CS2 StatTrak Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about StatTrak weapons in Counter-Strike 2. Learn what StatTrak is, the exact drop odds, how to use the StatTrak Swap Tool, pricing differences compared to regular skins, and whether the StatTrak premium is worth paying.
What Is StatTrak?
StatTrak is a special variant of weapon skins in Counter-Strike 2 that features an integrated LED kill counter directly on the weapon model. When you get kills with a StatTrak weapon, the counter increments, permanently tracking your kills with that specific weapon.
The StatTrak system was introduced by Valve in CS:GO and carried over to CS2. It represents one of the most sought-after features for weapon skins, adding a personalized element that makes each StatTrak weapon unique to its owner's gameplay history.
How StatTrak Works
The StatTrak counter tracks kills you achieve in official and community competitive matches, casual games, and most community servers. The counter is:
- Persistent: Your kill count saves permanently to the weapon
- Visible: The LED display is visible to you during gameplay
- Transferable: You can transfer your count between StatTrak weapons of the same type using the Swap Tool
- Tradeable: When you trade or sell a StatTrak weapon, the kill count goes with it
Counter Display Location
The StatTrak counter appears in different locations depending on the weapon type. On rifles like the AK-47 and M4A4, it's typically on the side of the receiver. On pistols, it's often on the slide or grip. The orange LED display is designed to be visible during normal gameplay without being distracting.
StatTrak Drop Odds
StatTrak has a fixed 10% probability of appearing on any weapon skin drop from cases. This probability is independent of the rarity tier—whether you're getting a Mil-Spec blue or a Covert red, there's always a 10% chance it will be StatTrak.
Regular Skin
StatTrak™ Variant
The Mathematics
Since StatTrak is an independent roll applied after the rarity tier is determined, you can calculate the combined odds by multiplying probabilities. For example, a StatTrak Covert drop:
This means StatTrak versions of any skin are exactly 10 times rarer than their regular counterparts. For detailed probability calculations, use our Case Odds Calculator.
StatTrak Odds by Rarity Tier
Here's how StatTrak affects the overall rarity of each tier. These numbers come from combining Valve's disclosed case odds with the 10% StatTrak probability, as documented in their official support documentation.
| Rarity Tier | Base Odds | StatTrak Odds | 1 in X Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rare Special Items (Gold) | 0.26% | 0.026% | 1 in 3,846 |
| Covert (Red) | 0.64% | 0.064% | 1 in 1,563 |
| Classified (Pink) | 3.2% | 0.32% | 1 in 313 |
| Restricted (Purple) | 15.98% | 1.598% | 1 in 63 |
| Mil-Spec (Blue) | 79.92% | 7.992% | 1 in 13 |
StatTrak Knives: The Rarest Drops
A StatTrak knife is among the rarest possible case drops in CS2. With base knife odds at 0.26% and StatTrak at 10%, the combined probability is just 0.026%—roughly 1 in 3,846 cases. For complete knife odds analysis, see our Knife Odds Guide.
Variance Warning
These are statistical averages over large numbers. Due to random variance, your actual results will differ. You could open 5,000 cases without a StatTrak knife, or get one on your 10th case. Each case opening is independent.
StatTrak Swap Tool
The StatTrak Swap Tool is a consumable item that allows you to transfer your kill count from one StatTrak weapon to another of the exact same weapon type. It's available on the Steam Community Market for approximately $0.99.
How to Use the Swap Tool
- Purchase the tool: Buy a StatTrak Swap Tool from the Steam Market
- Open your inventory: Right-click the Swap Tool and select "Use"
- Select source weapon: Choose the StatTrak weapon with the kills you want to transfer FROM
- Select target weapon: Choose the StatTrak weapon you want to transfer TO
- Confirm: Review the transfer and confirm (the source weapon resets to 0)
Swap Tool Requirements
- Same weapon type: You can only swap between identical weapon types (AK-47 to AK-47, not AK-47 to M4A4)
- Both must be StatTrak: You cannot transfer to or from a non-StatTrak weapon
- One-way transfer: The source weapon's counter resets to 0 after the swap
- Single use: The Swap Tool is consumed after one transfer
When to Use the Swap Tool
The Swap Tool is particularly useful when upgrading to a better skin while keeping your hard-earned kill count. For example, if you've accumulated 50,000 kills on a budget StatTrak AK-47 and want to upgrade to a StatTrak Fire Serpent, the Swap Tool lets you carry over your achievement.
