TL;DR

The map is not available from the start — you need to unlock it through research.
Build a Craft Table, then a Research Table to begin.
Complete all Tier 1 research first, then unlock Tier 2 with 1x Build-Hammer and 1x Beeswax.
After reaching Tier 2, craft the map using 2x Cloth (made from Cotton).
Press M to open the map anytime once it is unlocked.
Left-click and drag to pan. Scroll the mouse wheel to zoom in and out.
You can also research Map Markers to pin important locations.

How to get and use the map in Solarpunk is one of the first things you will want to figure out. The game does not hand you a map when you spawn. You have to earn it through the research system. Without it, flying between floating islands and finding your way back home becomes a real problem. This guide walks you through every step — from building your first table to opening the map and using it properly.

Table of Contents

Why You Need the Map Early in Solarpunk

Solarpunk is set across a world of floating islands. At first, your starting island feels manageable. But once you start exploring, things get confusing fast.

It is easy to forget where you found a useful resource, which direction your base is in, or which islands you have already visited. The map fixes all of that. Getting it early saves a lot of frustration later.

Step 1: Build a Craft Table

Everything starts with the Craft Table. You cannot progress without one.

To build an axe, collect 2x Stones and 2x Sticks from the ground around your spawn. Use the axe to chop trees and gather 6x Wood.

Press F to open the Quick Craft Menu. Select the Craft Table and place it anywhere on the ground.

Step 2: Craft a Research Table

With your Craft Table placed, press E on it to open the crafting menu. Go to the Utilities Tab.

You will see the Research Table listed there. It costs 8x Wood and 1x Cloth to build.

If you do not have Cloth yet, craft it in the Resources Tab using 1x Cotton. Cotton plants grow on your starting island. They are easier to spot at night because they glow in the dark, so look for them after sunset if you are having trouble finding them.

Once you have the materials, craft the Research Table and place it down.

Step 3: Complete All Tier 1 Research

The map sits behind Tier 2 research. You cannot skip Tier 1.

You need to research and complete all of the following Tier 1 items before you can advance:

Rain Collector — 2x Wood
Well — 3x Stone, 2x Wood, 2x Sticks
Chest — 2x Wood
Beehive — 2x Wood
Bed — 2x Wood, 2x Sticks, 1x Cloth

Build a Beehive as soon as possible. It produces Beeswax over time, which you will need for the Tier 2 unlock.

Step 4: Unlock Tier 2 Research

Once all Tier 1 research is done, you can move up to Tier 2.

To unlock Tier 2, you need:

1x Build-Hammer
1x Beeswax (collected from your Beehive)

Spend those materials at the Research Table. Tier 2 will unlock and a new list of research options will appear. The Map will be one of them.

Step 5: Research and Craft the Map

With Tier 2 unlocked, find the Map in the research list. Select it to unlock the blueprint.

Crafting the Map requires 2x Cloth. Make Cloth from Cotton using the Craft Table. It is worth growing Cotton on a small farm as you will need Cloth for many things throughout the game.

Once you have the 2x Cloth, craft the Map. It is now permanently available — no need to carry it in your inventory.

How to Open and Use the Map in Solarpunk

After crafting the Map, press M at any time to open it.

When you first open the map, you will mostly see ocean. Do not panic. The world is much larger than what the screen shows at first.

How to Pan the Map

Left-click and drag to move the map in any direction. Slide it around to find other floating islands nearby.

How to Zoom the Map

Use your mouse scroll wheel to zoom. Scroll down to zoom out and see a wider area. Scroll up to zoom in for a closer look at a specific island.

What the Map Shows

The map shows your current location on the island. You can see the layout of the surrounding area and spot nearby islands. At the moment, the map does not show resource locations or where you have built structures, so it is mainly useful for navigation and orientation.

How to Get and Use Map Markers in Solarpunk

Map Markers are a separate research unlock. You can research them using Wood at the Research Table.

Once unlocked, you can place Map Markers near important spots — like your base, a resource node, or a merchant location. This makes it easy to navigate back to places that matter.

Note: There is a known bug where Map Markers do not show up on the map right away. If yours are not appearing, save and quit to the main menu, then reload your game. They should show up after that.

Solarpunk Map Tips Worth Knowing

Cotton glows at night. If you are struggling to find Cotton for your Cloth, go looking after dark. The plants light up and are much easier to spot.
Grow Cotton on a farm. You will need a lot of Cloth throughout the game. Replant Cotton Seeds whenever you harvest to keep a steady supply.
The map is permanent. Once crafted, you do not need to keep it in your inventory. It is always accessible with the M key.
Drag the map to explore. Do not just look at what is on screen. Pan around to see the full picture of the world and plan your next flights wisely.
Use the airship to visit other islands. The map will show you nearby islands, but you cannot fly to them until you have built an Airship.

Solarpunk Research Tier Unlock Materials at a Glance

For reference, here are the materials needed to unlock each Research Table tier beyond Tier 1:

Tier 2 — 1x Build-Hammer + 1x Beeswax (Map available here)
Tier 3 — 1x Iron Bar
Tier 4 — 1x Copper
Tier 5 — 1x Wheat
Tier 6 — 1x Sunflower

The Map unlocks at Tier 2, so it is one of the earliest progression milestones in the game. Prioritise it.

Final Thoughts

Getting the map in Solarpunk takes a bit of work, but it is absolutely worth doing as early as possible. Once you have it, navigating the floating islands becomes so much easier. Build your Craft Table, work through the Tier 1 research list, unlock Tier 2 with Beeswax and a Build-Hammer, craft 2x Cloth, and you are done. Press M and start exploring with confidence.