Pokémon Catch Rate Calculator
Total health points of the target.
Lower HP increases catch chance.
Legendary: ~3, Starter: 45, Common: 255.
Poké Ball (x1.0)
Great Ball (x1.5)
Ultra Ball (x2.0)
Dusk Ball (Cave/Night) (x3.5)
Quick Ball (Turn 1) (x4.0)
Premier Ball (x1.0)
Master Ball (x255)
None
Paralyzed (x1.5)
Poisoned (x1.5)
Burned (x1.5)
Asleep (x2.5)
Frozen (x2.5)
Estimated Capture Probability
0%
Understanding the Catch Rate Formula
Capturing a Pokémon is determined by a mathematical formula that considers several variables: the species' inherent catch rate, its current health relative to its maximum health, the type of Poké Ball used, and any status conditions affecting the target.
Key Variables Explained
- Max HP & Current HP: The lower the target's HP, the higher the chance of capture. Reducing a Pokémon to 1 HP offers the best mathematical odds without knocking it out.
- Species Catch Rate: This is a hidden number between 1 and 255 assigned to every species. Caterpie has a rate of 255 (easy), while Mewtwo has a rate of 3 (hard).
- Ball Multiplier: Different balls apply a multiplier. A standard Poké Ball is 1x, a Great Ball is 1.5x, and an Ultra Ball is 2.0x. Conditional balls like Dusk Balls can go up to 3.5x in the right environment.
- Status Bonus: Status conditions significantly boost catch rates. Sleep and Freeze provide the highest multiplier (2.5x), while Paralysis, Poison, and Burn offer a 1.5x bonus.
The Math Behind the Capture
The core formula used in modern generations (Gen III onwards) to determine the "Modified Catch Rate" ($X$) looks roughly like this:
X = [ ( ( 3 * MaxHP – 2 * CurrHP ) * Rate * Ball ) / ( 3 * MaxHP ) ] * Status
If the calculated value $X$ is greater than or equal to 255, the capture is guaranteed. If it is less than 255, the game performs "shake checks." This calculator provides a simplified probability percentage based on the final "A-value" derived from this formula.
Example Calculation
Imagine you are trying to catch a Kyogre (Catch Rate 3) with full health (200 HP) using a Poké Ball (x1) and no status.
- Modified Rate: ~1.0 (Extremely low chance)
Now, weaken it to 1 HP, put it to Sleep (x2.5), and use an Ultra Ball (x2.0):
- The modifiers stack, significantly increasing the Modified Catch Rate, raising your probability from near 0% to a much more viable percentage per throw.