Pokémon Database

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Catch Rate Calculator

Exact catch chance for every ball and status in Kanto. Generation III capture formula.

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FireRed and LeafGreen bring Kanto back on the Generation III engine, so catches use the same shake-check formula as Hoenn instead of the original two-roll system. Pick any Pokémon up to the Hoenn dex, choose your ball and see the real per-throw chance.

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 Probability28.0%
Visual
Low
X value (internal)63
Ball multiplier1×
Current HP65 / 65
Throws for 50%3
Throws for 95%10

Cumulative Catch Probability

1 throw
28.0%
3 throws
62.6%
5 throws
80.6%
10 throws
96.2%
20 throws
99.9%
50 throws
100%

How catching works in Generation III and IV

The modified catch rate is a = (3 × max HP − 2 × current HP) × catch rate × ball bonus ÷ (3 × max HP), then multiplied by the status bonus (2 for sleep and freeze, 1.5 for the rest), rounding down at each step. If a is 255 or more, the Pokémon is caught immediately.

Otherwise the game computes a shake value b = 1,048,560 ÷ the fourth root of (16,711,680 ÷ a), using whole numbers throughout. Four checks are made, each succeeding with chance b ÷ 65,536, and the Pokémon is caught only if all four succeed. There are no critical captures in this generation.

Tips for Catching Pokémon in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

  • The Silph Co. Master Ball is one-time-only, so most legendary hunts here still come down to status plus a Ultra Ball.
  • Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres and Mewtwo all have very low catch rates, so a sleeping or frozen target is worth several times a healthy one.
  • Dive Balls only get their bonus when you are surfing or fishing, which in Kanto means Water Pokémon found while surfing or fishing.
  • The Safari Zone has its own throwing rules and is not part of this calculator.

Ball Reference (Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen)

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 3.9×, falling as the target's level rises. 1× from level 40.
Repeat Ball
3× on species you have already caught, otherwise 1×.
Timer Ball
Grows with each turn in battle, up to 4×.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do FireRed and LeafGreen use the Red and Blue formula?

No. They use the Generation III formula, which is the same one as Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald.

Why does the same Pokémon show a different chance than in Red?

The engine is different. Generation I rolls against the ball and HP separately, while this game combines everything into a single modified catch rate.

Why does the list include Pokémon from Johto and Hoenn?

The Generation III engine recognizes all 386 species, so the roster covers them even when a species can only be obtained by trade or event.

More Catch Rate Calculators

Planning a playthrough? Read our Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen 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.