CS2 Factory New Trade-Up Guide — Engineer FN Output Skins
Factory New skins command the highest prices in CS2 — often 2–10× more than their Field-Tested equivalents. Because output float in CS2 trade-ups is deterministic (not random), you can precisely engineer Factory New outputs by controlling your input floats. This guide explains exactly how.
Find Factory New Trade-Ups Free →The CS2 Float Formula for Factory New Outputs
The CS2 trade-up float formula is:
output_float = output_min + avg_adjusted_float × (output_max - output_min)Where avg_adjusted_float is the average of your 10 inputs, each normalized to their own skin's float range.
For a Factory New output (0.00–0.07), you need your average adjusted float to be below 0.07. With a full-range (0.00–1.00) output skin, that means your inputs must average an adjusted float below 0.07 — i.e., all Factory New inputs.
With a capped output skin (e.g. 0.00–0.45), the same avg adjusted float of 0.07 gives output float 0.07 × 0.45 = 0.03 — solidly Factory New.
Mixed Float: Getting FN Outputs with Cheaper Inputs
Pure FN inputs are expensive. Mixed Float mode lets you combine:
- Main skins at low float (e.g. 0.04 FN)
- Filler skins at a slightly higher float
By adjusting the filler float and split ratio, TradeUpX finds the combination that keeps the average adjusted float below your FN threshold at the lowest total cost.
Example: 7 main skins at adjusted float 0.04 + 3 filler skins at adjusted float 0.10 → avg = (7×0.04 + 3×0.10)/10 = 0.058 → Factory New on full-range output.
Enable Mixed Float mode in TradeUpX to calculate this automatically.
Best Collections for FN Premium Targeting
Not all skins have large FN premiums. Target collections where:
- FN output price is ≥2× the FT price
- The output skin has good liquidity (20+ FN listings)
- Input skins are available in FN or low-MW at reasonable cost
High FN premium collections include those containing popular Classified skins (AK-47s, AWPs, M4s) where condition dramatically affects pattern clarity or finish quality. TradeUpX scans all collections and shows the FN-specific EV for every contract.
FN Input Sourcing Strategy
Sourcing FN inputs at the right float requires patience:
- Target float ≤ 0.04: Safe margin below FN cap. Avoid floats 0.05–0.07 which produce near-cap FN and may round to MW in some output calculations.
- Steam buy orders: Set orders below ask price — FN skins at specific floats are easier to find via buy order fills than manual browsing.
- Third-party markets: CSFloat and DMarket often list FN skins with visible float values, making sourcing more precise.