CS:GO ranking system: All ranks in order from Silver to Global Elite

Climbing the CS:GO rankings in order from Silver to Global Elite is no simple task, but your first step is to learn about the system itself - so here's what you need to know. 

One of the most competitive first-person shooters out there right now is absolutely CS:GO, and that is very much reflected in its ranked mode. Reaching the very top in the game will require supreme mechanics and tight teamwork, often taking hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of playtime and grinding.

Ranked play in CS:GO is no joke, and with so many dedicated fans of the first-person shooter, you will need to work incredibly hard to earn those top spots. Still interested? Here is everything you need to know about the CS:GO ranking system and a breakdown of all the ranks in order.

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How does the ranking system work in CS:GO?

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Similar to most other competitive ranking systems, the CS:GO ranking system is based on a skill rating that you gain through wins and losses - more commonly referred to as MMR.

The key thing to note about the CS:GO ranks is that, unlike many other games, your MMR is entirely hidden, so you never know how much you're gaining or losing after each match.

You typically gain MMR after a win and lose MMR after a loss, but the amount that you receive or lose is very much dependent on your own individual performance.

Going 35-6 in a dominant win will likely have you gain far more MMR than if you only went 6-15 in the same winning match for example, and it also works in the reverse losing situation too. Some people also theorise that getting MVP stars in winning rounds also helps you climb up the ranks in CS:GO, but this is once again unconfirmed and purely speculation.

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How many ranks are there in CS:GO?

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There are 18 ranks in total in CS:GO, and you will have to work your way through all of them if you want to reach Global Elite. You can skip a few if you do well in your initial placement period, but once you have been placed, the real grind will start.

There are also no rank reset periods or seasons where you will have to climb again, so if you continue to play you will only progress or falter according to your own performance.

Being absent from the game for a lengthy period of time will temporarily suspend your rank, however, and you will have to win a certain number of matches again in order to have it visible. This will mimic the placement period from when you first started ranked, although you will likely be placed back where you were before the rank suspension.

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All CS:GO ranks from Silver to Global Elite

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Check out the list below for all 18 of the ranks in CS:GO, starting with the lows of Silver 1 through to the apex of Global Elite:

Ranks continued below...

While most players will be striving for the Global Elite at the top, very few will actually make it there as it is only reserved for the best of the best. You will need to win a lot of games and perform exceedingly well in them to climb that high - but if you do make it then you have something to be very proud of.

• If you want to see where you place among your peers though, make sure to read our CS:GO rank distribution guide

How many wins does it take to rank up in CS:GO?

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In general, it usually takes around 8-10 wins to rank up in CS:GO, but it entirely depends on your own individual performance in each of the games.

Furthermore, while you can have a few losses and draws in between the wins, going on a win streak is the best way to rank up quickly, especially if you are near the top of the leaderboard and pick up a number of MVP stars.

Players have expressed frustration at how difficult it is to rank up in CS:GO though, as it is often unclear how close you are to the next rank, and it can seem like you have been 'stuck' at the same MMR for a while.

As the game has no means of telling you your exact MMR, or how close you are to the next rank, all you can do is keep grinding away and hopefully you will climb the ladder soon enough.

That's it for our explainer on the CS:GO ranking system, and now you know all of the ranks in order. Be sure to head to our CS:GO homepage for more guide content on how to check who has Counter-Strike 2 access, or for a rundown of what the most expensive skin ever sold in CS:GO is.