Pokémon Go Catch Rate Calculator
An advanced tool to determine your exact catch probability for any Pokémon encounter.
Where BCR is the Pokémon’s Base Catch Rate, CPM is a multiplier based on level, and Multiplier is the product of all your bonuses.
What is a Pokémon Go Catch Rate Calculator?
A catch rate calculator pokemon go is a specialized tool designed for players of the popular augmented reality game, Pokémon Go. Its purpose is to compute the precise probability of successfully catching a wild Pokémon with a single throw. This calculation is not simple; it depends on a multitude of interacting factors, including the Pokémon’s species, its level, the type of Poké Ball used, any berries fed to it, and the skill of the player’s throw. By inputting these variables, a trainer can strategize the best approach to catching a rare or powerful Pokémon, deciding whether it’s worth using their most valuable items like Ultra Balls and Golden Razz Berries.
This calculator is for anyone serious about optimizing their gameplay. Casual players might be content with simply throwing balls until a Pokémon is caught, but dedicated trainers understand the importance of resource management. Using a catch rate calculator pokemon go helps you avoid wasting precious items on a Pokémon that has a very low catch probability anyway, or conversely, ensures you don’t skimp on items for a rare Pokémon that you can’t afford to let flee.
The Pokémon Go Catch Rate Formula and Explanation
The core of any accurate catch rate calculator pokemon go is the official formula used by the game. The probability of a catch is determined by a formula that takes a Pokémon’s intrinsic difficulty and raises it to the power of all the bonuses you apply.
The simplified formula for the final catch probability (P) is:
P = 1 - (1 - (BaseCaptureRate / (2 * CPM))) ^ TotalMultiplier
This formula may look complex, but it’s built from a few key components. Let’s break down the variables.
| Variable | Meaning | Unit / Type | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| BaseCaptureRate (BCR) | The Pokémon species’ inherent catch rate. A higher value means it’s easier to catch. | Percentage (as decimal) | 0.02 (Legendaries) to 0.56 (Magikarp, now lower) |
| CPM (CP Multiplier) | A scalar value determined by the Pokémon’s level. Higher level Pokémon have a higher CPM, making them harder to catch. | Multiplier (decimal) | ~0.094 (Level 1) to ~0.84 (Level 50) |
| TotalMultiplier | The product of all active bonuses (Ball, Berry, Throw, Curve, Medal). | Multiplier (decimal) | 1.0 (no bonuses) to over 20.0 (all bonuses stacked) |
Practical Examples
Example 1: Catching a Legendary Pokémon
Imagine you encounter a Level 20 Mewtwo from a raid. Your goal is to maximize your chances.
- Inputs:
- Pokémon: Mewtwo (BCR: 0.02)
- Level: 20
- Ball: Ultra Ball (x2.0)
- Berry: Golden Razz Berry (x2.5)
- Throw: Excellent Throw (x1.85)
- Bonuses: Curveball (x1.7), Platinum Psychic Medal (x1.4)
- Result: With all these bonuses stacked, your catch rate calculator pokemon go would show a much higher chance (around 15-16%) per throw compared to a simple straight throw with a Poké Ball (less than 1%). To maximize your chances, you might want to look at our {related_keywords} guide.
Example 2: Casual Catch of a Common Pokémon
You see a Level 15 Eevee and want to catch it without wasting items.
- Inputs:
- Pokémon: Eevee (BCR: 0.16)
- Level: 15
- Ball: Great Ball (x1.5)
- Berry: None (x1.0)
- Throw: Great Throw (x1.5)
- Bonuses: Curveball (x1.7), Platinum Normal Medal (x1.4)
- Result: The calculator shows a very high catch probability (likely over 80%). You can confidently use a Great Ball and a curveball, saving your more premium items for tougher encounters. For more on this, check our {related_keywords} tips.
How to Use This Pokémon Go Catch Rate Calculator
Using our tool is straightforward. Follow these steps to get an accurate calculation:
- Select the Pokémon: Choose the Pokémon you are trying to catch from the dropdown. This sets the correct Base Capture Rate (BCR).
- Enter the Level: Input the Pokémon’s level. If you don’t know the exact level, a good estimate is fine. Raid bosses are typically Level 20.
