If you’ve ever been mid-starship upgrade only to realize you’re missing the last key component, you know how frustrating it is to hunt down rare resources out of nowhere. I hit this exact wall last year when I was upgrading my freighter’s warp drive, and spent three hours wandering random planets before I figured out how to get carbon nanotubes in No Man’s Sky without wasting half my play session. These tiny, high-strength components are used in almost every advanced tech in the game, from base defense systems to long-range hyperdrives, so having a steady stockpile will save you a ton of headaches down the line. This guide breaks down every reliable method, sorted by how far you are in the game, so you can pick the option that fits your playstyle best.
How to Get Carbon Nanotubes in No Man’s Sky: 3 Core Methods
There are three main ways to get your hands on carbon nanotubes, each with their own pros and cons depending on your progression level, resource stock, and playstyle. I’ve used all three at different points, and I mix them now to keep my inventory stocked without spending all my time grinding. Before you dive in, there are a few common mistakes most players make when first hunting for these components that you can skip right over:
- Wasting condensed carbon on unnecessary craftables before you stock up on nanotubes for your first starship upgrade
- Traveling to high-risk nanotube farming planets without upgrading your hazard protection to at least level 3
- Overpaying for nanotubes at general trading systems instead of looking for manufacturing-focused systems first
- Forgetting to set up automated extractors on deposits you find, leading to unnecessary repeat trips to harsh planets
You don’t need any rare blueprints to access at least one of these methods, even if you’re only a few hours into your first playthrough. The only thing you’ll need for the most accessible option is a basic refiner and access to common planetary resources.
Crafting Carbon Nanotubes: Fastest Method for Early Game Players
Crafting is by far the easiest way to get carbon nanotubes when you’re just starting out, and it’s the first method you’ll unlock after you get your construction research unit. The recipe only requires 50 condensed carbon and 10 ferrite dust, two resources you can find on almost every starter planet. You don't need to visit dangerous planets to craft them, which is a huge win for new players still learning the game's mechanics.
To get condensed carbon, all you need to do is put regular carbon into a portable refiner. You’ll get one unit of condensed carbon for every two units of regular carbon, so you’ll need 100 total regular carbon to make the 50 you need for a single nanotube. Regular carbon is everywhere: you can harvest it from trees, grass, small plants, and even some organic rock formations with your basic multitool. Ferrite dust is even easier to find: just mine any grey or brown rock you see on the surface of your starting planet.
The only downside to crafting is that it can get tedious if you need hundreds of nanotubes for a big base build or freighter upgrade. It uses up a lot of condensed carbon, which you might also need for life support refills, fuel, or other craftables. I still craft small batches when I’m running low on a handful of nanotubes for a quick upgrade, but I switch to other methods when I need bulk stock.
Farming Carbon Nanotubes on High-Tech Planets for Mass Stockpiles
Once you unlock a hyperdrive and can travel to different star systems, farming carbon nanotubes directly from planetary deposits becomes the most cost-effective method for building large stockpiles. Planets marked as having "advanced organic materials" in their system description often have wild deposits of carbon nanotubes that you can mine with your multitool, just like you would mine copper or gold.
These deposits are usually found on planets with either high-tech manufacturing outposts or dense, exotic vegetation. Most of these planets have extreme weather or high sentinel activity, so make sure you upgrade your hazard protection and carry a decent multitool weapon before you go looking. I learned this the hard way on my first farming trip, when I got caught in a radioactive storm 10 minutes from my ship and lost half my inventory because I didn’t upgrade my protection first.
If you find a high-yield deposit, build a small base nearby and set up an automated mineral extractor. Automated extractors can produce up to 200 carbon nanotubes per in-game day if placed on a high-yield deposit, so you can leave and come back every few hours to collect hundreds of units without any extra grinding. You will need to wire the extractor to a power source, either solar panels or a biofuel reactor, but that’s a small one-time cost for unlimited passive nanotubes. You can also get carbon nanotubes as a reward for completing sentinel pillar missions, which also give you rare upgrade modules for your multitool, so it’s worth stopping by any sentinel pillars you find on your farming trips.
Trading for Carbon Nanotubes: Best Spots to Buy Cheap and Sell Extra
If you have a lot of extra units saved up, or you just don’t feel like grinding resources, trading is the fastest way to get as many carbon nanotubes as you need instantly. The key to getting a good deal is knowing which systems to shop in, because prices can vary by up to 40% depending on the system’s primary economy. Space stations in manufacturing-focused systems sell carbon nanotubes for 20-30% less than other systems, so always check those first if you’re looking to buy in bulk.
You can also find carbon nanotubes for sale at NPC trading posts on planetary surfaces, which often have even better prices than space stations because they don’t add the standard station markup. I’ve found nanotubes for as little as 1,200 units each at remote planetary outposts, compared to 1,800 units at general economy space stations. If you have extra nanotubes from your farm, you can sell them for a 40% markup in scientific systems, which is an easy way to make extra units if you have a surplus.
You can also find free carbon nanotubes in loot crates on derelict freighters, or as rewards for completing merchant delivery missions. I usually pick up 10-20 extra nanotubes every time I clear a derelict freighter, which adds up over time if you run those missions regularly. Just make sure you have a good hazard suit and weapon before you board a derelict freighter, because they’re full of hostile entities that can take you out fast if you’re unprepared.
At the end of the day, the best method to get carbon nanotubes in No Man’s Sky depends entirely on where you are in the game. New players will get the most value out of crafting them with common resources, while mid and late game players can set up automated farms or trade for bulk stockpiles to support big build projects. I keep 500 nanotubes in my inventory at all times now, and I haven’t run out mid-upgrade since I started using these methods. Play around with each option to see what fits your playstyle, and you’ll never be stuck waiting for resources again when you’re ready to build your dream base or upgrade to a faster starship.
