If you’ve ever tried to build a new base atmospheric regulator, upgrade your exosuit’s frozen planet hazard protection, or refine high-end thermoplastic materials, you’ve probably hit the annoying wall of running out of ammonia mid-project. I’ve spent hours bumbling around the wrong planet types hunting for it before I nailed down the most efficient ways to gather it, so I put this guide together to save you that same frustration. If you’re wondering how to get ammonia in No Man’s Sky, we’ll cover every reliable method, from casual scavenging to fully automated farming, so you never run low when you need it most.
What You Need to Know Before Hunting for Ammonia
Ammonia is a mid-tier resource that’s far more useful than many new players realize. It’s a core ingredient for cryogenic crafting recipes, exosuit hazard protection upgrades, base life support systems, and even some advanced starship components. It’s not technically a rare resource, but it only spawns on very specific planet biomes, so you can waste hours looking for it if you don’t know where to check first.
I once spent 20 minutes running around a sun-scorched desert planet scanning every rock I saw, convinced I just wasn’t looking hard enough, before I remembered ammonia never spawns on that biome type. Save yourself that mistake by checking your target planet’s details first before you land. It’s also worth noting that you don’t need huge amounts of it early on, but stockpiling a few hundred units before you start building your first permanent base will save you a lot of backtracking later.
For veteran players, ammonia is also a great trade resource if you farm it in bulk. Many settlement NPCs will pay a premium for it, especially if they’re building atmospheric filtration systems for their towns, so a steady supply can also be a nice side income if you’re looking to earn extra units.
How to Get Ammonia in No Man’s Sky: 3 Fast, Tested Methods
There’s no single “best” way to gather ammonia, since the right method depends on how much you need, how much time you want to invest, and what stage of the game you’re in. I’ve used all three of these methods at different points in my playthrough, and all work reliably depending on your needs:
- Surface scavenging on frozen or toxic planets: Best for new players who need 50-100 units quickly and don’t want to set up permanent infrastructure
- Automated extractor farming: Ideal for veteran players who need a steady, large supply for crafting, building, or trading long-term
- Refining and trade alternatives: Perfect for when you’re stuck on the wrong biome and need ammonia immediately for a critical repair or upgrade
Scavenging is the most accessible method for new players, as you don’t need any special equipment beyond your terrain manipulator and scanner. Once you land on a frozen or toxic planet, switch your scanner to resource mode, and look for the bright blue ammonia markers dotted across the landscape. You’ll usually find it in large, clustered deposits, so you can grab 100 units in 10 minutes or less if you find a good spawn area. Just make sure you have appropriate hazard protection for the planet you’re exploring, as both frozen and toxic biomes will drain your exosuit’s life support fast if you’re not prepared.
Step-by-Step Guide to Building an Ammonia Extraction Farm
If you find yourself needing ammonia regularly, building a permanent extraction farm is the most low-effort way to keep a steady stockpile. It takes a little bit of upfront work, but once it’s set up, it will generate ammonia for you even when you’re off exploring other star systems, so you never have to go hunting for it again.
First, scan planets in nearby systems until you find one with high ammonia concentration listed in the planet’s overview details when you warp in. You want a concentration level of at least 40% to make the farm worth your time, but an S-class hotspot on a 60%+ concentration planet will give you the highest possible yield. Once you land, switch your terrain manipulator to hotspot scan mode, and walk around until you pick up an ammonia hotspot signal. Follow the signal until you reach the center of the hotspot, then claim the area with a base computer.
Next, place your extractors directly on the center of the hotspot, then connect them to supply depots using supply pipes. The number of extractors and depots you need depends on how much ammonia you want to store: I usually place 3 extractors on an S-class hotspot connected to 4 supply depots, which gives me roughly 2500 units of ammonia every 2 hours of playtime. You’ll also need to power the entire setup: solar panels and batteries work great for most planets, but if you’re on a world with long dark cycles, a biofuel reactor or electromagnetic generator will be more reliable. Add a teleporter to the base, and you can pop back any time to collect your stock without having to warp across the galaxy.
I recommend setting up your farm as early as you unlock the base building tech for extractors. It’s a small investment that pays off massively later, especially when you’re working on big base builds or bulk crafting upgrades for your fleet of starships.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Gathering Ammonia
Even with a clear plan, it’s easy to make small mistakes that waste your time when you’re gathering ammonia. I’ve made all of these at least once, so I’m passing on the tips to help you skip the frustration:
First, don’t waste time scanning planets that can’t spawn ammonia. It only appears on frozen ice planets, toxic gas planets, and very rarely on dead planets with specific atmospheric conditions. Skip lush, desert, volcanic, and barren worlds entirely if you’re specifically hunting for ammonia, as they never have natural spawns.
Second, don’t settle for a low-quality hotspot. A C-class hotspot will give you less than a third of the output of an S-class hotspot, so spend 10 extra minutes scanning around the planet to find a higher quality spot instead of building on the first one you find. The extra yield is well worth the small time investment.
Third, always test your power setup for a full day-night cycle before you leave your extraction farm. I once built an entire farm on a frozen planet with 20-minute long nights, and only added enough batteries to last 10 minutes of darkness. When I came back a few days later, the entire system had shut down hours after I left, and I had zero ammonia stored. Add extra batteries, or use a non-solar power source if the planet has long dark periods.
Fourth, don’t overlook refining options if you’re in a pinch. You can craft ammonia by combining di-hydrogen and nitrogen in a medium or large refiner, if you have those resources on hand. That’s a lifesaver if you’re mid-expedition and your hazard protection breaks, and you don’t have time to warp to a different planet to scavenge. You can also sometimes buy ammonia from space station traders or settlement merchants, though it’s usually fairly expensive, so only use that option if you’re really desperate.
At the end of the day, figuring out how to get ammonia in No Man’s Sky doesn’t have to be a frustrating chore. Pick the method that fits your playstyle: scavenge if you just need a small amount right now, build a farm if you want a steady long-term supply, or refine it if you’re stuck somewhere without access to the right biome. I’ve used all three methods at different points, and they all work reliably as long as you follow the tips we covered. You’ll never find yourself stuck waiting for ammonia to finish that big base build or craft that new upgrade ever again.
