# How to Get Current BUFF Prices

> `GET /v1/prices/latest` returns current BUFF asks, bids, active listing
> counts, and active buy-order counts for every tracked CS2 item, normalized to
> USD and keyed by exact `market_hash_name`.

The ask is the lowest active listing and the bid is the highest buy order.
Keeping both sides gives a quoted spread, while their volume fields describe
the visible size of the item market.

## Current BUFF data in cs2.sh

The `buff` source object includes:

| Field | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| `ask` | Lowest active BUFF listing in USD |
| `bid` | Highest active BUFF buy order in USD |
| `ask_volume` | Number of active listings |
| `bid_volume` | Number of active buy orders |
| `updated_at` | BUFF's own update time |
| `collected_at` | When cs2.sh fetched the observation |

Latest marketplace prices refresh every ~5-10 minutes, depending on the
source. Supported Doppler, Gamma Doppler, and Case Hardened markets appear in
the item's `variants` object with independent BUFF pricing.

For BUFF-specific float ranges and Fade ranges, use
`GET /v1/market/buff/latest`. It adds `avg_ask` and splits each item or variant
into `base`, `float`, `fade`, and `float_fade` buckets, refreshed every 10
minutes.

## Select the BUFF quote

Fetch the full current-price snapshot, then select the item by its exact
`market_hash_name` and read its `buff` object. For a phase or tier, select the
corresponding entry under `variants` and use its BUFF object.

Use the base quote only for the ordinary item market. An exact low float,
Fade percentage, Doppler phase, or Case Hardened tier can have a different
BUFF market. The [BUFF range endpoint](/docs/api-reference/market-buff-latest)
provides those narrower buckets.

Calculate a spread only when both prices are positive and the bid is no higher
than the ask. A crossed pair should be treated as stale or incoherent and
refetched before it affects a comparison.

## Applicable endpoints

| Endpoint | Returns | Plans |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `GET /v1/prices/latest` | Current BUFF and five other sources for all tracked items | All plans |
| `GET /v1/market/buff/latest` | Current BUFF float, fade, and variant range books | All plans |

## Quote boundaries

- `ask_volume` and `bid_volume` describe the full source object or range
  bucket. Neither is quantity available at the single best price.
- Use `collected_at` for freshness. `updated_at` can remain unchanged while
  cs2.sh observes the same BUFF value again.
- The current endpoints are available on all plans. The free option is a free
  2-day developer key rather than a perpetual free tier.
- See [BUFF163 price history](/resources/how-to-get-buff163-price-history) for
  the three distinct historical datasets and their start dates.