Pokémon Database

Pokémon Black and White Catch Rate Calculator

Exact catch chance for every ball and status in Unova. Generation V capture formula.

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Unova introduced the critical capture, where a lucky throw only needs one shake check instead of four. The chance depends on how many Pokémon you have caught, and this calculator folds that straight into the total probability for all 649 Pokémon through Generation V.

Select Pokémon

#025PikachuelectricPikachu

Catch rate and max HP start from the species data and a typical stat spread. Edit either one if you know your target's real value.

Battle Conditions

Results — Per Throw

Catch Probability35.2%
Visual
Decent
X value (internal)63.3
Ball multiplier1×
Current HP65 / 65
Critical capture chance0.00%
Throws for 50%2
Throws for 95%7

Cumulative Catch Probability

1 throw
35.2%
3 throws
72.8%
5 throws
88.6%
10 throws
98.7%
20 throws
100%
50 throws
100%

How catching works in Generations V to IX

From Generation V on, the modified catch rate is a = (3 × max HP − 2 × current HP) × catch rate × ball bonus ÷ (3 × max HP), multiplied by the status bonus (2.5 for sleep and freeze, 1.5 for the others). If a is 255 or more the catch is automatic.

Otherwise each shake check succeeds with chance b ÷ 65,536, where b = 65,536 ÷ (255 ÷ a) to the power of 0.1875. Four checks must all succeed, which works out to roughly (a ÷ 255) to the power of 0.75 overall.

A critical capture can replace the four checks with a single one. Its chance is a × a multiplier from how many species you have caught (0 up to 30, then 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5), divided by 6, out of 256. The Catching Charm doubles the multiplier in the games that have it.

Tips for Catching Pokémon in Pokémon Black and White

  • Critical captures start once you have caught more than 30 species and rise in steps at 150, 300, 450 and 600. The Pokédex bracket selector lets you match your own progress.
  • Sleep and freeze now multiply the modified catch rate by 2.5, up from 2, which makes status stronger than in Sinnoh.
  • Quick Ball jumps to 5× on the first turn, the best opening multiplier in the game.
  • Dusk Ball is 3.5× in caves and at night, which fits Chargestone Cave and Twist Mountain.

Ball Reference (Pokémon Black and White)

Poké Ball
1×. No bonus.
Great Ball
1.5×. Reliable early upgrade.
Ultra Ball
2×. Best general-purpose ball.
Master Ball
Always catches.
Premier Ball
1×. Same as a Poké Ball.
Luxury Ball
1×. Raises friendship only.
Net Ball
3× against Bug and Water types, otherwise 1×.
Dive Ball
3.5× while surfing, fishing or underwater, otherwise 1×.
Nest Ball
Up to 4×, falling as the target's level rises. 1× from level 41.
Repeat Ball
3× on species you have already caught, otherwise 1×.
Timer Ball
Grows with each turn in battle, up to 4×.
Heal Ball
1×. Restores HP after the catch.
Quick Ball
5× on the first turn only, otherwise 1×.
Dusk Ball
3.5× at night or in caves, otherwise 1×.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a critical capture change the odds?

It replaces the four shake checks with a single check. That is a big jump for low-rate Pokémon, which is why the total chance is higher than the plain four-check value.

Does Black and White count the National or the regional Pokédex?

The game counts species you have caught. Use the bracket that matches your caught total.

Are Black and White catch rates different from Black 2 and White 2?

No, the capture routine is the same in all four games.

More Catch Rate Calculators

Planning a playthrough? Read our Pokémon Black and White guide.

Results are exact for the formula shown, to within the game's own rounding. Species catch rates are the current values and a few differ in older games, so edit the catch rate if you know yours.