Trade Calculators Overview
Trading in Star Citizen without live market data is a fast way to lose millions in aUEC. Because commodity prices, supply limits, and demand fluctuate across systems—and because larger cargo vessels require massive upfront capital—using external trade calculators is essential.
Community tools like UEX Corp and SC Trade Tools act as real-time market browsers and route planners, allowing you to filter commodities by profit per SCU, stock availability, and ship compatibility before ever leaving port.
Tool Breakdown: UEX Corp vs. SC Trade Tools
UEX Corp (uexcorp.space)
- Primary Strength: Live market trends, commodity price tracking, and global data analytics.
- Best For: Checking price history, finding high-margin commodities, and tracking terminal stock levels.
- Data Source: Player submissions, API integration, and live crowdsourcing.
SC Trade Tools (sc-trade.tools)
- Primary Strength: Route optimization, ship-specific filtering, and custom trip planning.
- Best For: Finding the highest-paying trade loops tailored to your exact ship model and liquid capital.
- Data Source: Algorithmic route calculations based on database snapshots.
Step-By-Step: Planning a Profitable Run
1. Match Route to Your Ship & Capital
- Input Your Ship: On SC Trade Tools, select your specific vessel (e.g., Cutlass Black, C2 Hercules, Caterpillar, Hull A). The tool automatically caps maximum cargo loads to your physical SCU grid capacity.
- Set Capital Limit: Input your current liquid aUEC balance. Never spend 100% of your money on a single run. Always keep a buffer for fuel, claim expedites, or unexpected ship loss.
2. Evaluating Profit vs. Risk
Trade calculators evaluate routes based on total net profit vs. profit-per-minute:
- High-Margin / High-Risk (Low Volume): Medical Supplies, Vice, or Distilled Spirits yield high profit margins per SCU, but stock quantities at outposts are low, and locations are frequent piracy hotspots.
- Low-Margin / Low-Risk (High Volume): Bauxite, Titanium, Quartz, or Hydrogen yield low profit per SCU, but supply is vast and major trade lanes (e.g., station-to-TDD) are much safer for high-capacity haulers.
3. Avoiding Dead Trades & Zero Stock
Before flying to an outpost, check the Terminal Supply & Demand gauges on UEX Corp:
- Supply Refresh Rates: Outposts produce stock in ticks over time. If a route shows high profit but 0 stock, multiple traders have likely drained the terminal.
- Demand Bottlenecks: Planetary Trade & Development Division (TDD) terminals only purchase a set amount of commodity units per minute. Selling bulk low-tier commodities in a C2 Hercules can cause demand to max out, leaving you sitting at the terminal waiting for demand to refresh.
Hauling Workflow Loop
[1. Filter Route on Tool] ➔ [2. Verify Stock / Price] ➔ [3. Buy at Terminal] ➔ [4. Haul & Sell at TDD]
- Verify Live Prices: Double-check prices on UEX Corp right before buying; crowdsourced market data shifts as players hit hot routes.
- Fly & Load: Land at the origin station/outpost, buy your cargo via the terminal, and lock your SCU containers to your cargo grid.
- Avoid Quantum Camping: Direct straight-line quantum jumps between major trading hubs (e.g., Area 18 to Lorville) are prone to interdiction by hostile players. Drop out of quantum mid-jump, adjust your heading vector, and jump to your final destination from a fresh angle.
- Cash In: Store your ship at a major planetary landing zone (Area 18, Lorville, New Babbage, or Orison) and access the local TDD terminal to liquidate your cargo.
Essential Trading Keybinds & Links
• Open mobiGlas (Journal / Wallet): F1
• Market Databases: UEX Corp | SC Trade Tools