Factorio Forums

TL;DR

The "Stack size override" on the UI should be renamed to "Hand (stack) size override" to avoid confusion.

What?

Something like this (takes even less space on the UI!):

Why?

Types of stacks
There are many different types of "stack" currently in the game:

• LuaItemStack, a single slot in any inventory (which can be more > item's stack size)
• Stack size of an item, a number representing how many of that item can fit into a single slot of normal inventory.
• Inserter's hand stack size, a number representing how many items an inserter can potentially grab per swing.
• Inserter's hand stack size override, a user input parameter changing the value of the previous phenomena.
• Belt's stack size, a number of layers a single belt can carry.
• Stack inserter, an inserter variant which has increased hand size and can put items into multiple layers.
• Furnace stack, a grid of furnaces -- not a game term.

Confusion Over the last couple of days, I've seen enough confusions between these terms (mostly -- between 1-2 and 3-4), and it looked confusing when I started playing Factorio back in 2021 (). The addition of new white Stack Inserter just adds more confusion -- when you see stack size override you may think "is it a number of layers override, or hand size override? If the latter, how do I override the 1st? Maybe I want to use only 2-layered belt because I need throughput but items are not cheap".

Also, the missing "hand" part in the override is inconsistent with the present "hand" word in the on-hover/factoriopedia entity tooltip.

For complainers
A homework question for you. Can you explain, what exactly does this phase mean?

An inserter drops an item with stack size = 1.

"Hand size override" seems good enough to me!

This was suggested after they swapped the names of "bulk" and "stack" inserters due to the community feedback: viewtopic.php?p=601276#p601276,
So I'm surprised they didn't also update the "stack size" name at the same time.

IsaacOscar wrote: Thu Nov 28, 2024 7:07 pm This was suggested after they swapped the names of "bulk" and "stack" inserters due to the community feedback: viewtopic.php?p=601276#p601276,
So I'm surprised they didn't also update the "stack size" name at the same time.

They did, but not for the override.
Edit: Fix missing "not".

Hares wrote: Thu Nov 28, 2024 7:25 pm

IsaacOscar wrote: Thu Nov 28, 2024 7:07 pm This was suggested after they swapped the names of "bulk" and "stack" inserters due to the community feedback: viewtopic.php?p=601276#p601276,
So I'm surprised they didn't also update the "stack size" name at the same time.

They did, but for the override.

I'm sorry, what? It does say "Override Stack Size", despite that being a "Bulk" inserter and not a "Stack" inserter.

IsaacOscar wrote: Thu Nov 28, 2024 7:33 pm

Hares wrote: Thu Nov 28, 2024 7:25 pm

IsaacOscar wrote: Thu Nov 28, 2024 7:07 pm This was suggested after they swapped the names of "bulk" and "stack" inserters due to the community feedback: viewtopic.php?p=601276#p601276,
So I'm surprised they didn't also update the "stack size" name at the same time.

They did, but for the override.

I'm sorry, what?
11-29-2024, 05-33-02.png
It does say "Override Stack Size", despite that being a "Bulk" inserter and not a "Stack" inserter.

I'm sorry, i missed "not". They updated the on-hover entity tooltip.

Hares wrote: Thu Nov 28, 2024 7:59 pm I'm sorry, i missed "not". They updated the on-hover entity tooltip.

Oh I see now, that's inconsistent.
I think they should both have "Hand Size", and no mention of "stack" (to avoid confusion with the "stacks" that "stack inserters", mining drills, and recyclers put on belts).

TL;DR

Rename the general stacksize override to bulksize override and for actual stack inserter add a stacksize override setting and a checkbox to have the bulk size be a multiple of stack size.

What?

For stack inserter a new setting stacksize override should be added that sets the size of stacks the inserter places on belts. For this and for clarity the existing general stacksize override setting should be renamed to e.g. bulksize override.

Why?

With the addition of stacks on belts, stack inserters becoming bulk inserter and the addition of stack inserters the general stacksize override seting has become confusing. It's not controlling the size of stacks but how much inserters gather in their hands. On the other hand the size of stacks the stack inserter places can't be controlled. Adding a setting for this would allow mixing items on belts in a fixed ratio. E.g. 2 iron plate to 3 copper plate for the electronic circuit factory could be achieved by mixing stacks of 2 iron plates with stacks of 3 copper plates.

It is me or is this very similar to this : viewtopic.php?t=123188 ?

Koub wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 1:32 pm It is me or is this very similar to this : viewtopic.php?t=123188 ?

Except for adding the additional option to limit the stack inserters belt stack size it is. Please merge.