Pokémon GO Purify IV Calculator
Enter your Shadow Pokémon IVs to see exactly what they become after purification.
Purification adds +2 to each IV, capped at 15.
If you're wondering whether to purify a Shadow Pokémon, this tool gives you a fast and accurate answer. In Pokémon GO, purification changes IVs, level, move options, and battle role. A lot of trainers purify too early and regret it later—especially for top raid attackers. This calculator helps you check the numbers first so you can make the best long-term decision.
How this Pokémon GO purify calculator works
The calculator uses the official purification IV rule:
- Attack IV: +2 (max 15)
- Defense IV: +2 (max 15)
- Stamina IV: +2 (max 15)
It also calculates before/after IV percentage, appraisal star tier, and whether your Shadow can become a perfect 15/15/15 after purification.
How to use this calculator
- Open your Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO.
- Use the in-game appraisal bars to read Attack, Defense, and HP (Stamina) IV values.
- Enter those three numbers into the calculator.
- Click Calculate Purified IVs.
- Review the result before spending Stardust and Candy.
Purification mechanics in Pokémon GO
1) IV increase
Every Shadow Pokémon gains +2 IV in all three stats when purified. If a stat would go over 15, it stays at 15. So a 14 Attack becomes 15, and a 15 Attack remains 15.
2) Level and CP changes
Purified Pokémon are boosted to at least level 25, which often causes a noticeable CP jump. This can be useful for building battle-ready Pokémon cheaply, especially for newer accounts.
3) Move changes
Purifying gives the Charged Move Return (except in special edge cases). For some species it's useful; for many raid attackers, it's usually replaced later with a TM or Elite TM depending on goals.
4) Resource efficiency
Purified Pokémon generally cost less Stardust/Candy to power up and unlock a second charged move than Shadows. The exact purification cost varies by species tier.
Appraisal star tiers (total IV)
| Total IV (out of 45) | Star Rating |
|---|---|
| 0–22 | 0★ |
| 23–29 | 1★ |
| 30–36 | 2★ |
| 37–44 | 3★ |
| 45 | 4★ (Perfect / Hundo) |
Should you purify or keep Shadow?
This depends on your goal:
- Raids / PvE damage: Shadows are often stronger due to their damage bonus.
- Collection goals: Purify if it becomes a hundo or meaningful trophy.
- Budget build: Purified can be cheaper to power up for practical use.
- Mega evolution plans: Shadows cannot Mega Evolve, so a high-IV candidate may be better purified/normal for Mega usage.
- PvP league caps: Check final CP breakpoints before deciding.
Examples
Example A: 13/13/13 Shadow
Purifies to 15/15/15. That is a guaranteed hundo. If you care about perfect collection entries, this is one of the clearest purification cases.
Example B: 12/15/15 Shadow
Purifies to 14/15/15. Great IVs, but not perfect. If this species is a strong Shadow attacker, keeping it Shadow may be better for raid damage.
Example C: 6/8/4 Shadow
Purifies to 8/10/6. Improvement is real, but not usually enough to justify purification for high-end performance unless you're building on a tight budget.
Frequently asked questions
Can purification ever lower IVs?
No. IVs only go up by +2 per stat (capped at 15).
Can I undo purification?
No. Purification is permanent, so it’s smart to calculate first.
Does every Shadow worth keeping stay Shadow?
Not always. Some are better purified for Mega evolution pathways, move utility, or collector goals.
What is the minimum Shadow IV spread for a purified hundo?
13/13/13.
Final tip
Use this calculator every time before tapping Purify. One quick check can save rare Candy, Stardust, and future regret—especially for legendary or high-meta Shadows.