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    CS2 rating system

    CS2 ranking system is a bit different compared to CS:GO and VALORANT and this guide will answer all the questions you might have in your mind!

    ON THIS PAGE:

    • CS2 ranking system explained
    • CS2 Ranks in Competitive Mode
    • CS2 Premier ranks
    • CS2 elo ranks
    • How to rank up elo in CS2
    • CS2 ranks compared to CSGO
    • What is the CS2 rating in Valorant?
    • Can I get a rank in CS2 without Prime?
    • Is Prime CS2 worth it?
    • Does CS2 have hidden MMR?
    • What rank is 15k elo CS2?
    • Can you queue ranked in CS2 with four people?
    • CS2 competitive rank average
    • What rating is considered good in CS2?
    CS2 rating system
    Written By Onur Demirkol

    (Content Writer)

    Reviewed by : Naim Rosinski

    (Content Manager & Editor)

    Last UpdatedAugust 31, 2025 at 11:23AM
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    Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) is changing the game in a big way. It's making it easier for players to enjoy the game the way they like best. Now, there are two ways to play ranked matches: Competitive and Premier. This is a bit different from the old CS:GO system. No matter how good you are, CS2 makes sure you land in the right spot if you play well on its maps. Here is everything you need to know about the CS2 rank system!

    CS2 ranking system explained

    In CS2, there are two main types of ranks. You've got your rank in competitive mode, and then there's a number rank called ‘CS rank’ in Premier Mode. In competitive mode, where you can pick your maps, the ranks are the same as in CS:GO. But in Premier Mode, instead of a rank, you get a number that shows how you stack up against others.
     

    CS2 Ranks in Competitive Mode

    In Competitive Mode, you get to choose which maps you want to play. This is great because if there are maps you don’t like or don’t play well on, you can just skip them. Now, your rank in CS2 can be different for each map. So, if you play a lot on Mirage and do really well, you could be a top player there, but on a map like Nuke, you might not be as high-ranked. This is a cool change because it means if you’re really good at one map, you don’t have to worry about playing against tough players on maps you rarely play.

    This new system also helps if you’re coming back to the game after a break and there are new maps. You won’t have to play against the best players right away while you’re still learning the new places. It’s a good way to make sure games are fair and fun in Competitive Mode. But right now, it seems like everyone starts with a lower rank, even if they win a lot at the beginning.

    CS2 Premier ranks

    Premier mode is another way to play CS2 that’s a bit more serious. Before the game starts, players pick and ban maps from the active duty map pool. This means you need to know a bit about every map if you don’t want to waste your bans on maps nobody plays much. If you like less common maps, you can use this to your advantage by banning the popular ones.After you win ten placement matches in Premier, you get a CS Rating instead of a traditional rank. This number shows where you stand in the world of Counter-Strike 2. You can see your position among your friends, in your region, and in the whole world. This rating changes every time you play, so you always know how close you are to moving up or down. This is different from the old system in CSGO, where it was hard to know how many wins you needed to get a better rank.

    CS2 Premier ranks are divided into seven groups, each based on a range of Elo points. Each group has a unique icon color:

    • Gray: Less than 4,999 Elo
    • Light Blue: 5,000–9,999 Elo
    • Blue: 10,000–14,999 Elo
    • Purple: 15,000–19,999 Elo
    • Pink: 20,000–24,999 Elo
    • Red: 25,000–29,999 Elo
    • Gold: 30,000+ Elo

    Your Premier rank depends on your performance, wins, and the Elo of your opponents. Premier mode also uses a map-banning system, similar to professional esports tournaments. This adds an extra layer of strategy to ranked matches, as you need to be prepared for different maps.

    Premier mode is only available to players with Prime Status, which ensures that dedicated players are matched against each other. This creates a better competitive environment and more balanced matches.

