How to Get Hats in Team Fortress 2

Last Updated: October 8, 2020

Team Fortress 2 offers a unique blend of class-based multiplayer action and fun character customization. With the introduction of hats and miscellaneous items with which to adorn your warriors, you can make yourself unique amongst your fellow players. The steps below will help you attain hats of your own to leave your mark in battle.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Craft a Hat From Unwanted Weapons

1
Click 'Items' in the main menu, then click on the 'Crafting' button.
2
Choose "Smelt Class Weapons" and choose two weapons that are used by the same class. Be aware that these two weapons will be destroyed to create scrap metal, so make absolutely sure they're unwanted before crafting them. When both weapon slots are full, click "Craft!".

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3
Repeat the process to create two more pieces of scrap metal and combine them. This creates reclaimed metal.
4
Combine three pieces of reclaimed metal to create refined metal. Three of these will create a new hat.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Use Metal or Unwanted Hats to Trade With Other Players

1
Ask Steam friends if they're willing to trade. A friend may be looking for a hat that you have in return for one that you want.
2
Join a 'trade' server. Some servers are set up exclusively to help players find others to trade with. Look for servers with "trade_" at the beginning of the map name.
3
Once you've found someone with whom you'd like to trade, send them a trade request. This can be done by from within the main menu by clicking the 'Items' option and then the 'Trading' button.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Purchase Hats Directly from the Online Store

1
Click 'Shop' in the game's main menu.
2
Browse the new items or see everything in the store using the options at the top of the screen. You can view bundles of hats and weapons as well as individual items for each class.
3
To make a purchase, click 'Add Item to Cart', then check out. Follow the prompts onscreen. Steam requires that the funds for your purchase be added to your Steam account before the purchase is made. Once added, the funds will be used to finish the purchase.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Open Supply Crates for a Chance of Receiving a Hat

1
Play to receive crates in the game. Supply crates drop randomly depending on time spent playing Team Fortress 2. They contain a random item from a small set of hats, weapons etc.
2
Purchase a 'Mann Co. Supply Crate Key' from the in-game store. Click on 'Shop' from the main menu to open the store. The Key can be found under the 'Items' tab.
3
With your new key purchased, open your account's backpack by clicking 'Items' and 'Backpack'.
4
Click on your key and click the 'Use With' button.
5
Click the crate you'd like to open. You'll be prompted to confirm that you do want to open the crate after all. Click 'Yes, I'm sure.' and, with any luck, you'll receive a new hat!

Community Q&A

Question

How do I get a purple fire hat w/electric?

Community Answer

You will either have to buy one on the Steam Community Market, buy a key and unbox one from a crate (this is very unlikely), or trade something of equal value with another player.
Question

How do I combine refined metal?

Community Answer

First, make scrap metal using two weapons. Repeat the process until you have 27 pieces of scrap metal. Combine all scrap metal into reclaimed, and all the reclaimed metal into refined metal. You should have three by then.
Question

Is there any way to get crate keys besides purchasing or trading for them?

Community Answer

From what I know, no. The only method I know besides purchasing or trading involves other third-party sites.

Warnings

You can only make and get hats (from drops) if you have premium status on your Steam account. Premium status can be attained by making a purchase from the in-game store.

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