Plan before you spend
Ratio tables are guidance for the current build, not a permanent rule. Confirm the numbers against the mechanic reference before locking in a big layout.
Planning tools
Sandustry Tools: Ratios and Research Checklist
These tables turn gameplay into numbers you can plan against. Use them to size a shaker line, budget water, or decide which research to buy next.
Production ratios
Research order
Water budget
Verified against v0.5.5 on 2026-08-20
Official source
Production Ratio Reference
Early game balance clusters around sand, water, shakers, and slag. These are the ratios players plan against most.
Wet sand to gold
- Wet sand drops on a Shaker
- Each pass has a yield chance, not a fixed count
- Diagonal placement feeds more drops per cycle
Sand absorbs a limited amount of water
- Capture steam and return it to water
- Burn slag for heat, then press Burnt Slag
- Snow burns for renewable water in cold biomes
Kinetic Slag Press sizing
- Check drop height and output clearance
- Feed consistent input material
- Unlock Refining 2 before relying on it
Research Checklist
A spoiler-light order for your first gold, then logistics, then slag.
Full research order · Upgrade priority · Light sources: Flashlight, Flare Gun, Wall Light