What is the maximum level a Pokémon can reach?

In Pokémon GO, the current maximum level is 50. You can reach Level 51 by making the Pokémon your "Best Buddy."

When do I start needing "XL Candies"?

XL Candies are required once a Pokémon reaches Level 40. They are used to power up from Level 40.5 to Level 50.

How many regular candies make one XL candy?

You can convert 100 regular candies into 1 XL candy in the Pokémon’s transfer menu.

Does it cost more to power up a Shadow Pokémon?

Yes. Shadow Pokémon have a 20% increase in both Candy and Stardust costs for powering up.

Are "Purified" Pokémon cheaper to power up?

Yes! Purified Pokémon enjoy a 10% discount on Stardust and Candy costs for all power-ups and evolutions.

How much are evolution costs?

Most 2-stage evolutions cost 50 candies. 3-stage evolutions usually cost 25 for the first stage and 100 for the second.

Do Lucky Pokémon save on candies?

Lucky Pokémon save 50% on Stardust costs, but their Candy and XL Candy costs remain the same as standard Pokémon.

What is the "Second Charge Move" cost?

Unlocking a second move costs a flat amount of Candy and Stardust based on the Pokémon’s species (ranging from 10k/25 to 100k/100).

How many candies do I get for transferring?

You get 1 candy for transferring. During special events, this can double or triple, and sometimes grant guaranteed XL candies.

Is it cheaper to evolve before or after powering up?

The total cost is exactly the same regardless of the order. Powering up a high-CP evolved form costs the same as the base form at that same level.

Pokémon Candy Requirement Calculator

Calculate the total amount of Candies, Candy XL, and Stardust needed to power up or evolve your Pokémon. Plan your resources to reach Level 40 or 50.

Current Level

Target Level (Max 51)

Evolution Need

Shadow (1.2x)

Purified (0.9x)

Lucky (0.5x Dust)

Interpreting Your Result

Use this to manage your "Candy Bank." If you are 50 candies short of your target, you can plan to walk your Pokémon as a buddy or use Rare Candies.

✓ Do's

•Wait until you have all the required candies before starting a power-up spree to avoid wasting Stardust on a Pokémon you might replace later.
•Target Level 30 or 35 for "Budget" raid attackers, as the cost-to-power ratio diminishing after Level 35.
•Use Rare Candies only on Legendaries or Mythicals, as their candy is much harder to obtain than common species.
•Check for "Evolution Events" that might grant special moves (like Community Days) before spending candies to evolve.

✗ Don'ts

•Don't convert 100 regular candies into 1 XL candy unless you have a massive surplus; it is generally better to catch more Pokémon.
•Don't power up a Pokémon with low IVs if you can easily obtain a better version (e.g., via Raids or Research).
•Don't forget about the "Best Buddy" 1-level boost, which can save you the resource cost of that final half-level.
•Don't waste Stardust on non-competitive Pokémon unless they are personal favorites.

How It Works

The Pokémon Candy Requirement Calculator is a resource-planning tool for serious trainers. Powering up a Pokémon from Level 1 to Level 50 is a massive investment that requires regular Candies, XL Candies, and significant amounts of Stardust. This tool allows you to input your Pokémon’s current level and your target level to see the exact breakdown of resources required. Whether you’re preparing for a Raid or a Master League contender, this calculator ensures you never run out of supplies mid-training.

Formula Used

Total Cost = SUM(Cost per Half-Level from Start to Target) + Evolution Cost. XP and Stardust costs increase at specific Level Tiers (e.g., Level 30, Level 40).

Real Calculation Examples

1Powering up a standard Pokémon from Level 20 (Raid hatch) to Level 40 requires 248 Candies and 225,000 Stardust.
2Taking a Pokémon from Level 40 to Level 50 (max) requires 296 XL Candies and 250,000 additional Stardust.
3A full 3-stage evolution (e.g., Pidgey to Pidgeot) requires a flat 112 Candies (12 + 100).

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The Comprehensive Guide

Pokémon Candy Requirement Calculator: Planning Your Resource Investment

Every trainer knows the feeling of catching a perfect IV Pokémon, only to realize they are hundreds of candies away from making it battle-ready. The Pokémon Candy Requirement Calculator is designed to remove the guesswork from your training. From the first evolution to the final Level 50 power-up, this guide explores the costs, tiers, and strategies for managing your Pokémon GO resources.

