Resources and Materials

Resources and materials are the raw ingredients gathered from the world of 7 Days to Die and used in every crafting recipe, from basic tools to reinforced bases. Understanding where to find them and how they refine into finished goods is fundamental to survival.

Basic Gathered Resources

• Wood — Harvested from trees and wooden objects, used for early tools, building, and fuel.
• Stone / Small Stones — Mined from boulders and terrain, used for stone tools, cement, and early construction.
• Plant Fibers — Gathered from grass and plants, used for cloth, early clothing, and basic crafting.
• Clay and Sand — Dug from the ground, used in the Forge and for concrete and glass production.

Ores and Metals

• Iron Ore — Mined and smelted in the Forge into forged iron, the backbone of tools, weapons, and reinforced blocks.
• Coal — Used as Forge fuel and as a key ingredient in gunpowder.
• Potassium Nitrate — Refined into nitrate powder for gunpowder and ammunition.
• Lead, Brass, and Oil Shale — Provide bullet materials, casings, and fuel; brass often comes from scrapping salvaged items.

Refined and Crafted Materials

Raw resources become intermediate materials at workstations:

• Forged Iron and Steel — Smelted metals used in advanced gear and building.
• Gunpowder — Made from coal and nitrate for ammunition and explosives.
• Cement and Concrete — Produced in the Cement Mixer for durable structures.
• Mechanical and Electrical Parts — Salvaged from vehicles and appliances for high-tier crafting.

Salvaging and Looting

Beyond mining and harvesting, salvaging with a wrench or ratchet breaks down cars, machinery, and appliances into parts, springs, and metal. Looting containers and points of interest yields ammunition, schematics, and rare components you cannot easily gather in the wild.

Practical Tips

• Establish reliable mining spots for iron, coal, and nitrate early.
• Scrap unwanted items and vehicles to build a reserve of metal and mechanical parts.
• Store materials in organized containers near your workstations for efficient crafting.
• Prioritize the resources that feed your most-used recipes, such as ammunition or building supplies.

Updates Needed

This page is community-maintained and may be incomplete or out of date. Spotted something wrong, or know a detail we missed? Sign in and hit Edit to propose changes — approved edits go live and help every survivor who reads this after you. Fresh tips, updated numbers for the latest patch, and clearer step-by-step guides are always welcome.