Star Citizen Cargo Profit Calculator
Use this tool to estimate your aUEC profit per run, profit per hour, and how many trips you need to hit your target.
Why use a Star Citizen calculator?
If you trade or haul cargo in Star Citizen, small price differences can make or break your run. A route that looks good at first glance may underperform once you include fuel, landing delays, and cargo fill percentage. A calculator helps you answer the real question: how much am I actually making per hour?
This page gives you a practical cargo calculator for Star Citizen that is focused on outcomes you care about:
- Net profit per run (after costs)
- Profit per hour based on your real round-trip time
- Break-even sell price
- How many runs to hit your aUEC goal
How the calculator works
Core inputs
The calculator takes your ship capacity in SCU, how full you can realistically load, commodity buy/sell price, your estimated operational costs, and trip duration.
Core outputs
- Effective Cargo: Capacity × Fill %
- Gross Revenue: Effective Cargo × Sell Price
- Total Cost: (Effective Cargo × Buy Price) + Operating Cost
- Net Profit: Gross Revenue − Total Cost
- Profit per Hour: Net Profit × (60 / Round-Trip Minutes)
Because prices and terminal availability can change between patches, this approach is intentionally flexible: enter current numbers and calculate instantly.
How to use this calculator efficiently
1) Start with realistic fill percentage
Many pilots assume 100% cargo fill every run. In reality, supply caps and competition often mean partial loads. Set 70–90% if you are running in crowded systems.
2) Include all run costs
Operating cost should include fuel, minor repairs, and a small cushion for service fees. If you fly risky routes, increase this value to reflect claim and recovery overhead over time.
3) Measure real round-trip time
Use actual in-game timing from liftoff to selling the load and returning. A route with lower margin but shorter travel can still win on aUEC/hour.
4) Compare two route ideas back-to-back
Change only one variable set at a time (buy/sell pair + time) and compare output. This is the fastest way to spot better cargo loops.
Example scenario
Suppose you run a medium freighter with 96 SCU. You buy at 450 aUEC/SCU, sell at 585 aUEC/SCU, and spend roughly 2,500 aUEC on operating costs. If your average round trip is 22 minutes:
- You generate healthy net margin per run
- You can estimate if your route reaches your desired million-aUEC target in a reasonable session
- You can quickly decide if a faster but lower-price route is better overall
This is exactly where a Star Citizen trade calculator shines: it turns “feels profitable” into clear numbers.
Advanced route optimization tips
Prioritize stability over peak margin
A consistent, medium-margin route usually outperforms a volatile high-margin route with frequent stock issues.
Track your own historical runs
Create a simple note with route, elapsed minutes, and net result. Your personal historical average is better than any static chart.
Plan for downtime
Server issues, pad congestion, and interdictions are part of the loop. Build a conservative estimate by adding 10–20% to route time when planning long sessions.
Protect your bankroll
Do not spend all your liquidity on cargo unless you are comfortable with the risk. Keep enough reserve aUEC for recovery and lower-stress reruns.
Common mistakes this calculator helps avoid
- Ignoring operating costs and overestimating profit
- Assuming perfect cargo fill in every cycle
- Picking routes by spread instead of hourly efficiency
- Chasing “best route” lists without adapting to current server conditions
Frequently asked questions
Is this a Star Citizen mining calculator too?
Not directly. This version is for cargo/trade loops. You can still adapt it by treating your mined yield as “effective cargo” and your refining/logistics as operating costs.
Why is my profit negative?
Usually one of three reasons: low sell price, high operating cost, or too much time per run. Increase sell spread, reduce downtime, or switch to a tighter route.
What is the best ship size for this calculator?
Any ship works. Just enter your SCU capacity and realistic fill rate. This tool is equally useful for starter haulers and large freight platforms.
Final thoughts
In Star Citizen, smart trading is less about perfect predictions and more about disciplined iteration. Run the numbers, test routes, track results, and adjust quickly. A simple calculator can be the difference between random grinding and consistent progression.