Transport belts/Physics - Revision history

HeliGungir: /* Belt positions and lengths */ Expanded footnote about splitters. Added link again, but reluctantly, since the same link is duplicated between body and footnote.

2026-03-05T06:45:30Z

Belt positions and lengths: Expanded footnote about splitters. Added link again, but reluctantly, since the same link is duplicated between body and footnote.

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:45, 5 March 2026
Line 90:		Line 90:
	\| colspan=2 \| Length of one lane of an underground belt \|\| align="center" \| 256		\| colspan=2 \| Length of one lane of an underground belt \|\| align="center" \| 256
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| Length of one lane of a splitter's input \|\| align="center" \| ~~179 (128+51)~~<sup>†</sup>		\| colspan=2 \| Length of one lane of a splitter's input \|\| align="center" \| 128–179<sup>†</sup>
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| Length of one lane of a splitter's output \|\| align="center" \| 128		\| colspan=2 \| Length of one lane of a splitter's output \|\| align="center" \| 128
Line 100:		Line 100:
	\| style="border-left: 0px" \| [[Image:Sideload-early.gif]] \|\| align="center" \| 188		\| style="border-left: 0px" \| [[Image:Sideload-early.gif]] \|\| align="center" \| 188
	\|}		\|}
	<sup>†</sup> ~~includes a~~ buffer of 51 positions		<sup>†</sup> Splitters have 128 normal positions, plus an invisible internal buffer of 51 positions that is used to align items before merging them with another transport line. Items in the buffer can "teleport" to the appropriate output lane at any time, including immediately, so the buffer may appear to be anywhere from 0 to 51 positions long depending on the exact circumstances. [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?p=554468#p554468][https://www.factorio.com/blog/post/fff-287]

HeliGungir: /* Belt positions and lengths */ Split the table in two: One for speed, the other for length

2026-03-05T06:38:27Z

Belt positions and lengths: Split the table in two: One for speed, the other for length

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:38, 5 March 2026
Line 66:		Line 66:

	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	! colspan=2 \| ~~What~~ \|\| ~~Number of positions~~		! colspan=2 \| Belt \|\| Item Speed (Positions per Tick)
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| ~~Basic [[transport~~ belt~~]] speed, per tick~~ \|\| align="center" \| 8		\| colspan=2 \| {{imagelink\|Transport belt}} \|\| align="center" \| 8
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| [[Fast transport belt~~]] speed, per tick~~ \|\| align="center" \| 16		\| colspan=2 \| {{imagelink\|Fast transport belt}} \|\| align="center" \| 16
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| [[Express transport belt~~]] speed, per tick~~ \|\| align="center" \| 24		\| colspan=2 \| {{imagelink\|Express transport belt}} \|\| align="center" \| 24
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| [[Turbo transport belt~~]]{{SA~~}} speed~~, per tick~~ \|\| align="center" \| 32		\| colspan=2 \| {{imagelink\|Turbo transport belt\|space-age=yes}} \|\| align="center" \| 32
			\|}

			{\| class="wikitable"
			! colspan=2 \| Measurement \|\| Length (Positions)
			\|-
			\| colspan=2 \| Distance between items on a saturated belt (of any speed) \|\| align="center" \| 64
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| Length of ~~an item on~~ a belt ~~(of any speed)~~ \|\| align="center" \| 64		\| colspan=2 \| Length of one lane of a straight belt \|\| align="center" \| 256
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| Length of ~~one~~ lane of a ~~straight belt tile and underground~~ belt \|\| align="center" \| ~~256~~		\| colspan=2 \| Length of inner lane of a belt turn \|\| align="center" \| 106
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| Length of ~~one~~ lane of ~~the splitter input line~~ \|\| align="center" \| ~~179 (128+51)<sup>1</sup>~~		\| colspan=2 \| Length of outer lane of a belt turn \|\| align="center" \| 295
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| Length of one lane of ~~the splitter output line~~ \|\| align="center" \| ~~128~~		\| colspan=2 \| Length of one lane of an underground belt \|\| align="center" \| 256
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| Length of ~~the inner~~ lane of a ~~turn~~ \|\| align="center" \| ~~106~~		\| colspan=2 \| Length of one lane of a splitter's input \|\| align="center" \| 179 (128+51)<sup>†</sup>
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| Length of ~~the outer~~ lane of a ~~turn~~ \|\| align="center" \| ~~295~~		\| colspan=2 \| Length of one lane of a splitter's output \|\| align="center" \| 128
	\|-		\|-
	\| style="border-right: 0px" \| ~~Length~~ travelled by an item sideloaded late on a straight belt<br> or underground exit		\| style="border-right: 0px" \| Distance travelled by an item sideloaded late on a straight belt<br> or an underground exit
	\| style="border-left: 0px" \| [[Image:Sideload-late.gif]] \|\| align="center" \| 68		\| style="border-left: 0px" \| [[Image:Sideload-late.gif]] \|\| align="center" \| 68
	\|-		\|-
	\| style="border-right: 0px" \| ~~Length~~ travelled by an item sideloaded early on a straight belt<br> or underground entrance		\| style="border-right: 0px" \| Distance travelled by an item sideloaded early on a straight belt<br> or an underground entrance
	\| style="border-left: 0px" \| [[Image:Sideload-early.gif]] \|\| align="center" \| 188		\| style="border-left: 0px" \| [[Image:Sideload-early.gif]] \|\| align="center" \| 188
	\|}		\|}
	<sup>~~(1)~~</sup>includes a buffer of 51 positions		<sup>†</sup> includes a buffer of 51 positions