    You can ban maps in Premier (Image Credit: Games & Apps Tutorials on YouTube)
    You can ban maps in Premier (Image Credit: Games & Apps Tutorials on YouTube)

    CS2 elo ranks

    Here are the ranks in CS2, which are pretty much the same as in CS:GO, but they apply differently in Competitive Mode:

    • Silver I (S1)
    • Silver 2 CSGO (S2)
    • Silver III (S3)
    • Silver IV (S4)
    • Silver Elite (SE)
    • Silver Elite Master (SEM)
    • Gold Nova I (GN1)
    • Gold Nova II (GN2)
    • Gold Nova III (GN3)
    • Gold Nova Master (GNM)
    • Master Guardian I (MG1)
    • Master Guardian II (MG2)
    • Master Guardian Elite (MGE)
    • Distinguished Master Guardian (DMG)
    • Legendary Eagle (LE)
    • Legendary Eagle Master (LEM)
    • Supreme Master First Class (SMFC)
    • Global Elite (GE)

    Each rank shows how good you are on different maps or overall in Premier Mode.

    How to rank up elo in CS2

    To rank up in CS2, you need to focus on improving your skills and playing smarter. These tips can help you increase your Elo more effectively:

    Improve your aim and movement

    Practice your aim and movement in modes like deathmatch. These are the most important skills for winning gunfights. Better mechanics give you an edge in every match.

    Learn to manage your money

    Spend your money wisely during matches. Buy weapons and equipment only when it makes sense. Saving when necessary helps your team stay strong in future rounds. Poor money management can cause unnecessary losses.

    Learn the basics and think

    Avoid rushing into fights without thinking. Always position yourself where you can get kills safely or escape if needed. Winning rounds often depends on smart and careful choices.

    Play with friends

    If you can, play with friends who communicate and work as a team. A coordinated group wins more often. If you are playing alone, stay positive and adjust to how your teammates play.

    Play more

    Play a few matches daily instead of grinding for hours. Tired or frustrated players make more mistakes. Focus on playing your best rather than playing too much.

    Keep a positive attitude

    Avoid blaming teammates. Encourage them instead. Good communication improves teamwork and helps your team win.

    Warm up before matches

    Practice your aim for 10 minutes before playing ranked. This helps you start matches with confidence.

    CS2_Aim is one of the maps that you can use to warm up before games (Image Credit: CS2_Aim on Steam)
    CS2_Aim is one of the maps that you can use to warm up before games (Image Credit: CS2_Aim on Steam)

    Listen to the sound of the game

    Pay attention to footsteps, reloading, or grenade throws. These sounds can give you clues about enemy positions.

    CS2 ranks compared to CSGO

    To get your first rank in CS2, you need to win 10 games. Your rank starts at 1,000 and can go way up, depending on how good you are. Every 5,000 points in your rank is shown by a different color, and there's a way to compare these to the old CS:GO ranks.

    Here is a better look:

    CS:GO RANK

    CS2 RANK

    S1-SEM

    1000-4999

    GN1-GNM

    5000-9499

    MG1-MG3

    9499-12999

    DMG-LEM

    13000-16999

    Supreme

    17000-19499

    Global Elite

    19500+

    Source: Leetify

    What is the CS2 rank in Valorant?

    The CS2 ranking system sorts players into categories, similar to Valorant’s ranks, but the numbers and names are a bit different. Check it out below:

    • Bronze, Iron (VALORANT) – 0000-4999 (CS2)
    • Silver (VALORANT) – 5000-9999 (CS2)
    • Gold (VALORANT) – 10000-14999 (CS2)
    • Platinum (VALORANT) – 15000-19999 (CS2)
    • Ascendant, Diamond (VALORANT) – 20000-24999 (CS2)
    • Immortal (VALORANT) – 25000+ (CS2)

    Can I get a rank in CS2 without Prime?

    To get a rank in CS2, you need a Prime account. This means you can’t play in Premier or Competitive modes without upgrading to Prime. This is how Valve makes sure the game stays fair and fun for everyone.

    Is Prime CS2 worth it?