The Economy of Power-Ups

Powering up in Pokémon GO is based on a tiered system. As your Pokémon’s level increases, the cost in Stardust and Candies increases at specific intervals. Every "Power Up" tap increases your Pokémon's level by 0.5. To reach the next whole level, you must power up twice.

The Power-Up Tiers

While the exact numbers change, the general cost pattern looks like this:

Level Range	Candy Cost	Stardust Cost
1 - 10	1 - 2	200 - 1000
11 - 20	2 - 3	1300 - 2500
21 - 30	4 - 6	3000 - 5000
31 - 40	8 - 15	6000 - 10000

The Great XL Candy Barrier

Once a Pokémon reaches Level 40, regular candies are no longer sufficient. To push toward the absolute maximum of Level 50, you must use XL Candies. The Pokémon Candy Requirement Calculator reveals the steep climb of the endgame: reaching Level 50 requires exactly 296 XL Candies and significantly more Stardust than the first 40 levels combined. This is why many trainers stop at "Level 40" for most species and only focus XLs on their most elite fighters.

Evolution: The Flat-Rate Investment

Unlike powering up, evolution costs are fixed by species.

Base Cost: Most common Pokémon cost 12, 25, or 50 candies to evolve once.
Three-Stage Evolution: Typically requires 25 candies for the first stage and 100 for the second (Total 125).
Special Costs: Legendaries like Meltan require 400 candies, while others might require specific tasks (like walking 10km) alongside a candy cost.

Modifiers: The Cost of Darkness and Light

The status of your Pokémon dictates your math more than anything else. To get an accurate reading from the Pokémon Candy Requirement Calculator, you must identify these modifiers:

1. Shadow Pokémon (120% Cost)

Shadow Pokémon are physically stronger but "cursed." They cost 20% more Candies and 20% more Stardust to power up. However, their 20% Attack boost makes them the premier choice for Raid attackers, leading many trainers to pay the "Shadow Tax."

2. Purified Pokémon (90% Cost / 80% Stardust)

Purified Pokémon are grateful for being saved. They enjoy a 10% discount on candies and a significant discount on Stardust, making them the fastest and cheapest way to reach Level 40 or 50.

3. Lucky Pokémon (50% Stardust Discount)

Obtained via trading, Lucky Pokémon are a trainer’s best friend. While they cost the same amount of Candies, their Stardust requirement is sliced in half. This is the only way to realistically build a team of six Level 50 attackers without spending millions of Stardust.

Planning for PvP Caps

In the Great League (1500 CP) and Ultra League (2500 CP), the goal isn't to reach the max level; it's to reach the highest level possible without crossing the cap. This calculator helps you see if a Pokémon needs to be Level 32.5 or Level 33.0 to hit the magic 1499 CP mark, ensuring you don't over-invest candies and accidentally make your Pokémon ineligible for the tournament.

Conclusion: Strategic Resource Management

Candies and Stardust are the currency of progress. By utilizing the Pokémon Candy Requirement Calculator, you can stop spending impulsively and start investing strategically. Identify your goals, calculate your needs, and build a team that is not just powerful, but resource-efficient. Every candy counts—make sure you spend them wisely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Usage of This Calculator

Who Should Use This?

Pokémon GO Trainers, Resource managers, PvP players building Master League teams, and hardcore Raiders looking to "Max Out" their squads.

Limitations

The calculator assumes standard tier costs unless "Shadow," "Purified," or "Lucky" is selected. Does not predict the number of candies gained from catching.

Real-World Examples

The Master League Grind

Scenario: A player has a 100% IV Dialga at Level 20 and wants to reach Level 50.

Outcome: The calculator shows they need 248 regular candies to reach Level 40, and 296 XL candies for Level 50. Total Stardust: ~475,000.

Budget Raid Squad

Scenario: A trainer wants to power up six Level 25 Eevelutions to Level 35 for a raid.

Outcome: Calculation shows it requires 144 candies per Pokémon, identifying it as a highly efficient investment for a new player.

Summary

The Pokémon Candy Requirement Calculator is the ultimate logistics tool for your journey. By quantifying the costs of evolution and power-ups, you can allocate your rarest resources with precision. Don’t just play—plan your way to the top.