---
name: "findEmptyPositionReady"
type: command
status: ok
groups: ["Positions"]
arma3_since: "0.50"
locality: {"argument": null, "effect": null, "server_exec": false}
source: https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/findEmptyPositionReady
revid: 377552
updated: 2026-01-02T06:54:51Z
---

# findEmptyPositionReady

*Command · Positions · Arma 3 v0.50 · introduced in Arma 2 v1.00*

## Description

Preloads area to be used with [findEmptyPosition](../commands/findEmptyPosition.md) command and returns [true](../commands/true.md) when area is ready.
The size of the area preloaded is from `center - radius - maxDistance` to `center + radius + maxDistance`

> [!IMPORTANT]
> Preloading large areas may take a long time, we are talking minutes. However once preloaded, it stays preloaded even after mission restart.

## Syntax

```sqf
center findEmptyPositionReady [radius, maxDistance]
```

**Parameters:**

- `center`: [Position2D](../topics/Position.md#introduction) or [Position3D](../topics/Position.md#introduction) - search area center position in format [x,y] or [x,y,z] in which case z is ignored
- `radius`: [Number](../topics/Number.md) - distance from the center
- `maxDistance`: [Number](../topics/Number.md) - distance from the end of radius

**Returns:** [Boolean](../topics/Boolean.md) - [true](../commands/true.md) when ready

## Examples

### Example 1

Preload aread within 500m:

```sqf
_ready = _center findEmptyPositionReady [0, 500];
```

## See also

[findEmptyPosition](../commands/findEmptyPosition.md)

<sub>Source: [BI Community Wiki — findEmptyPositionReady](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/findEmptyPositionReady) (revision 377552).</sub>