Reviewed by: David Chen, CFA • Professional Gaming Analyst & SEO Expert
Planning a trade in Pokémon Go? Use our Pokémon Go Trade Calculator to instantly determine the exact Stardust cost for your next exchange. Whether you are trading a Shiny Legendary or a standard regional, this tool accounts for friendship discounts and “New Pokémon” penalties to ensure you are prepared.
Pokémon Go Trade Calculator
Pokémon Go Trade Calculator Formula
$$Trade\ Cost = Base\ Cost \times (1 – Friendship\ Discount)$$
Formula Source: Official Niantic Support | Pokémon Go Hub Guide
Variables:
- Friendship Level: The level of friendship between two players (Good, Great, Ultra, Best).
- Base Cost: The standard Stardust price determined by the Pokémon’s rarity and if it’s already in your Pokédex.
- Registration Status: Whether the Pokémon is “Registered” (Owned) or “Unregistered” (New).
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What is Pokémon Go Trade Calculator?
The Pokémon Go Trade Calculator is a specialized utility designed to predict the “Stardust cost” of trading Pokémon between two trainers. In Pokémon Go, trading is not free; it requires a resource called Stardust. The amount varies wildly—from as low as 4 Stardust to as high as 1,000,000.
This calculator uses the internal game mechanics, specifically the Break-Even Point (BEP) of friendship levels. As you interact with friends, your level increases, providing massive discounts on these costs. For instance, an Ultra Friend receives a 92% discount compared to a Good Friend for special trades.
How to Calculate Pokémon Go Trade Cost (Example)
- Identify the Pokémon category (e.g., Shiny Unregistered).
- Determine your friendship level (e.g., Best Friend).
- Start with the base cost for Shiny Unregistered: 1,000,000 Stardust.
- Apply the Best Friend discount (96% off).
- Calculation: $1,000,000 \times (1 – 0.96) = 40,000$ Stardust.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a Special Trade? A special trade involves Legendary Pokémon, Shiny Pokémon, or any Pokémon not currently in your Pokédex. You can usually only do one per day.
Why is the trade cost so high? If the Pokémon is “New” (unregistered) and is a Shiny or Legendary, the base cost is 1,000,000 to prevent mass account farming.
Do Shadow Pokémon cost more? Shadow Pokémon cannot be traded. They must be Purified first, which standardizes the trade cost.
How do I get the 96% discount? You must reach “Best Friend” status by interacting with another trainer (battling, trading, or sending gifts) for 90 days.