What does "CP" stand for in Pokémon GO?

CP stands for Combat Power. It is an overall representation of a Pokémon's battle strength based on its three core stats: Attack, Defense, and Stamina.

Why does my 100% IV Pokémon have lower CP than a 0% one?

Level is the most significant factor in CP. A Level 30 Pokémon with 0 IVs will almost always have a higher CP than a Level 10 Pokémon with 100% IVs.

How do IVs affect my CP?

Individual Values (0-15) are added directly to the base stats before being multiplied. A higher IV always results in a higher maximum potential CP for that specific level.

What is the "CP Multiplier"?

The CP Multiplier (CPM) is a hidden value that scales with the Pokémon's level (1 to 50). It increases every time you "Power Up" your Pokémon.

Why is Attack weighted so heavily in the CP formula?

Niantic's formula uses the full Attack value but only the square root of Defense and Stamina. This means high-attack Pokémon gain CP much faster than defensive ones, often making them look stronger than they actually are in battle.

Does a 0/15/15 IV Pokémon have a lower CP?

Yes. Because Attack is weighted more heavily, a "Defense-weighted" IV spread like 0/15/15 will result in a lower CP at the same level than a 15/15/15 spread.

What is the highest possible CP in the game?

As of the current update, Mega Rayquaza and Mega Mewtwo (when in Mega form) can exceed 6000 CP at Level 50.

Does the minimum CP of 10 ever change?

No. Regardless of how low a Pokémon's stats are (looking at you, Magikarp), the game code enforces a minimum CP floor of 10.

Do Weather Boosts affect CP?

Weather Boosts increase the level of wild Pokémon you encounter (up to +5 levels), which in turn results in a higher starting CP. They do not change a Pokémon's base stats.

How is CP calculated for Shadow Pokémon?

Shadow Pokémon use the exact same CP formula as regular Pokémon. Their "Shadow Bonus" (+20% Attack, -20% Defense) is applied during actual battle calculations, not reflected in the CP number.

Interpreting Your Result

Use CP as a general guide for raw power. However, for PvP leagues, look for "Stat Product" rather than max CP. For Raids, prioritize the highest possible CP to maximize damage per second.

✓ Do's

•Check the CP of a Pokémon before evolving it to ensure it won't exceed Great or Ultra League caps.
•Target Level 40 or 50 for Master League Pokémon to maximize their CP potential.
•Use "Appraisal" in-game to find the exact IVs (0-15) for accurate calculation.
•Pay attention to the CP weight; a high-CP Pokémon with low Defense might be a "glass cannon."

✗ Don'ts

•Don't assume a high CP means a Pokémon is good for PvP; high-attack Pokémon often have poor bulk in CP-capped leagues.
•Don't waste resources powering up Pokémon with low base stats just because they have 100% IVs.
•Don't confuse CP with actual DPS (Damage Per Second)—movesets matter more than raw CP.
•Don't forget that Mega Evolving a Pokémon drastically increases its CP temporarily.

How It Works

The Pokémon CP Calculator is the definitive tool for understanding the strength of your roster in Pokémon GO. Combat Power (CP) is a combined metric of a Pokémon's Attack, Defense, and Stamina, scaled by its level. By inputting hidden values like Individual Values (IVs) and the current level, this calculator reverse-engineers the official Niantic formula to show you the exact power level of your Pokémon. This is essential for competitive play, ensuring your Pokémon stay under the limits for Great League (1500 CP) or Ultra League (2500 CP).

Understanding the Inputs

Level: Internal Pokémon level (1 to 50). Base Stats: Species-specific traits. IVs: Individual Values (0 to 15) for Attack, Defense, and Stamina.

Formula Used

CP = floor((BaseAttack + IVAttack) * sqrt(BaseDefense + IVDefense) * sqrt(BaseStamina + IVStamina) * CPMultiplier^2 / 10). Minimum CP is always 10.

Real Calculation Examples

1A Level 40 Mewtwo with 15/15/15 IVs reaches exactly 4178 CP.
2A Level 15 Magikarp with 0 IVs has a measly 10 CP, the minimum in the game.
3A Level 50 Melmetal with perfect IVs hits the staggering milestone of 4069 CP.

Related Calculators

Pokémon Ability Activation Chance CalculatorCalculate the probability of status-inflicting abilities like Static, Flame Body, or Effect Spore triggering during a battle. Analyze the impact of multi-hit moves and Serene Grace.Pokémon Ability Damage Modifier CalculatorCalculate how various Pokémon abilities modify damage dealt and received. Includes multipliers for Huge Power, Guts, Multiscale, Tinted Lens, and more.Pokémon Ability Interaction CalculatorCalculate the outcomes of complex Pokémon Ability interactions. Predict how Mold Breaker, Gastro Acid, Neutralizing Gas, and Mummy override standard battle mechanics.Pokémon Ability Trigger Probability CalculatorDetermine the exact percentage chance of defensive and offensive abilities like Static, Flame Body, and Serene Grace triggering. Perfect for optimizing status-induction strategies.Pokémon Accuracy CalculatorCalculate the hit probability of your moves in Pokémon. Factor in base accuracy, accuracy and evasion stages, items like Wide Lens, and abilities like Compound Eyes.Pokémon Ball Effectiveness CalculatorCompare the modifiers and success rates of all Poké Ball types. Find the optimal ball for any situation based on environment, turn count, species weight, and level.

