Catch Rate Estimator
Enter your encounter details to estimate your catch chance per throw and over multiple throws.
If you have ever asked, “Should I use an Ultra Ball now, or save it?” this Pokémon GO catch rate calculator helps you make that decision quickly. You can test different throw and item combinations before using valuable resources in game.
How the calculator works
This tool uses a practical estimation model based on common catch modifiers in Pokémon GO:
- Base catch rate for the species
- Ball multiplier (Poké / Great / Ultra / Master)
- Berry multiplier
- Throw quality (Nice, Great, Excellent)
- Curveball bonus
- Type medal bonus
- A level difficulty penalty so higher-level encounters are harder
Single Throw Chance ≈ (Base Rate × All Bonuses) ÷ Level Difficulty Penalty
Multi-Throw Chance = 1 − (1 − Single Throw Chance)n
Because Pokémon GO has hidden mechanics and occasional event changes, this is an estimate, not an official Niantic-perfect value. It is still very useful for comparing strategy choices in real time.
What to enter for accurate results
1) Base catch rate
Use the species base catch rate (percentage). Legendary Pokémon are usually low, while common spawns are higher.
2) Ball and berry selection
These are often your biggest controllable boosts. Golden Razz + Ultra Ball can massively increase your odds on difficult catches.
3) Throw quality and curveball
Excellent curveballs are the strongest skill-based improvement you can apply. If you can throw consistently, your long-term catch success climbs dramatically.
Approximate base catch rate examples
| Pokémon Group | Typical Base Catch Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Common wild spawns | 30%–50% | Usually easy with standard balls |
| Starters / uncommon wild | 10%–20% | Great/Ultra balls recommended |
| Rare evolutions | 5%–10% | Use berries early |
| Legendary raid bosses | ~2% base | Excellent curveballs matter most |
Best ways to improve catch chance
- Prioritize curveballs: the bonus is large and repeatable.
- Practice Excellent throws: especially for raids and rare spawns.
- Use type medals: over time, medal progress gives permanent value.
- Spend berries strategically: save Golden Razz for high-value encounters.
- Manage throw count: cumulative chance increases quickly across multiple attempts.
Quick example
Suppose a Pokémon has a 20% base catch rate. If you use an Ultra Ball, Golden Razz Berry, Excellent curveball, and a Gold medal, your estimated single-throw chance becomes much higher than a basic Poké Ball throw. Even if one throw is not guaranteed, your chance across 5 throws can become very strong.
FAQ
Is this calculator exact?
No. It is an estimator designed for practical decision-making and comparison between different throw setups.
Why include Pokémon level?
Higher-level targets generally feel harder to catch in-game. The calculator includes a level difficulty adjustment to model that trend.
Can I use this for raid planning?
Yes. It is especially useful for legendary raids where every Premier Ball throw matters.