fake Red Tip | Looks like Fire and Ice but has trace yellow | Moderate premium, often mistaken for real F&I |
| Tricolor | Red + blue + yellow visible | Standard market price |
| Blue Dominant | Mostly blue with minimal red | Below average |
Karambit Marble Fade Fire & Ice is one of the most sought-after patterns in all of CS2. A true Max Fire and Ice Karambit can cost several thousand dollars above the base Marble Fade price.
How to Check Fade Percentage
- CSBoard pattern database — look up the paint seed to see exact fade %
- In-game inspect — visually compare the color coverage (less precise)
- Float check tools — get the paint seed, then reference a fade chart
The most reliable method is checking the paint seed against CSBoard's database of 62,000+ pattern records. Visual inspection alone can be deceiving — the difference between 95% and 98% fade is hard to see in-game but can mean $100+ in price difference.
Investment Tips for Fade Knives
- Always prioritize fade % — a 100% fade at 0.03 float is worth more than a 85% fade at 0.001 float
- Full Fade Butterflies are blue-chip investments — limited supply, massive demand
- Marble Fade Fire & Ice patterns hold value better than tricolors
- Paint seed is permanent — once you find a Full Fade, the pattern never changes
- Verify before buying — always check the paint seed, never trust screenshots alone
Buy or Sell Fade Knives on CSBoard
Browse all Fade and Marble Fade knives with pattern data at csboard.trade/browse. Every listing includes paint seed and fade percentage so you know exactly what you're buying.
Want to sell your Fade knife? Get instant USDT payout at csboard.trade/sell — 0% fees, paid in under 60 seconds. Full Fade and Fire & Ice patterns get top-dollar offers.