StatTrak vs Regular Pricing
StatTrak weapons command a significant premium over their regular counterparts. The premium varies based on the skin's base price, popularity, and market demand, but typically ranges from 50% to 500% above regular prices.
Low-Value Skins (Under $5)
Mid-Value Skins ($5-$50)
High-Value Skins ($50+)
Premium Factors
Several factors influence how much extra StatTrak adds to a skin's value:
- Base rarity: Higher-rarity skins have relatively lower StatTrak premiums (percentage-wise)
- Popularity: Popular weapons like AK-47 and AWP have higher StatTrak demand
- Float condition: Factory New StatTrak commands the highest premiums. Learn more in our Float Values Guide
- Supply: Discontinued cases with limited StatTrak supply see higher premiums
- Collector demand: Some collectors specifically seek StatTrak variants
For understanding how pricing relates to overall skin value, see our Skin Rarity Tiers Guide.
Is StatTrak Worth It?
The value of StatTrak is entirely subjective and depends on your priorities as a player. Here's an honest breakdown of the pros and cons to help you decide.
✓ Reasons to Choose StatTrak
- Personalized experience tracking your kills
- Psychological motivation and goal-setting
- Perceived prestige, especially with high counts
- Investment preservation via Swap Tool
- Rarer and more exclusive than regular versions
- Adds an extra visual element to your weapon
✗ Reasons to Skip StatTrak
- No gameplay advantage whatsoever
- Significant price premium (often 2-5x)
- Kill counter can be distracting to some
- Counter transfers mean your count isn't "yours"
- Harder to resell quickly due to higher price
- Premium could buy a better regular skin
The Practical Calculation
Consider what else your StatTrak premium could buy. If a regular AK-47 | Vulcan costs $40 and the StatTrak version costs $120, that $80 premium could instead upgrade you from Field-Tested to Factory New, or buy an entirely different skin.
Our Recommendation
StatTrak is worth it if you genuinely enjoy tracking your kills and plan to use the weapon long-term. It's not worth it if you're stretching your budget or frequently switch skins. The kill counter adds zero gameplay value—it's purely for personal satisfaction and aesthetics.
StatTrak Collecting Strategies
If you've decided StatTrak is right for you, here are strategies to build your collection efficiently.
Budget-Conscious Approach
- Start with popular weapons: Focus on weapons you use most (likely AK-47, M4A4/M4A1-S, AWP)
- Choose affordable skins: Many attractive StatTrak skins exist in the $5-20 range
- Accept Battle-Scarred/Well-Worn: Lower wear tiers cost significantly less with minimal visual difference
- Watch for market dips: Prices fluctuate, especially during Steam sales and major updates
Investment Approach
- Focus on discontinued cases: StatTrak skins from discontinued cases may appreciate over time
- Factory New only: Best float conditions tend to hold value better
- Popular weapon types: AK-47, AWP, and knife skins have the most liquid markets
- Track case status: Monitor the Active Drop Pool to identify cases nearing discontinuation
Using the Swap Tool Efficiently
- Accumulate kills on budget skins: Build your count on an affordable StatTrak before upgrading
- One swap tool per upgrade: Plan your endgame skin before using the tool
- Consider kill count value: High kill counts (50,000+) can add perceived value when trading
StatTrak Limitations
Understanding StatTrak's limitations helps set realistic expectations.
