How to check the rarity of an nft?

Understanding NFT rarity involves analyzing unique traits, metadata, and their scarcity within a collection to determine value.

Jul 16, 2025 at 10:07 pm

Understanding NFT Rarity

NFT rarity refers to the uniqueness and scarcity of a digital asset within a collection. The concept is similar to collectibles in the physical world — the rarer an item is, the more valuable it tends to be. When you own or are considering purchasing an NFT, understanding its rarity helps determine its potential market value. However, rarity is not solely based on visual attributes, but also includes metadata, traits, and how frequently those traits appear across the entire collection.

To begin assessing NFT rarity, it's essential to identify which traits contribute most to rarity. These can include color variations, accessories, background elements, or even specific animations in dynamic NFTs. Each trait has a frequency score that indicates how rare it is compared to others in the same category.

Using NFT Rarity Ranking Platforms

Several platforms specialize in analyzing and ranking NFTs by their rarity scores. Popular services like OpenSea, Rarity.tools, CoinGecko NFT, and DappRadar offer tools to help users evaluate the rarity of NFTs. These platforms typically pull data from blockchain networks and calculate rarity using algorithms that consider trait frequency and distribution.

Here’s how to use these platforms effectively:

• Visit the platform and search for the NFT collection you're interested in.
• Look for "rarity score" or "rank" indicators next to each NFT listing.
• Compare multiple NFTs within the same collection to understand relative rarity.
• Check the trait breakdown section to see which traits are contributing most to the rarity score.

Each platform may calculate rarity differently, so it's wise to cross-reference results from multiple sources before making decisions.

Analyzing Traits and Their Distribution

A core component of determining rarity lies in examining individual traits and their distribution across the collection. For example, if a particular NFT has a hat that only appears in 0.1% of all items in the collection, that trait significantly boosts its rarity.

To analyze this manually:

• Visit the NFT’s project website or official OpenSea page.
• Review the traits tab, which lists all properties of the NFT.
• Note down each trait and its percentage of occurrence.
• Use a spreadsheet or rarity calculator to assign weightage to each trait based on its frequency.

This method allows for a deeper understanding than automated tools, especially when evaluating newer or less-known collections that may not yet be indexed by major platforms.

Checking Blockchain Metadata for Authenticity

Before relying entirely on third-party rarity rankings, it's crucial to verify the metadata stored on the blockchain. This ensures the NFT hasn’t been altered or misrepresented.

Steps to verify metadata:

• Locate the NFT’s contract address on platforms like Etherscan or BscScan.
• Use the "Read Contract" function and look for functions related to tokenURI or tokenMetadata.
• Cross-check the metadata with what is displayed on NFT marketplaces to ensure consistency.
• Confirm that the image URL points to a decentralized storage system like IPFS, ensuring long-term accessibility and authenticity.

By validating metadata directly on-chain, you eliminate the risk of being misled by inaccurate or manipulated information from external sources.

Comparing NFTs Within the Same Collection

Rarity must always be assessed within the context of its collection. A highly rare NFT in one project may not hold the same value in another. Therefore, comparing apples to apples is key.

When comparing NFTs:

• Ensure they belong to the same collection and version (e.g., Gen 0 vs. Gen 1).
• Look at the total supply of the collection — smaller supplies often mean higher baseline rarity.
• Evaluate how many traits are shared versus unique between the NFTs.
• Consider historical sales data to see if rare traits have historically commanded higher prices.

This comparative analysis provides a clearer picture of where your NFT stands in terms of desirability and potential resale value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can two NFTs have the same rarity score?

Yes, especially if they share identical traits with the same frequency. However, subjective factors like aesthetic appeal or community sentiment can create perceived differences in value despite equal rarity scores.

Q: Does rarity guarantee higher resale value?

Not necessarily. While rarity is a strong indicator, market demand, project popularity, and timing play significant roles in determining actual resale value.

Q: How often should I check an NFT’s rarity after purchase?

It’s advisable to monitor changes periodically, especially if new NFTs are minted or if the collection undergoes updates that could affect trait distributions.

Q: Are animated NFTs inherently rarer than static ones?

Not always. Animation can increase appeal, but rarity depends on the uniqueness and scarcity of specific traits, not just whether the NFT is animated.