Steam levels: how to level up and what it costs
The Steam profile level increases from badges. Badges are created from collectible sets trading cards, and trading cards are purchased on the Marketplace. All together, this turns into fairly simple arithmetic, which is useful to calculate before investing.
Where does experience come from, why does the price go up every ten levels, how much does one level really cost and what does it actually give besides the number in the profile.
How experience is calculated
Creating a badge from a complete set of trading cards gives 100 experience points. The badge can be upgraded by creating it again, and each badge level adds 100 more.
Other badges also provide experience: event badges, for years in Steam, for participating in sales. But the main volume is gained by badge crafting.
The cost of a level increases in steps. The first ten levels cost 100 experience each, the next ten - 200, then 300, and so on. That is, the twentieth level costs twice as much as the fifth, and the fiftieth costs five times more.
Calculating the cost
It’s calculated like this: you take the cost of a full set of trading cards for some cheap game and divide it by the amount of experience that the badge will give. Sets vary greatly in price, so it makes sense to look for the cheapest ones.
One level in the early stages is one badge. By the fiftieth level, several badges are already spent per level, that is, several sets of trading cards.
Hence the main conclusion: high levels are disproportionately expensive. The difference between the tenth and twentieth levels in money is much less than between the hundredth and one hundred and tenth.
- Look for sets of trading cards with the lowest price per set, not per piece.
- Some of the trading cards drops for free for playing time in games you already own.
- Duplicates of trading cards can be sold back to the site.
What profile levels provide
Additional slots for friends: the base limit increases with each level.
Additional showcases in the profile are design blocks that open as they grow.
Chance to drop a booster pack in games where you have already collected a badge.
And the actual number next to the avatar. It’s worth admitting honestly: a high level has little practical use; it’s primarily design.
The skins level does not affect trading in any way. It does not remove restrictions, does not speed up exchanges and does not serve as proof of reliability - anyone with money can cheat it.
Frequently asked questions
How to quickly increase the level of Steam?
Buy cheap sets of trading cards and create badges from them. Each badge gives 100 experience, repeated creation gives the same amount.
How much experience is needed per level?
The first ten levels are 100 experience each, the next ten are 200, then 300 and so on in increments of every ten levels.
What does the Steam level give?
More slots for friends, additional profile showcases and a chance for a booster pack. It does not affect trading.
Does a high level prove that a person can be trusted?
No. Level is bought with money, so scammers often keep accounts with a high level specifically for trust.
Is it possible to level up for free?
Partially: trading cards drops for playing time in the games you have. But collecting a complete set without purchasing or exchanging is almost impossible.
How to craft a Steam badge from trading cards
What is needed for badge crafting, where to get the missing trading cards, how much does it cost and what is awarded for creating a badge besides experience.
Read guide
How to buy the Steam trading cards you are missing
Find the cards missing from a Steam badge, compare the cost of complete sets and use buy orders or trades to avoid paying more than necessary.
Read guide