    Thinking about whether to get Prime for Counter-Strike 2? If you're serious about playing and want to get better, then yes, it's a smart choice. Prime is like a special pass that makes your game better and gives you cool, exclusive stuff. It's perfect for players who want to dive deep into CS2 and get the most out of their gaming time. So, if you're all in on Counter-Strike 2 and want to level up your experience, Prime is the way to go.

    Does CS2 have hidden MMR?

    In Counter-Strike 2, there's a hidden score that changes when you win or lose games, called MMR. Unlike some other games where you can see how your rank changes after every match, CS2 keeps this score a secret. You won't know exactly how much you've gone up or down after playing. So, yes, CS2 does have a hidden MMR system. It adds a bit of mystery to your ranking journey, making you focus more on playing well and less on the numbers.

    What rank is 15k elo CS2?

    In CS2, 15,000 Elo places you between Distinguished Master Guardian (DMG) and Legendary Eagle Master (LEM). These ranks are considered advanced and competitive. Players at this level usually have strong aiming skills, good map awareness, and an understanding of team play, at least over mediocre. You shouldn’t expect players who have 15k elo in CS2 to play like some of the best CS2 players out there.

    Reaching 15,000 Elo is a significant milestone. It means you are playing against skilled opponents who are also aiming to rank up. This is obviously for a regular player and not a professional.

    Legendary Eagle is the rank in the middle (Image Credit: Valve)
    Legendary Eagle is the rank in the middle (Image Credit: Valve)

    Can you queue ranked in CS2 with four people?

    No, CS2 does not allow players to queue for ranked matches with four people. This rule ensures fairness in matchmaking. Allowing four players to queue together would leave the fifth player, who joins alone, at a disadvantage. They might struggle to adapt to the group or get bullied, kicked and many other things could happen that will disrupt the peace within a team.

    To keep matches balanced, CS2 only allows groups of two, three, or five players to queue together. This ensures fair gameplay for everyone and reduces frustration for solo players.

    CS2 competitive rank average

    According to Esports.net, most players in CS2 fall within the Light Blue Premier ranks, which range from 5,000 to 9,999 Elo. This tier represents average players, making it one of the most competitive and challenging ranges to climb out of. Matches in this range often include smurfs—high-skilled players using lower-ranked accounts. Smurfs can disrupt games and make it harder for others to rank up

    What rating is considered good in CS2?

    In CS2 Premier mode, a rating above 12,500 is seen as good, according to Bitskins. At 13,000 you are already better than almost half of the players. A 14,000 rating places you above more than one third of all players. If you reach 20,000, you join the top four percent. At 22,000 you are within the top one percent, and anything above 25,000 puts you among the best players in the game.

    Competitive ranks also match with rating numbers. A rating between 1,000 and 6,768 connects with Silver levels. Ratings between 6,769 and 11,178 match Gold Nova ranks. A rating from 11,179 to 14,588 aligns with Master Guardian. Ratings above this range lead to the higher skill groups.

    A 12,500 rating means you play better than average, while 20,000 or more shows strong skill. A 25,000 rating or higher places you among elite players worldwide.
     

    Counter-Strike 2 brings fresh ideas to ranking in games. Whether you're playing on your favorite map or facing off against the whole world in Premier Mode, there’s something for everyone. Valve's new system tries to make sure all kinds of players can have a good time and see where they stand. It's a big step forward for competitive gaming, making sure players of all levels can enjoy the challenge. Check out our other CS2 guides too:

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    Onur Demirkol

    Onur Demirkol here, content writer for THESPIKEGG. I have been around for a very long time now, you may have seen me in the comments.

    I started writing here in 2021, but my first gig was back in 2018. That was when I realized people actually get paid to write about games. I’ve written thousands of articles for different media outlets, led teams, and conducted interviews with players.

    When I’m not behind the keyboard, I’m watching Galatasaray, following the NBA, or pretending I’m still good at basketball. I also work full-time at AnyDesk, writing serious things in not-so-serious ways.

    If you want to reach out, feel free to contact me on X, LinkedIn, take a look at my work at MuckRack or send me an email at [email protected].

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