Counter Limitations
- Maximum count: 999,999 kills (counter stops incrementing after this)
- No assists: Only final kills count, not assists or damage dealt
- Some modes excluded: Kills in certain game modes or custom servers may not count
- No retroactive tracking: Kills before equipping the weapon aren't counted
Trading Considerations
- Kill count transfers: When you sell or trade, the buyer gets your kills
- No count verification: There's no way to prove kills are legitimately earned vs. farmed
- Reset concerns: Some buyers prefer 0-count StatTrak for a "fresh start"
What Doesn't Get StatTrak
Not all CS2 items have StatTrak variants:
- Stickers: Never have StatTrak
- Graffiti: Never have StatTrak
- Music kits: Never have StatTrak
- Agent skins: Never have StatTrak
- Souvenir skins: Use gold stickers instead of StatTrak
Frequently Asked Questions
What is StatTrak in CS2?
StatTrak is a special variant of CS2 weapon skins that includes an LED kill counter on the weapon. It tracks and displays how many kills you've made with that specific weapon, with the counter visible during gameplay. StatTrak skins are identified by the orange "StatTrak™" prefix in their names.
What are the odds of getting a StatTrak weapon in CS2?
StatTrak has a 10% chance of appearing on any skin drop from weapon cases. This probability is independent of rarity—whether you get a blue or a red, there's always a 10% chance it'll be StatTrak. This means StatTrak versions are exactly 10x rarer than regular versions.
What does the CS2 StatTrak Swap Tool do?
The StatTrak Swap Tool allows you to transfer your kill count from one StatTrak weapon to another of the exact same weapon type. For example, you can transfer kills from a StatTrak AK-47 Redline to a StatTrak AK-47 Vulcan. The source weapon resets to 0 kills, and the tool is consumed after one use.
Is StatTrak worth the extra cost in CS2?
StatTrak premiums typically range from 50% to 500% over regular versions. Whether it's worth it is entirely personal. StatTrak adds no gameplay advantage—it's purely cosmetic and for personal satisfaction. Consider whether you genuinely enjoy tracking kills or if that money could buy a better regular skin instead.
Can I reset a StatTrak counter?
There is no official way to reset a StatTrak counter to 0 without using the Swap Tool. If you transfer kills to another weapon, the source weapon resets to 0. Some buyers in the market specifically look for 0-count StatTrak weapons for a "fresh start."
Do StatTrak knives exist?
Yes, knives can have StatTrak. StatTrak knives are among the rarest drops in CS2 with approximately 0.026% odds (1 in 3,846 cases). They command substantial premiums over regular knife versions.
What's the maximum StatTrak count?
The StatTrak counter maxes out at 999,999 kills. After reaching this number, the counter stops incrementing. Very few weapons in the community have reached this limit through legitimate gameplay.
Do kills in all game modes count for StatTrak?
Most official game modes count kills for StatTrak, including competitive, casual, deathmatch, and wingman. However, kills on some community servers or custom game modes may not register. Always test in your preferred mode.
Related CS2 Guides & Tools
Explore more CS2 educational content:
- Case Odds Explained - Deep dive into CS2 probability mathematics
- Case Odds Calculator - Calculate StatTrak and rarity probabilities
- Knife Odds Guide - Everything about rare special item drop rates
- Skin Rarity Tiers - How rarity affects pricing
- Float Values Explained - How wear condition affects skin appearance and value
- All CS2 Tools - Browse our complete toolkit
Final Perspective:
"StatTrak is the ultimate personalization feature in CS2's economy—a way to make a weapon truly yours through gameplay. But it's important to approach it rationally. The premium you pay for StatTrak is purely for the psychological satisfaction of seeing your kills accumulate. That's valuable to many players, myself included. However, if you're on a budget, that same premium could often buy you a Factory New version instead of Field-Tested, or upgrade you to an entirely different skin tier. Know your priorities before paying the StatTrak tax."
Important Disclaimer
This guide is for educational purposes only. CS2 case opening involves financial risk with negative expected value. Only participate with money you can afford to lose. If you're under 18, do not open cases. For help with gambling-related issues, visit BeGambleAware.org.
Last updated: December 2025