HeliGungir: /* Belt positions and lengths */ Moved a link from a footnote to the body. The

2026-03-05T05:22:11Z

Belt positions and lengths: Moved a link from a footnote to the body. The

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:22, 5 March 2026
Line 61:		Line 61:
	== Belt positions and lengths ==		== Belt positions and lengths ==

	[https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=70055 Careful measurement] shows that the outer lane of a turn is exactly 1.15234375 times longer than a straight belt, or 295/256 in fractional format. That means each straight belt tile has 256 ''positions'' an item can be in, even though measuring the position with that precision can only be done indirectly.		[https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=70055 Careful measurement] shows that the outer lane of a turn is exactly 1.15234375 times longer than a straight belt, or 295/256 in fractional format. That means each straight belt tile has 256 ''positions'' an item can be in, even though measuring the position with that precision can only be done indirectly. This has since been confirmed by the devs. [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?p=554468#p554468]

	Here are the speeds and lengths of the various types of belt tiles in terms of these positions:		Here are the speeds and lengths of the various types of belt tiles in terms of these positions:
Line 94:		Line 94:
	\| style="border-left: 0px" \| [[Image:Sideload-early.gif]] \|\| align="center" \| 188		\| style="border-left: 0px" \| [[Image:Sideload-early.gif]] \|\| align="center" \| 188
	\|}		\|}
	<sup>(1)</sup>includes a buffer of 51 positions ~~[https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?p=554468#p554468]~~		<sup>(1)</sup>includes a buffer of 51 positions

HeliGungir: /* See also */ Added link to FFF #287

2026-03-05T05:03:10Z

HeliGungir: /* See also */ Removed dates from the FFF links

2026-03-05T04:43:25Z

See also: Removed dates from the FFF links

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:43, 5 March 2026
Line 107:		Line 107:
	== See also ==		== See also ==
	* [[Belt transport system]]		* [[Belt transport system]]
	* ~~Jan 04~~ FFF #276: [https://www.factorio.com/blog/post/fff-276 Belt item spacing & Script rendering]		* FFF #276: [https://www.factorio.com/blog/post/fff-276 Belt item spacing & Script rendering]
	* ~~Feb 23~~ FFF #231: [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-231 Belt compression & Crash log uploading]		* FFF #231: [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-231 Belt compression & Crash log uploading]
	* ~~Feb 03~~ FFF #176: [https://www.factorio.com/blog/post/fff-176 Belts optimization for 0.15]		* FFF #176: [https://www.factorio.com/blog/post/fff-176 Belts optimization for 0.15]
	* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=70055 Accurate belt segment measurements] (discusses 0.17)		* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=70055 Accurate belt segment measurements] (discusses 0.17)
	* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?p=554468#p554468 About belt numbers, from boskid]		* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?p=554468#p554468 About belt numbers, from boskid]

	{{C\|Belt transport system{{!}}#Belt transport system}}		{{C\|Belt transport system{{!}}#Belt transport system}}

HeliGungir: /* See also */ Added link to FFF #231

2026-03-05T04:41:27Z

Thrawcheld: /* Belt positions and lengths */ +turbo belt

2024-11-24T13:37:12Z

Belt positions and lengths: +turbo belt

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:37, 24 November 2024
Line 73:		Line 73:
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| [[Express transport belt]] speed, per tick \|\| align="center" \| 24		\| colspan=2 \| [[Express transport belt]] speed, per tick \|\| align="center" \| 24
			\|-
			\| colspan=2 \| [[Turbo transport belt]]{{SA}} speed, per tick \|\| align="center" \| 32
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| Length of an item on a belt (of any speed) \|\| align="center" \| 64		\| colspan=2 \| Length of an item on a belt (of any speed) \|\| align="center" \| 64

