ONI Geyser Calculator
Analyze and optimize the output of any geyser, vent, or volcano in Oxygen Not Included.
Geyser Analysis
Average Sustained Output
What is an ONI Calculator?
An **oni calculator**, specifically in the context of the game Oxygen Not Included, is a tool designed to solve the complex resource management puzzles the game presents. Geysers, vents, and volcanoes are primary sources of renewable resources, but their output is not constant. They cycle between periods of activity and dormancy, and within their active periods, they erupt intermittently. This makes it difficult to plan for long-term colony survival. This **oni calculator** for geysers allows you to input the stats of any geyser you find and instantly see its true average output over its entire lifecycle.
Understanding this average output is critical for designing sustainable power plants, oxygen production facilities, and water purification systems. Without an accurate **oni calculator**, a player might build infrastructure based on a geyser’s peak output, only to have the system fail when the geyser goes dormant.
The ONI Geyser Formula and Explanation
The core of this oni calculator is a formula that averages out the inconsistent output of a geyser into a single, reliable number. The formula is:
Average Output = Peak Output * (Eruption Duration / Eruption Period) * (Active Duration / Total Active Period)
This calculation gives you the amount of resource you can expect to get per second if you were to store and buffer the output over many, many cycles. Check out our guide on resource management strategies for more.
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Output | The rate of emission during an eruption. | g/s (grams per second) | 100 – 8000+ |
| Eruption Duration | The length of a single eruption. | s (seconds) | 5 – 500 |
| Eruption Period | The time between the start of two consecutive eruptions. | s (seconds) | 100 – 1200 |
| Active Duration | How many cycles the geyser is active for. | cycles | 10 – 200 |
| Total Active Period | The length of one full active/dormant cycle. | cycles | 20 – 250 |
Practical Examples
Example 1: Cool Steam Vent
A player finds a Cool Steam Vent and analyzes it. This is a common early-game water source.
- Inputs:
- Peak Output: 3000 g/s
- Eruption Duration: 41 s
- Eruption Period: 173 s
- Active Duration: 81.3 cycles
- Total Active Period: 124.1 cycles
- Results from the oni calculator:
- Average Output: 463.6 g/s of Steam (which becomes Water)
- Electrolyzers Supported: 0.46 (can’t fully support one continuously)
Example 2: Natural Gas Geyser
Later, the player finds a Natural Gas Geyser, essential for power generation.
- Inputs:
- Peak Output: 170 g/s
- Eruption Duration: 108 s
- Eruption Period: 480 s
- Active Duration: 96 cycles
- Total Active Period: 110 cycles
- Results from the oni calculator:
- Average Output: 33.3 g/s of Natural Gas
- Gas Generators Supported: 0.37 (meaning you’d need three such geysers to run one generator continuously, or have significant storage). Learn more in our power plant optimization guide.
How to Use This ONI Calculator
Using this tool is straightforward and designed to give you quick, actionable data for your colony.
- Analyze the Geyser: First, have a Duplicant with the “Field Research” skill analyze the geyser in-game. This reveals its properties.
- Enter the Data: Once analyzed, click on the geyser to see its information panel. Enter the five key values (Output Rate, Eruption Duration/Period, Active Duration/Period) into the corresponding fields in the **oni calculator** above.
- Review the Results: The calculator will automatically update, showing you the crucial “Average Sustained Output.” This is the number you should use for all your long-term planning.
- Interpret the Support Values: The “Electrolyzers Supported” and “Gas Generators Supported” values tell you how many of these key buildings can be run continuously from this single geyser. A value below 1.0 means you’ll need buffering (reservoirs) to run the building full-time, or that you simply cannot.
Key Factors That Affect Geyser Output
- Dormancy: This is the single biggest factor. A geyser with amazing peak output can be useless if it’s dormant 90% of the time. This is why the **oni calculator** is so essential.
- State of Matter: The output (gas, liquid, solid) determines the type of pump and pipes you need.
- Temperature: A volcano’s high temperature is both a source of power (steam turbines) and a major engineering challenge. A Cool Slush Geyser can be a blessing for cooling your base. Our base cooling guide has more info.
- Element Type: A Water geyser is immediately useful, while a Chlorine Gas Vent has more niche applications.
- Overpressurization: If the pressure around a geyser’s output tiles is too high, it will stop erupting, even during its active eruption window. Proper chamber design is crucial.
- Geyser Location: A geyser in an inconvenient location might be more trouble to tame than it’s worth. Planning your colony layout is key.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What’s the difference between Eruption Period and Active Period?
The Eruption Period describes the short cycle of eruption and rest within the Active Period. The Active Period describes the much longer cycle of being active versus being completely dormant for many cycles.
Why is my average output so much lower than the peak output?
Because the geyser is not erupting 100% of the time. The **oni calculator** averages the high output during eruptions with the zero output during idle and dormant phases.
Can this oni calculator be used for volcanoes?
Yes. Volcanoes follow the same mechanics but output molten metals at very high temperatures. The principles and the formula are identical.
What does a “Supported” value of 0.5 mean?
It means the geyser’s average output can supply half the resources needed to run that building continuously. You could run the building 50% of the time, or store the resource in reservoirs to run it 100% of the time for a shorter duration.
How accurate is this calculator?
This calculator is as accurate as the data you provide from the game. It uses the exact formula to determine the long-term average output.
Do I need to account for unit conversion?
No, all calculations are done in the game’s standard units (grams, seconds, cycles). The calculator provides output in g/s and kg/cycle for your convenience.
Why did my geyser stop working?
It is likely either over-pressurized or has entered its dormancy period. Check the pressure in the room and the geyser’s status panel.
How do I find geysers?
Geysers are typically found behind “Neutronium” tiles at the top and bottom of the map, often indicated by a block of 4 specific tiles. Exploring with your camera zoomed out can help you spot these patterns. For advanced searching, you might use a map seed analyzer.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
If you found this **oni calculator** helpful, you might also be interested in our other Oxygen Not Included tools and guides:
- Food Consumption Calculator – Plan your colony’s diet and farm size.
- Power Plant Optimization – A deep dive into managing your power grid.
- Advanced Base Cooling Guide – Master the art of thermodynamics.
- Colony Layout Planner – Design efficient and sustainable bases from the start.
- Resource Management Strategies – Learn about buffering and infinite storage.
- Map Seed Analyzer – Find the perfect starting asteroid for your playstyle.