Your stash in Escape from Tarkov is important, it’s where you store every piece of gear, from weapons and armor to valuable loot gathered during raids. Players starting with the Standard Edition get a 10×30 grid of storage cells, which quickly becomes full as you earn essential items.
When inventory space runs tight, upgrading your stash becomes a priority. This guide breaks down the exact requirements and methods to upgrade your storage capacity in Escape from Tarkov, taking you through each upgrade level and what you’ll need to achieve them.
If you want to improve at Escape From Tarkov and dominate every game, StealthCore is your go-to resource. With their tips and tricks, you’ll be able to extract from each raid easily.

Stash Upgrades
Expanding your stash in Tarkov is only done through two methods. The first is through in-game progression, where you’ll need to meet specific requirements and invest resources to upgrade your Hideout’s stash level. While this method is free, it demands significant time and effort.
The second option is straightforward but costs real money – purchasing one of the premium editions of Escape from Tarkov or directly purchasing stash upgrades. These editions come with pre-upgraded stash sizes, letting you skip the grind entirely.
Let’s examine both methods and help you choose the right path for your playstyle and budget.
Free Upgrades
Starting from level 1 (10×30 cells), upgrading your stash through the Hideout requires significant investment in both resources and time. Here’s what you need for each upgrade:
Stash Level 2 (10×38 cells) Construction time is 24 hours. You’ll need Level 1 Vents and 2,500,000 Roubles. Required resources:
- 4 × WD-40 100ml
- 1 × Hand Drill
- 5 × Packs of Nails
- 10 × Packs of Screws
Stash Level 3 (10×48 cells) This upgrade takes 48 hours to complete and requires Level 2 Vents, Level 2 Heating, Prapor Loyalty Level 3, Ragman Loyalty Level 3, and 8,500,000 Roubles. Resources needed:
- 7 × Packs of Nails
- 15 × Packs of Screws
- 2 × Electric Drills
Stash Level 4 (10×68 cells) The final upgrade takes 96 hours. You’ll need Level 3 Generator, Level 3 Workbench, Level 3 Heating, Level 2 Intelligence Center, Peacekeeper Loyalty Level 4, Ragman Loyalty Level 4, and 200,000 Euros. Required resources:
- 10 × Screw Nuts
- 10 × Bolts
- 2 × Ratchet Wrenches
- 5 × Shustrilo Sealing Foam
Premium Upgrades
Premium stash upgrades are available through two methods. The first is purchasing a higher edition of Escape from Tarkov. The Left Behind Edition ($82) provides 10×40 cells, Prepare for Escape Edition ($110) offers 10×50 cells, and the Unheard Edition ($250) gives you 10×72 cells.
The second option lets you buy additional stash lines individually at $3 per line, with a range of 2 to 28 lines available. These purchases are permanent and persist through character wipes, making them a long-term investment. The expansion activates instantly after purchase, regardless of your current game edition.
This option gives you precise control over your storage space without committing to a full game edition upgrade. You can start small and add more lines as needed, though the total cost can add up if you purchase many lines.
Tips & Tricks to Optimize Your Stash
Successful raids quickly fill your stash. Although some players may be using Tarkov Cheats to extract from more raids, it’s worth mentioning that this is against the game’s terms of service and any use of third-party tools will lead to permanent suspensions. Storage containers are essential for efficient organization.
The Lucky Scav Junk Box exemplifies smart storage – it takes up 16 slots but holds 196 slots worth of barter items. The Items Case provides 64 slots of storage while using only 16 slots, while the Weapon Case transforms 15 slots into 50 slots of weapon storage. Magazine Cases turn 6 slots into space for 30 magazines, and Ammo Cases convert 4 slots into storage for 260 ammo stacks.
Medicine Cases offer 48 slots of medical storage in just 6 slots. For maximum efficiency, THICC Cases provide the best space conversion – THICC Items Cases offer 196 slots in 25 spaces, while THICC Weapons Cases give 90 weapon slots in 20 spaces.
Keep valuable items in secure containers and sell or trade items you won’t use soon. Breaking down weapons saves significant space – remove magazines, pistol grips, and stocks to reduce their footprint. Many quest items can be sold after completion, so don’t keep them unnecessarily.
Final Words
To sum up, Upgrading your Tarkov stash is crucial for long-term progression. Whether you choose the free route through Hideout upgrades or invest real money in premium options, expanded storage space lets you store more loot and gear. Combine your upgraded stash with smart container usage to maximize efficiency and focus on the items that matter most to your raids.