Stellaris Research Cost Comparison (Tech Points)
Compare 15 Stellaris base research costs, from Scientific Method 500 to Gravitational Waves 12000. Paradox physics points with tier notes in one table.
Visual comparison
All values
Click any row to load it as Entry A.
| Name | Value | Context | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific Method Cheapest here at 500. Opens Research Labs. | 500 research | Computing tier 0, labs | Paradox Stellaris Wiki Physics research table: Scientific Method Cost 500 |
| Administrative AI 1,000. Plus 5 percent research speed with upkeep. | 1,000 research | Computing tier 1, AI | Paradox Stellaris Wiki Physics research table: Administrative AI Cost 1000 |
| Zero-G Laboratories 1,000. Plus 10 percent station output. | 1,000 research | Voidcraft tier 1, stations | Paradox Stellaris Wiki Physics research table: Zero-G Laboratories Cost 1000 |
| Automated Exploration Protocols 1,250. Plus 25 percent survey speed. | 1,250 research | Computing tier 1, survey | Paradox Stellaris Wiki Physics research table: Automated Exploration Protocols Cost 1250 |
| Quantum Computing 1,500. Opens Field Dynamics Center. | 1,500 research | Computing tier 1, physics lab | Paradox Stellaris Wiki Physics research table: Quantum Computing Cost 1500 |
| Exotic Materials Labs 1,500. Needs Scientific Method plus exotic gases. | 1,500 research | Computing tier 1, labs | Paradox Stellaris Wiki Physics research table: Exotic Materials Labs Cost 1500 |
| Specialized Combat Computers 1,500. Opens basic combat roles. | 1,500 research | Computing tier 1, combat | Paradox Stellaris Wiki Physics research table: Specialized Combat Computers Cost 1500 |
| Gravitic Sensors 2,000. Opens gravitic sensors plus listening post. | 2,000 research | Computing tier 2, sensors | Paradox Stellaris Wiki Physics research table: Gravitic Sensors Cost 2000 |
| Quantum Probes 2,000. Plus 10 percent station output. | 2,000 research | Voidcraft tier 2, stations | Paradox Stellaris Wiki Physics research table: Quantum Probes Cost 2000 |
| Self-Evolving Logic 2,500. Plus 1 research alternative. | 2,500 research | Computing tier 2, AI | Paradox Stellaris Wiki Physics research table: Self-Evolving Logic Cost 2500 |
| Interlinked Support Systems 3,000. Opens barrier point defense. | 3,000 research | Computing tier 2, defense | Paradox Stellaris Wiki Physics research table: Interlinked Support Systems Cost 3000 |
| Multi-Dimensional Studies 4,000. Opens advanced research complexes. | 4,000 research | Computing tier 3, labs | Paradox Stellaris Wiki Physics research table: Multi-Dimensional Studies Cost 4000 |
| Unified Field Theory 6,000. Opens quantum relations annex. | 6,000 research | Computing tier 2, physics lab | Paradox Stellaris Wiki Physics research table: Unified Field Theory Cost 6000 |
| Positronic AI 8,000. Plus 5 percent research speed with upkeep. | 8,000 research | Computing tier 4, AI | Paradox Stellaris Wiki Physics research table: Positronic AI Cost 8000 |
| Quantum Gravitational Waves Top here at 12,000. Opens fundamental research nexus. | 12,000 research | Computing tier 3, physics lab | Paradox Stellaris Wiki Physics research table: Quantum Gravitational Waves Cost 12000 |
About this converter
Stellaris prices each technology in base research points before empire size and game settings scale the bill. Scientific Method opens at 500. Administrative AI and Zero-G Laboratories are 1,000 each. Automated Exploration Protocols is 1,250. Quantum Computing, Exotic Materials Labs and Specialized Combat Computers are 1,500 each. Gravitic Sensors and Quantum Probes are 2,000 each. Self-Evolving Logic is 2,500. Interlinked Support Systems is 3,000. Multi-Dimensional Studies is 4,000. Unified Field Theory is 6,000. Positronic AI is 8,000. Quantum Gravitational Waves tops this set at 12,000. Physics, society and engineering all spend the same point scale, so one Quantum Gravitational Waves equals 24 Scientific Methods.
How to use it
Pick two techs and a unit in the top row. The three boxes below stay linked. Change any box and the other two update. One box holds a count of the first tech, one holds the matching count of the second, one holds total research in the chosen unit. Try 1 Quantum Gravitational Waves against 1 Scientific Method to see the full tier gap. The unit box flips between single points and thousands.
Rows pin base cost cells from the Paradox Stellaris Wiki physics research table. Actual in game cost rises 0.2 percent per empire size point above 100 and shifts with technology cost settings. Higher tiers need six prior techs in the tier below. Repeatable end game techs cost 50,000 and stay out to keep the ladder readable. Society and engineering trees use the same point unit at matching tiers.
FAQ
What is the cheapest tech here?
500 points. It opens Research Labs and leads to the 1,500 point lab chain.
What costs the most here?
Quantum Gravitational Waves at 12,000. That equals 24 Scientific Methods or 8 Quantum Computings.
Are these the final in game costs?
No. Rows are base costs. Empire size above 100 adds 0.2 percent per point, and galaxy settings shift the total.
Do society and engineering use the same points?
Yes. Physics, society and engineering all spend research points. Rows sample the physics tree where every cost cell is pinned.
Sources
- Paradox Stellaris Wiki Physics research table: base Cost column for Computing and Voidcraft techs
- Paradox Stellaris Wiki Technology page: base cost scaled by empire size and game settings
- Stellaris in-game research tree tooltips for tier and prerequisite checks
Last verified: 2026-10-15 · 15 entries
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