Containers and Stash Organization

What Is Stash Management, and Why Is It Important?

In Escape from Tarkov, even if you’re using the latest game version, your stash capacity is limited. Every item takes up space, and your stash fills up quickly. Effective stash management is key to maximizing usable space, setting up your loadout faster, and minimizing time wasted before a raid. In this guide, we’ll first explain stash sizes based on the game version and containers that expand your storage space, then cover the boxes you should acquire in order, the tagging system, and finally, which stashes you can bring with you on a raid.

Stash Sizes by Game Version

The Stash is 10 columns wide; the number of rows varies by version. Players with the Standard version can access a larger storage space by upgrading the Stash module in the Hideout (Levels 1–4). The values below represent the base version sizes:

In addition to these sizes, you can purchase additional stash space for a fee on the official Escape from Tarkov website.

Containers That Must Be Obtained First

The list below shows the containers that most experienced players try to purchase first. You can prioritize items on this list based on your needs. For example, if bullets take up the most space in your Stash, you might want to consider buying an ammo case first.

1. Lucky Scav Junk Box:

It only takes up 16 slots. It provides 14×14 = 196 slots of storage space; it’s used to store items needed for trading, hideot upgrades, and quests—equipment cannot be stored in it. This should be your first priority to avoid having to sell future items. It is one of the containers that provides the most storage space. You can purchase two of them as needed. It is generally purchased at a low level from the Therapist or obtained through trading. Prices and the items required for trading may vary depending on updates.

2. Ammunition Case:

It takes up only 4 slots. It provides 7×7 = 49 slots of storage. It allows you to keep all your ammo in one place and speeds up ammo selection before a raid. At lower levels, it can be traded for blue gunpowder from the Mechanic; at higher levels, it can be purchased for approximately 170,000 ₽. Prices and trade items are subject to change based on updates.

3. Medicine Case:

It takes up only 9 inventory slots. It provides 7×7 = 49 inventory slots and keeps all medical supplies (medicines, bandages, syringes) in one place. It significantly speeds up pre-raid preparation. It’s usually obtained through a trade with a Therapist. The required trade items may vary depending on updates.

4. Key Tool:

It takes up only 1 slot. It provides 4×4 = 16 slots and is used solely for storing keys. It collects your scattered keys in a single small box, saving space and reducing clutter. You can also easily use it by placing it inside your secure container when going on a raid.

5. Dog Tag Case:

It takes up only 1 slot. It provides 100 slots (10×10). It stores only dogtags. It helps you collect the dogtags of the PMCs you’ve killed before receiving various items (usually containers) through missions or trading. This is because these missions and trade items require a large number of dog tags. After a while, they can take up a lot of space in your stash. That’s why this is an item you should prioritize.

Advanced Containers Available Based on Your Needs

After setting up the five boxes above, you can move on to the next set of containers for more space and specialized storage.

1. Item Case: It occupies 16 slots. It provides 8×8 = 64 slots and is a general-purpose box; it’s ideal for small valuables, electronics, and miscellaneous loot. It is typically obtained through flea markets or trader trades. Conditions may vary depending on updates.

2. Weapon Case: It occupies 10 slots. It provides 50 slots (5×10), and is intended for weapons and large items. Stacking long weapons vertically saves a significant amount of space. It can be purchased from Flea or Trader. Terms may vary depending on updates.

3. Key Case: It occupies 6 slots itself. It provides 11×7 = 77 slots and stores only keys. It is a much larger key storage container than the Key Tool on the priority list. It holds 77 keys instead of 16. When your keys for map-specific doors and safes start to pile up, this container gathers them all into a single, organized box, solving the problem of a scattered pile of keys in your stash. It can be purchased from the Therapist at LL2 level for a specific amount of rubles or at the flea market.

4. Money Case: It takes up only 15 slots. It provides 14×14 = 196 slots, making it one of the most efficient item boxes in the game. It is obtained through a trade for a large number of items at the Therapist’s high loyalty level (LL4) and is not sold at the flea market. It is a long-term goal.

5. T H I C C Item Case: It takes up only 15 slots itself. It provides 14×14 = 196 slots, making it one of the most efficient item boxes in the game. It is obtained through trade for a large number of items at the Therapist’s high loyalty level (LL4) and is not sold at the flea market. It is a long-term goal.

6. T H I C C Weapon Case: It occupies 10 slots. It provides 6×15 = 90 slots, allowing you to store your entire weapon collection in a single case. It is a reward for Prapor’s Perfect Mediator mission and cannot be found on the flea market. It is valuable for players who collect weapons.

7. Grenade Case: It occupies 9 slots. It provides 8×8 = 64 slots and stores only grenades and explosives. If you enjoy farming bosses a lot, you’ll get a large number of grenades from them, and you can store them here. It also gives you quick access to grenades when you’re taking them on a raid.

8. MR.Holodilnick Thermal Bag: It occupies 9 slots. It provides 8×8 = 64 slots and stores only food and drink (provisions). It consolidates your food and water supplies in one place; it’s suitable for players who stockpile consumables for energy/water management and bartering. It’s an expensive container and is usually purchased at the flea market.

Tagging and Organization

You can right-click on each container and box and use the Tag option to assign a custom name and color (e.g., "5.56 Rounds," "Meds," "Barter," "Customs Keys"). You can customize labeled containers this way so you don’t waste time looking for the right box.

Some Chests You Can Take on a Raid with Your Pouch

You can bring certain chests with you on raids and use them functionally. For example, by bringing a tool key, you can carry any keys you want with you. The main chests you can bring with you are as follows:

• Injector Case: It takes up only 1 slot in your Stash and pouch, but it holds 3×3 = 9 injectors/stimulants (Propital, Morphine, SJ6, Mule, eTG-change). It doesn’t disappear upon death and can save your life during a raid.
• Key Tool: Takes up only 1 slot and holds 16 mechanical keys. It’s the lightest way to keep your raid keys safe.
• Documents Case: The pouch contains 2 slots, providing space for 16 items. It can hold maps, keys, keycards, wads of cash, and intelligence documents and logs you find during a raid.
• S I C C Organizational Pouch: Holds 2 items, providing 25 slots inside. It’s the most efficient option for keeping small valuables—such as keys, keycards, cash, and the dog tags of the PMCs you’ve taken down—safe during a raid.
• WZ Wallet (WillerZ Wallet): It takes up only 1 slot in Stash or your secure pouch, but provides space for 2x2 = 4 slots. It can only hold fiat currencies (Rubles, Dollars, Euros) and all types of Keycards (including colored cards). It does not accept mechanical keys. In the early stages, before S.I.C.C. or Docs Case have been unlocked, it’s a great alternative for securing valuable Keycards and cash you find on maps inside your pouch. It is also one of the publisher items that must be stored as “Found In Raid” for the “Collector” mission.

Note: You can also purchase the containers listed above at the flea market, depending on your level. You also have a very high chance of obtaining these items from Markrooms.