Thrawcheld: /* Belt properties */ don't put blank lines between list items – this actually creates separate lists. Also note density increases with use of stack inserters and the existence of turbo belts

2024-11-24T13:33:27Z

Belt properties: don't put blank lines between list items – this actually creates separate lists. Also note density increases with use of stack inserters and the existence of turbo belts

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:33, 24 November 2024
Line 4:		Line 4:
	== Belt properties ==		== Belt properties ==

	* '''Density'''. How many items fit onto a certain length of belt, measured in items per [[Map_structure#Tile\|tile]] per belt lane. This is 4 on a straight belt, regardless of the type of item and type of belt. The item density on belts can be different from what they take up when just dropped on the ground (using the Z key).		* '''Density'''. How many items fit onto a certain length of belt, measured in items per [[Map_structure#Tile\|tile]] per belt lane. This is 4 on a straight belt, regardless of the type of item and type of belt. The item density on belts can be different from what they take up when just dropped on the ground (using the Z key). Density of items can be increased with the use of [[stack inserter]]s{{SA}}, but there are still at most 4 stacks per tile per lane.
			* '''Speed'''. The speed of items on a belt is measured for practical reasons in tiles per second. Note that internally it is measured in positions (1/256 tile) per tick (1/60 sec). More on that below. The speed of a basic [[transport belt]] is 1.875 tiles per [[Time#Seconds\|game-second]]. [[Fast transport belt]] is twice as fast, [[express transport belt]] is three times as fast, and [[turbo transport belt]]{{SA}} is four times as fast.
	* '''Speed'''. The speed of items on a belt is measured for practical reasons in tiles per second. Note that internally it is measured in positions (1/256 tile) per tick (1/60 sec). More on that below. The speed of a basic [[transport belt]] is 1.875 tiles per [[Time#Seconds\|game-second]]. [[Fast transport belt]] is twice as fast, ~~and~~ [[express transport belt]] is three times as fast.

	* '''Throughput'''. How many items per second that are moved from one tile to the next. That is density (items per tile) multiplied by speed (tiles per second), e.g. for a basic belt it is 4 * 1.875 = 7.5 items per second, for one belt lane. For both lanes it is doubled, i.e. 15 items per second.		* '''Throughput'''. How many items per second that are moved from one tile to the next. That is density (items per tile) multiplied by speed (tiles per second), e.g. for a basic belt it is 4 * 1.875 = 7.5 items per second, for one belt lane. For both lanes it is doubled, i.e. 15 items per second.
			* '''Compression'''. If there is no empty space between items on the belt it is called ''fully compressed'', otherwise its compression is only partial and it does not have optimal throughput. Entities that put items onto belts – [[inserters]], [[splitters]], other belts coming from the side, mining drills, etc - make room for their item by [[Version history/0.16.0#0.16.25\|enlarging a small gap]] until it is exactly big enough for the item. That means belts naturally become fully compressed before items start to back up.
	* '''Compression'''. If there is no empty space between items on the belt it is called ''fully compressed'', otherwise its compression is only partial and it does not have optimal throughput. Entities that put items onto belts - [[inserters]], [[splitters]], other belts coming from the side, mining drills, etc - make room for their item by [[Version history/0.16.0#0.16.25\|enlarging a small gap]] until it is exactly big enough for the item. That means belts naturally become fully compressed before items start to back up.

	* '''Lanes'''. Belts have two parallel lanes, and the density and speed of each lane is constant and independent of the other one, regardless of twists and turns. So items in the inner lane of a turn exit it before those in the outer lane, since their speeds are equal and the inner lane is shorter than the outer one.		* '''Lanes'''. Belts have two parallel lanes, and the density and speed of each lane is constant and independent of the other one, regardless of twists and turns. So items in the inner lane of a turn exit it before those in the outer lane, since their speeds are equal and the inner lane is shorter than the outer one.

Avender: /* Belt speeds */ added Turbo transport belt

2024-10-22T13:01:38Z

Belt speeds: added Turbo transport belt

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:01, 22 October 2024
Line 28:		Line 28:
	\|- align="center"		\|- align="center"
	\| align="left" \| {{Imagelink\|Express transport belt}} \|\| 3 \|\| 5.625 \|\| 22.5 \|\| 1350 \|\| 45 \|\| 2700		\| align="left" \| {{Imagelink\|Express transport belt}} \|\| 3 \|\| 5.625 \|\| 22.5 \|\| 1350 \|\| 45 \|\| 2700
			\|- align="center"
			\| align="left" \| {{Imagelink\|Turbo transport belt\|space-age=yes}} \|\| 4 \|\| 7.5 \|\| 30 \|\| 1800 \|\| 60 \|\| 3600
	\|}		\|}

