Rust upkeep calculator
Count the pieces in your base. You get what the Tool Cupboard needs every 24 hours to stop decay.
How upkeep is calculated
Each building block costs a share of its build price per day. The first 15 blocks pay 10%, the next 50 pay 15%, the next 125 pay 20% and everything after that 33.3%, so the average rate creeps up as the base grows. Doors pay the same average rate on their main material.
High external walls and gates pay a flat 20% since the August 2026 Power Trip update. Since the September 2026 Breach and Clear update a base with more than 4 players pays extra: +2% for each of players 5 to 10 and +4% for every player after that, up to +300%.
Values checked against Rust Labs on , current for the Livestock update.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my upkeep percentage go up as I build?
Upkeep is charged in brackets. The first 15 building blocks pay 10% of their build cost per day, the next 50 pay 15%, the next 125 pay 20% and anything above 190 blocks pays 33.3%. The rate you see on the TC is the average over all blocks.
Do more players on the TC increase upkeep?
Yes, since September 2026. Up to 4 players pay nothing extra. Players 5 to 10 add 2% each and every player after that adds 4%, capped at +300%.
How long until an unpaid base decays?
Once the TC runs dry each tier rots on its own timer: twig in about 1 hour, wood 3, stone 5, sheet metal 8 and armored 12.
Related guides
- Gameplay Rust Upkeep and Decay Guide, Tool Cupboard Costs Explained How Rust upkeep works in the Tool Cupboard, how cost scales with base size and group size, decay times for every building tier and how to cut your upkeep.
- Gameplay Rust Raiding Guide, Explosives, Sulfur Costs and Raid Paths Rust raiding guide covering hard side vs soft side, which explosives give the best sulfur value per wall and door, eco raiding, raid paths and counters.