Rust Decay Times
Complete reference for structure and deployable decay in Rust. Know exactly how long your base and items will last without upkeep.
Important: Outside TC vs Inside TC
The decay times listed below apply when items are outside Tool Cupboard range or when the TC has run out of upkeep materials. Items placed inside TC range with funded upkeep do NOT decay at all. As long as your TC has the required resources stocked, all structures and deployables within its radius are fully protected from decay indefinitely.
Decay Timeline (without TC)
| Item | Category | HP | Decay Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twig | Structure | 10 | 1 hour | - |
| Wood | Structure | 250 | 3 hours | - |
| Stone | Structure | 500 | 5 hours | - |
| Metal | Structure | 1,000 | 8 hours | - |
| Armored | Structure | 2,000 | 12 hours | - |
| Half Wall | Structure | 1,000 | Varies by tier | Same as material tier |
| Triangle Foundation | Structure | 1,000 | Varies by tier | Same as material tier |
| Floor Frame | Structure | 1,000 | Varies by tier | Same as material tier |
| Window Frame | Structure | 1,000 | Varies by tier | Same as material tier |
| Embrasure | Structure | 1,000 | Varies by tier | Same as material tier |
| Wooden Door | Door | 200 | 3 hours | - |
| Sheet Metal Door | Door | 250 | 8 hours | - |
| Armored Door | Door | 800 | 12 hours | - |
| Garage Door | Door | 600 | 8 hours | - |
| Ladder Hatch | Door | 250 | 8 hours | - |
| Prison Cell Gate | Door | 250 | 8 hours | - |
| Chainlink Fence | Door | 250 | 8 hours | - |
| High External Stone Wall | Deployable | 500 | 5 hours | - |
| High External Wood Wall | Deployable | 250 | 3 hours | - |
| Tool Cupboard | Deployable | 200 | 24 hours | Inside TC range |
| Sleeping Bag | Deployable | 200 | 8 hours | Outside TC |
| Small Stash | Deployable | 50 | 3 days | - |
| Large Box | Deployable | 150 | 8 hours | Outside TC |
| Campfire | Deployable | 100 | 6 hours | Outside TC |
| Furnace | Deployable | 500 | 8 hours | Outside TC |
| Large Furnace | Deployable | 1,200 | 24 hours | - |
| Workbench | Deployable | 500 | 8 hours | Outside TC |
| Vending Machine | Deployable | 150 | 48 hours | - |
| Repair Bench | Deployable | 250 | 8 hours | Outside TC |
| Small Oil Refinery | Deployable | 500 | 8 hours | - |
| Mining Quarry | Deployable | 1,000 | 24 hours | - |
| Auto Turret | Deployable | 1,000 | 12 hours | Outside TC |
| SAM Site | Deployable | 1,000 | 12 hours | Outside TC |
| Windmill | Deployable | 250 | 24 hours | - |
| Solar Panel | Deployable | 100 | 24 hours | - |
Tool Cupboard (TC) Protection
A Tool Cupboard prevents decay for all building blocks and deployables within its radius (approximately a 50m sphere from its position). You must keep the TC stocked with appropriate upkeep materials (wood, stone, metal frags, HQM depending on your building tier). If upkeep runs out, structures will begin decaying at their normal rates. Higher-tier buildings require more resources for upkeep.
Understanding Decay in Rust
Decay in Rust is the gradual deterioration of structures and deployables over time when they are not protected by a Tool Cupboard with adequate upkeep materials. Every building piece and placeable item has a specific decay timer that begins counting down once the TC runs out of resources or if the item is placed outside TC range.
Decay damage is applied in ticks over the full decay duration. A wood wall with 250 HP and a 3-hour decay time will lose approximately 83 HP per hour until it is destroyed. This means you have time to resupply your TC before complete destruction occurs.
Decay Prevention Tips
Always ensure your TC is stocked with at least 24 hours of upkeep materials before logging off. Use the TC interface to check the estimated time until decay begins. Minimize the use of high-tier materials in large builds to reduce upkeep costs. Consider using honeycomb walls strategically rather than upgrading everything to armored.
Special Decay Rules
Small stashes have an exceptionally long decay time of 3 days (72 hours) regardless of TC proximity. Items inside containers will be destroyed when the container decays. Sleeping bags placed outside TC range will decay in 8 hours, so always place them within your building privilege area for safety.