Opening cases is half the fun in Counter-Strike 2, but you’ll need a key every single time. This quick guide explains today’s CS2 key prices, how buying and selling work, and smart ways to avoid overspending.
Key Takeaways
- Flat in-game price: A standard key costs $2.50 / €2.35 inside Steam
- Tradable keys cost more: On the Community Market, rare or older keys trade between $8 and $16.
- No key, no opening: There’s still no legal method to unlock a case for free.
- Bulk purchases save clicks: You can purchase up to 20 keys at a time directly from the case window.
- Play it safe: Keys are non-refundable, so set a monthly budget before you binge-open cases.
What Is a CS2 Key?
A CS2 key is a single-use digital item that unlocks one weapon case. After you click “Unlock Container” the key disappears forever—think of it as a scratch card rather than a real key.
Pro tip: Want to browse every skin first? Check our complete list of CS2 skins before you spend.
How to Get Keys in CS2
Counter-Strike 2 keys can be bought in bulk, so there is no need to buy one at a time. If you know you’ll be using at least 10 in the coming weeks, you can instantly buy yourself 10.
1: In-game store (recommended)
- Right-click any case → Unlock Container → green price button.
- Choose quantity, confirm on Steam, and return to your inventory.
2: Steam Community Market
- Useful for collectors seeking discontinued keys, but expect a premium because modern keys are non-tradable.
3: Third-party markets
- Stick to high-reputation sites and use Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator to avoid scams.
You can use keys to open even the best CS2 cases you can buy on the market.
How Much Do Keys Cost in 2025?
The CS2 case key price inside the game client is steady at $2.50 worldwide (local taxes may apply). That’s the same “how much is a CSGO key” question players asked years ago—Valve kept the flat rate.
| Buying option | Price range | Tradable? |
|---|---|---|
| In-game checkout | $2.50 / €2.35 | No |
| Steam Market (new-era keys) | $2.60 – $3.20 | No |
| Steam Market (legacy keys) | $8 – $16 | Yes |
| Trusted third-party sites | $2.40 – $14 | Depends |
Bulk-buy tips
- Grab keys in sets of 10–20 before a case-opening stream to dodge repeat checkout fees.
- Convert Steam Wallet funds during seasonal sales when a bonus wallet credit is offered.
- If you trade often, track the case key price CS2 with a Market Watchlist plug-in.
Types of CS2 Keys
Every case CS2 user has a specific key tied to it. As such, there are a huge number of case keys out there that you can buy. While some cases don’t require a key, they’re usually tied to an event, and you must perform certain actions to get them or buy them. Due to those requirements, there’s no need for a key.
Most modern cases share the generic CS2 Case Key, but collectors might still hunt for:
- Operation-specific keys (e.g., Hunt-Down, Wildfire)
- Event keys like eSports 2013 or Winter Offensive
- Sticker Capsule keys for cosmetic addicts
Each key only matches its case family, so double-check before you click Buy. Here are most of the keys you will encounter in CS2:
- CS2 Case Key – Unlocks CS2 Weapons Case, CS2 Weapons Case 2, CS2 Weapons Case 3, or Operation Bravo Case.
- eSports Key – Unlocks the eSports 2013 Case, the eSports 2013 Winter Case, or the eSports 2014 Summer Case.
- Winter Offensive Key Case Key – Unlocks a Winter Offensive Weapons Case.
- Operation Phoenix Case Key – Unlocks an Operation Phoenix Weapons Case.
- Huntsman Case Key – Unlocks a Huntsman Weapons Case.
- Operation Breakout Case Key – Unlocks an Operation Breakout Weapons Case.
- Operation Vanguard Case Key – Unlocks an Operation Vanguard Weapons Case.
- Chroma Case Key – Unlocks a Chroma Case.
- Chroma 2 Case Key – Unlocks a Chroma 2 Case.
- Chroma 3 Case Key – Unlocks a Chroma 3 Case.
- Falchion Case Key – Unlocks a Falchion Case.
- Shadow Case Key – Unlocks a Shadow Case.
- Revolver Case Key – Unlocks a Revolver Case.
- Operation Wildfire Case Key – Unlocks an Operation Wildfire Case.
- Gamma Case Key – Unlocks a Gamma Case.
- Gamma 2 Case Key – Unlocks a Gamma 2 Case.
- Glove Case Key – Unlocks a Glove Case.
- Spectrum Case Key – Unlocks a Spectrum Case.
- Spectrum 2 Case Key – Unlocks a Spectrum 2 Case.
- Operation Hydra Case Key – Unlocks an Operation Hydra Case.
- Clutch Case Key – Unlocks a Clutch Case.
- Horizon Case Key – Unlocks a Horizon Case.
- Danger Zone Case Key – Unlocks a Danger Zone Case.
- Prisma Case Key – Unlocks a Prisma Case.
- CS20 Case Key – Unlocks a CS20 Case.
- CS:GO Capsule Key – Unlocks a Valve-made CS:GO Sticker Capsule.
- Community Capsule 1 Key – Unlocks a Community Sticker Capsule 1.
- Kilowatt Case Key – Unlocks a Kilowatt Case
Safe buying & Selling checklist
- Confirm you are logged into the correct Steam account.
- Never trade keys outside of Steam escrow—screen-share scammers are rampant.
- Use two-factor authentication.
- Keep receipts; Steam support may ask for them if there’s a purchase dispute.
Why aren’t keys tradable anymore
Valve locked new keys to curb money laundering. Any key bought after October 28, 2019, is permanently bound to the account that purchased it. Only pre-patch keys can still circulate on the Market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Simply try to unlock a case, and the purchase prompt appears.
In-game, yes, everything is $2.50. Market prices vary with supply and nostalgia value.
No direct method. Watch for official giveaways or Tradeit promotions instead.
Steam treats key purchases as consumables and won’t refund them once delivered.
Other Topics You Might Be Interested In
- Discover the most expensive CS2 knife.
- Discover the cheapest CS2 skins.