- Choose Your Ball: Select the Poké Ball you are using (Poké, Great, or Ultra).
- Select Your Berry: If you are using a berry, choose it from the list.
- Specify Your Throw: Select the quality of your throw (Nice, Great, or Excellent).
- Add Bonuses: Check the “Curveball” box if you’re throwing a curveball and select your corresponding type medal level.
- Interpret the Result: The calculator will instantly display your catch chance per throw. The bar chart also provides a quick visual comparison of how different Poké Balls affect your odds. Our guide to {related_keywords} can help you perfect your throw.
Key Factors That Affect Pokémon Go Catch Rate
- Base Capture Rate (BCR): This is the single most important factor. Legendary and rare Pokémon have inherently low BCRs, making them a challenge regardless of bonuses.
- Pokémon Level: As a Pokémon’s level increases, the CPM value rises, which in turn lowers the catch probability. A Level 35 Pokémon is significantly harder to catch than a Level 5 one.
- Ball Type: This is one of the easiest multipliers to control. An Ultra Ball (2.0x) is twice as effective as a standard Poké Ball (1.0x).
- Berries: A Golden Razz Berry provides a massive 2.5x multiplier, making it the most powerful berry for difficult catches. For tips on managing your items, see our {related_keywords} article.
- Throw Quality: An Excellent throw (around 1.85x) provides a much better bonus than a Nice throw (around 1.15x). Mastering the throw is a crucial skill.
- Curveball: A consistent 1.7x multiplier makes throwing curveballs one of the most effective and reliable ways to boost your catch rate. It’s a skill every serious trainer should learn.
- Medals: The platinum medal bonus (1.4x) is a significant, passive boost that rewards you for catching many Pokémon of the same type.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 1. Does an Excellent throw guarantee a catch?
- No. While an Excellent throw provides a high multiplier, it does not guarantee a catch, especially for Pokémon with very low base catch rates like Legendaries.
- 2. Is a curveball always better than a straight Excellent throw?
- The curveball multiplier (1.7x) is lower than an Excellent throw multiplier (~1.85x). However, a “Great” curveball (1.5 * 1.7 = 2.55x effective multiplier) is often better and easier to hit than a straight “Excellent”. The best is an Excellent Curveball.
- 3. How does the calculator handle dual-type Pokémon medals?
- The game averages the bonus from the two medal types. For simplicity, our catch rate calculator pokemon go asks for a single medal value. You should select the average of your two relevant medals for the most accurate result.
- 4. What is the highest possible catch rate?
- A 100% catch rate is theoretically possible for very easy-to-catch Pokémon (like a Level 1 Pidgey) with many bonuses. For most Pokémon, however, the rate never quite reaches 100% but can get very close.
- 5. Why does the ring color change?
- The ring color is a direct visual indicator of the current catch probability. Green means a high chance, yellow is moderate, orange is low, and red is very low. Our calculator quantifies this color. Learning {related_keywords} can help you read these signs.
- 6. Do weather boosts affect the catch rate?
- Indirectly. Weather boosts allow you to encounter higher-level Pokémon (up to level 35 in the wild). These higher levels make the Pokémon harder to catch, as reflected by the CPM value.
- 7. Does a Critical Catch have a formula?
- A Critical Catch is a separate mechanic that provides an instant catch. It’s a random occurrence, though some evidence suggests it’s more likely with better throws. This calculator does not account for the random chance of a Critical Catch.
- 8. Where can I find the Base Capture Rates (BCR) and CPM values?
- These values are found in the game’s master files and have been compiled by data mining communities. Our calculator has these values pre-loaded for your convenience.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
Expand your Pokémon Go knowledge with our other guides and tools:
- {related_keywords}: Discover the best Pokémon to use in player-versus-player battles.
- {related_keywords}: Learn how to maximize your XP gains to level up faster.
- {related_keywords}: A comprehensive list of all shiny Pokémon available in the game.
- {related_keywords}: Optimize your team for taking down powerful raid bosses.
- {related_keywords}: Find out which Pokémon are currently hatching from eggs.
- {related_keywords}: Stay up-to-date with the latest events and news in Pokémon Go.