Counter-Strike 2 / Practical guide
FACEIT Levels and Elo Explained for CS2: How They Differ From Premier
A FACEIT level 10 sounds like the top of CS2, but it starts at 2001 Elo and has no ceiling. Learn what each level means, how Elo moves, how FACEIT differs from Premier, and what a level on a listing does not prove.
ALVIRAN Editorial · Reviewed 2026-10-12
In this guide
Looking for a Counter-Strike 2 account?
Compare profile rank, Premier rating, FACEIT level and Steam level on every listing. This guide explains the FACEIT part.
1. The ten levels and their Elo
FACEIT's skill levels are directly linked to Elo, a rating with a floor of 100 and no upper limit. Its CS2 Elo and skill levels page lists the brackets. The width of each level differs, which is why a level is a rough band and not a precise measure.
| Level | Elo | Width of the bracket |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100 to 500 | About 400 |
| 2 | 501 to 750 | 250 |
| 3 | 751 to 900 | 150 |
| 4 | 901 to 1050 | 150 |
| 5 | 1051 to 1200 | 150 |
| 6 | 1201 to 1350 | 150 |
| 7 | 1351 to 1530 | 180 |
| 8 | 1531 to 1750 | 220 |
| 9 | 1751 to 2000 | 250 |
| 10 | 2001 and above | No upper limit |
Challenger is a status for the top 1,000 players at level 10. FACEIT publishes no percentile table and no equivalence with Premier ratings, so any chart that claims one is unofficial.
2. How Elo changes
FACEIT says Elo changes through wins and losses, with the amount gained or lost linked to your team's perceived likelihood of winning. FACEIT also says access to the advanced statistics shown in the Elo graph requires a Premium or FACEIT Plus subscription.
A level is a snapshot. Elo moves after every match, and FACEIT has reset Elo at the start of recent seasons. Season 9 began on 5 August 2026 with a lighter soft reset based on recent games, followed by 10 placement matches, according to FACEIT's Season 9 article. A level in a screenshot can therefore be provisional.
3. Where a new account's Elo comes from
FACEIT states that new users who meet minimum requirements, including Prime status in CS2 and a minimum number of Premier wins, have their CS2 Elo translated from the Premier rating of their most recent season. Without a Premier rating or enough wins, a user starts at 1000 Elo. The conversion uses a formula that FACEIT does not publish.
That makes a young FACEIT account easy to mistake for a strong one. A high starting level can come from a conversion and not from FACEIT matches played, so ask how many matches the account has on the platform.
Check the FACEIT level against the Elo bands
Listings can show a FACEIT level. Compare it with the Elo brackets in the table above before you decide.
4. FACEIT and Premier are different systems
| Detail | FACEIT | Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Number | Elo, in levels 1 to 10 | CS Rating, in colour bands |
| Run by | FACEIT, a third-party platform | Valve, inside CS2 |
| Seasons | FACEIT seasons, with Elo resets at recent season starts | Premier seasons, with a rating hidden until 10 wins |
| Requirements | A FACEIT account with a CS2 game ID | Prime Status and profile level 10 |
| Equivalence | No official table | No official table |
Our Premier rating guide covers the Valve side.
5. The account behind the level
FACEIT's support pages say several things that matter for a buyer. The game ID page says that altering or erasing a CS2 game ID linked to a FACEIT account is not feasible, and that this holds regardless of circumstances such as a VAC ban, the sale of the FACEIT or Steam account, GDPR deletion or deactivation.
The deletion FAQ adds that bans are applied to individuals and not just accounts, that nicknames are not released after deletion, and that a Steam or CS2 account linked to a deleted FACEIT account cannot be linked to a new one. FACEIT says Elo and skill level cannot be moved to another account, and that bans apply to the person and not just the account.
6. Five questions before you buy
- What is the FACEIT level, and what is the Elo and the date of the screenshot?
- How many matches has the account played on FACEIT, and what was the starting Elo?
- Is the level current, or from an earlier season?
- Which Steam account is linked, and are there any bans on the FACEIT profile?
- Is the Premier rating a separate fact, and is it shown with its season?
7. Four mistakes that cost money
Reading level 10 as the top
Level 10 starts at 2001 Elo and has no ceiling. Challenger is the top 1,000.
Treating a level as lasting
Elo changes every match and has been reset at recent season starts.
Converting levels to Premier
FACEIT publishes no equivalence. Ignore unofficial charts.
Ignoring the game ID
The linked CS2 game ID cannot be changed, so the history stays with it.
Frequently asked questions
What Elo is FACEIT level 10?
2001 Elo and above, with no upper limit. Challenger is the top 1,000 players at level 10.
Is FACEIT level the same as Premier rating?
No. They are separate systems run by different companies, and FACEIT publishes no official equivalence between the two.
Where does a new FACEIT account's Elo come from?
FACEIT converts the latest Premier rating for new users who have Prime and enough Premier wins. Otherwise the account starts at 1000 Elo.
Can the CS2 game ID on a FACEIT account be changed?
FACEIT says altering or erasing it is not feasible, including after the sale of the FACEIT or Steam account.
Do FACEIT bans apply to the account or the person?
FACEIT states that bans are applied to individuals, not just accounts, and that creating a new account does not bypass them.
Do I need a subscription to see my Elo graph?
FACEIT says access to the advanced statistics shown in the Elo graph requires a Premium or FACEIT Plus subscription.
Ready to compare CS2 accounts?
Keep FACEIT, Premier and profile rank apart. For the Premier side, read our Premier rating guide.
Sources and editorial scope
Reviewed on 12 October 2026 against FACEIT's CS2 Elo and skill levels page, game ID page and deletion FAQ. FACEIT pages change with each season, so check the current text, including the Season 9 article. We did not read FACEIT's full Terms and Conditions. The checklist is ALVIRAN editorial advice.
FACEIT's own terms and the Steam Subscriber Agreement govern the linked accounts. The Steam agreement restricts account transfers, and a level check does not establish permission to sell or transfer an account.