Bilka: link to wiki release notes instead of forum post, simplified image links

2024-07-22T13:11:36Z

link to wiki release notes instead of forum post, simplified image links

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:11, 22 July 2024
Line 10:		Line 10:
	* '''Throughput'''. How many items per second that are moved from one tile to the next. That is density (items per tile) multiplied by speed (tiles per second), e.g. for a basic belt it is 4 * 1.875 = 7.5 items per second, for one belt lane. For both lanes it is doubled, i.e. 15 items per second.		* '''Throughput'''. How many items per second that are moved from one tile to the next. That is density (items per tile) multiplied by speed (tiles per second), e.g. for a basic belt it is 4 * 1.875 = 7.5 items per second, for one belt lane. For both lanes it is doubled, i.e. 15 items per second.

	* '''Compression'''. If there is no empty space between items on the belt it is called ''fully compressed'', otherwise its compression is only partial and it does not have optimal throughput. Entities that put items onto belts - [[inserters]], [[splitters]], other belts coming from the side, mining drills, etc - make room for their item by [~~https:~~/~~/forums~~.~~factorio~~.~~com/viewtopic~~.~~php?f=3&t=57993~~ enlarging a small gap] until it is exactly big enough for the item. That means belts naturally become fully compressed before items start to back up.		* '''Compression'''. If there is no empty space between items on the belt it is called ''fully compressed'', otherwise its compression is only partial and it does not have optimal throughput. Entities that put items onto belts - [[inserters]], [[splitters]], other belts coming from the side, mining drills, etc - make room for their item by [[Version history/0.16.0#0.16.25\|enlarging a small gap]] until it is exactly big enough for the item. That means belts naturally become fully compressed before items start to back up.

	* '''Lanes'''. Belts have two parallel lanes, and the density and speed of each lane is constant and independent of the other one, regardless of twists and turns. So items in the inner lane of a turn exit it before those in the outer lane, since their speeds are equal and the inner lane is shorter than the outer one.		* '''Lanes'''. Belts have two parallel lanes, and the density and speed of each lane is constant and independent of the other one, regardless of twists and turns. So items in the inner lane of a turn exit it before those in the outer lane, since their speeds are equal and the inner lane is shorter than the outer one.
Line 23:		Line 23:
	! Factor \|\| Tiles/sec \|\| Single lane, items/sec \|\| Single lane, items/min \|\| Both lanes, items/sec \|\| Both lanes, items/min		! Factor \|\| Tiles/sec \|\| Single lane, items/sec \|\| Single lane, items/min \|\| Both lanes, items/sec \|\| Both lanes, items/min
	\|- align="center"		\|- align="center"
	\| align="left" \| {{Imagelink~~\|Transport belt~~\|Transport belt}} \|\| 1 \|\| 1.875 \|\| 7.5 \|\| 450 \|\| 15 \|\| 900		\| align="left" \| {{Imagelink\|Transport belt}} \|\| 1 \|\| 1.875 \|\| 7.5 \|\| 450 \|\| 15 \|\| 900
	\|- align="center"		\|- align="center"
	\| align="left" \| {{Imagelink~~\|Fast transport belt~~\|Fast transport belt}} \|\| 2 \|\| 3.75 \|\| 15 \|\| 900 \|\| 30 \|\| 1800		\| align="left" \| {{Imagelink\|Fast transport belt}} \|\| 2 \|\| 3.75 \|\| 15 \|\| 900 \|\| 30 \|\| 1800
	\|- align="center"		\|- align="center"
	\| align="left" \| {{Imagelink~~\|Express transport belt~~\|Express transport belt}} \|\| 3 \|\| 5.625 \|\| 22.5 \|\| 1350 \|\| 45 \|\| 2700		\| align="left" \| {{Imagelink\|Express transport belt}} \|\| 3 \|\| 5.625 \|\| 22.5 \|\| 1350 \|\| 45 \|\| 2700
	\|}		\|}

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:38, 5 March 2026
Line 66:		Line 66:

	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	! colspan=2 \| ~~What~~ \|\| ~~Number of positions~~		! colspan=2 \| Belt \|\| Item Speed (Positions per Tick)
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| ~~Basic [[transport~~ belt~~]] speed, per tick~~ \|\| align="center" \| 8		\| colspan=2 \| {{imagelink\|Transport belt}} \|\| align="center" \| 8
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| [[Fast transport belt~~]] speed, per tick~~ \|\| align="center" \| 16		\| colspan=2 \| {{imagelink\|Fast transport belt}} \|\| align="center" \| 16
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| [[Express transport belt~~]] speed, per tick~~ \|\| align="center" \| 24		\| colspan=2 \| {{imagelink\|Express transport belt}} \|\| align="center" \| 24
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| [[Turbo transport belt~~]]{{SA~~}} speed~~, per tick~~ \|\| align="center" \| 32		\| colspan=2 \| {{imagelink\|Turbo transport belt\|space-age=yes}} \|\| align="center" \| 32
			\|}

			{\| class="wikitable"
			! colspan=2 \| Measurement \|\| Length (Positions)
			\|-
			\| colspan=2 \| Distance between items on a saturated belt (of any speed) \|\| align="center" \| 64
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| Length of ~~an item on~~ a belt ~~(of any speed)~~ \|\| align="center" \| 64		\| colspan=2 \| Length of one lane of a straight belt \|\| align="center" \| 256
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| Length of ~~one~~ lane of a ~~straight belt tile and underground~~ belt \|\| align="center" \| ~~256~~		\| colspan=2 \| Length of inner lane of a belt turn \|\| align="center" \| 106
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| Length of ~~one~~ lane of ~~the splitter input line~~ \|\| align="center" \| ~~179 (128+51)<sup>1</sup>~~		\| colspan=2 \| Length of outer lane of a belt turn \|\| align="center" \| 295
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| Length of one lane of ~~the splitter output line~~ \|\| align="center" \| ~~128~~		\| colspan=2 \| Length of one lane of an underground belt \|\| align="center" \| 256
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| Length of ~~the inner~~ lane of a ~~turn~~ \|\| align="center" \| ~~106~~		\| colspan=2 \| Length of one lane of a splitter's input \|\| align="center" \| 179 (128+51)<sup>†</sup>
	\|-		\|-
	\| colspan=2 \| Length of ~~the outer~~ lane of a ~~turn~~ \|\| align="center" \| ~~295~~		\| colspan=2 \| Length of one lane of a splitter's output \|\| align="center" \| 128
	\|-		\|-
	\| style="border-right: 0px" \| ~~Length~~ travelled by an item sideloaded late on a straight belt<br> or underground exit		\| style="border-right: 0px" \| Distance travelled by an item sideloaded late on a straight belt<br> or an underground exit
	\| style="border-left: 0px" \| [[Image:Sideload-late.gif]] \|\| align="center" \| 68		\| style="border-left: 0px" \| [[Image:Sideload-late.gif]] \|\| align="center" \| 68
	\|-		\|-
	\| style="border-right: 0px" \| ~~Length~~ travelled by an item sideloaded early on a straight belt<br> or underground entrance		\| style="border-right: 0px" \| Distance travelled by an item sideloaded early on a straight belt<br> or an underground entrance
	\| style="border-left: 0px" \| [[Image:Sideload-early.gif]] \|\| align="center" \| 188		\| style="border-left: 0px" \| [[Image:Sideload-early.gif]] \|\| align="center" \| 188
	\|}		\|}
	<sup>~~(1)~~</sup>includes a buffer of 51 positions		<sup>†</sup> includes a buffer of 51 positions

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:41, 5 March 2026
Line 108:		Line 108:
	* [[Belt transport system]]		* [[Belt transport system]]
	* Jan 04 FFF #276: [https://www.factorio.com/blog/post/fff-276 Belt item spacing & Script rendering]		* Jan 04 FFF #276: [https://www.factorio.com/blog/post/fff-276 Belt item spacing & Script rendering]
			* Feb 23 FFF #231: [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-231 Belt compression & Crash log uploading]
	* Feb 03 FFF #176: [https://www.factorio.com/blog/post/fff-176 Belts optimization for 0.15]		* Feb 03 FFF #176: [https://www.factorio.com/blog/post/fff-176 Belts optimization for 0.15]
	* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=70055 Accurate belt segment measurements] (discusses 0.17)		* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=70055 Accurate belt segment measurements] (discusses 0.17)

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:03, 5 March 2026
Line 107:		Line 107:
	== See also ==		== See also ==
	* [[Belt transport system]]		* [[Belt transport system]]
			* FFF #287: [https://www.factorio.com/blog/post/fff-287 Just bugs again]
	* FFF #276: [https://www.factorio.com/blog/post/fff-276 Belt item spacing & Script rendering]		* FFF #276: [https://www.factorio.com/blog/post/fff-276 Belt item spacing & Script rendering]
	* FFF #231: [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-231 Belt compression & Crash log uploading]		* FFF #231: [https://factorio.com/blog/post/fff-231 Belt compression & Crash log uploading]