View all Pokémon Calculators→

The Comprehensive Guide

Pokémon CP Calculator: Decoding Combat Power in Pokémon GO

If you've played Pokémon GO for more than five minutes, you've seen the CP (Combat Power) number. It sits prominently above every Pokémon, serving as a shorthand for its strength. But what exactly is CP? How is it calculated? And why does a tiny change in stats sometimes cause a massive jump in power? The Pokémon CP Calculator is here to answer those questions and help you optimize your team like a pro.

What is Combat Power (CP)?

In Pokémon GO, CP is an aggregate value that represents a Pokémon's overall combat effectiveness. Unlike the mainline games where you look at six distinct stats, Pokémon GO simplifies things into one main number. However, behind that number is a complex formula involving Attack, Defense, and Stamina (HP). CP doesn't grow linearly—it is influenced by "hidden" values like Individual Values (IVs) and Level.

The Official Pokémon GO CP Formula

Niantic uses a specific mathematical equation to determine CP. Understanding this formula is the secret to competitive success, especially in the CP-capped Great and Ultra Leagues.

The Formula

CP = Floor( (Attack * sqrt(Defense) * sqrt(Stamina) * CPMultiplier^2) / 10 )

Breaking Down the Variables

Attack: Calculated as (Base Attack + Attack IV). Note that Attack is the only stat not square-rooted, meaning it has twice the influence on CP as Defense or Stamina.
Defense: Calculated as (Base Defense + Defense IV). This reflects how much damage your Pokémon can mitigate.
Stamina: Calculated as (Base Stamina + Stamina IV). This directly determines your Pokémon's HP.
CP Multiplier (CPM): This is a hidden constant that increases as your Pokémon's level increases. When you "Power Up" your Pokémon, you are actually increasing its CPM.

The "Level" System in Pokémon GO

While the game doesn't explicitly show you a number like "Level 35," every Pokémon has a level ranging from 1 to 50 (in increments of 0.5). You can judge the level by the arc above the Pokémon or the "Stardust" cost required for the next Power Up. As the level increases, the CP Multiplier increases exponentially, leading to larger CP gains at higher levels until the "soft cap" of Level 40, where gains become smaller.

The Hidden Role of IVs (Individual Values)

Every Pokémon has three IVs for Attack, Defense, and Stamina, ranging from 0 to 15. These are added directly to the Pokémon's Base Stats before the CP formula is applied.

A 100% IV Pokémon (15/15/15) will reach the highest possible CP for its species.
A 0% IV Pokémon (0/0/0) will reach the lowest possible CP for its level.

In the Master League, 15/15/15 IVs are the gold standard. However, in the Great League (1500 CP cap), players often look for Low Attack / High Defense / High Stamina IVs. Why? Because a low Attack IV keeps the CP low, allowing the Pokémon to reach a much higher total level before hitting 1500 CP, making it bulkier and more survivable!

Strategies for Optimal CP Management

1. The Evolution CP Jump

When you evolve a Pokémon, its level stays the same, but its Base Stats change—usually significantly upwards. This results in a massive jump in CP. Using a CP Evolution Calculator before clicking that evolve button is critical to ensure you don't accidentally exceed the 1500 or 2500 CP battle limits.

2. Weather Boost and CP

Wild Pokémon encountered in their preferred weather are boosted by 5 levels. This means their starting CP is significantly higher. For example, a "Cloudy" weather Mewtwo could be caught at Level 25 instead of Level 20, saving you 28 candies and thousands of Stardust in Power Ups.

3. The Level 50 XL Candy Grind

Once you reach Trainer Level 31, you begin earning XL Candies. These allow you to power your Pokémon from Level 40 to Level 50. The CP gains in this range are smaller per level, but they are essential for competing in the top tiers of the Master League and high-level Raids.

Common CP Pitfalls

Overestimating High CP: A 4000 CP Slaking might look terrifying, but because its move "Yawn" deals zero damage, it is actually one of the weakest attackers in the game. CP only reflects raw stats, not Moveset Efficiency.

Spending Stardust Too Early: New players often power up 3-star Pokémon at Level 10. This is a massive waste of Stardust. It is much more efficient to catch a Level 30+ Pokémon in the wild with "okay" stats, as it will already have a high CP without requiring any investment.

The Master Ball Dilemma: Using a Master Ball doesn't change a Pokémon's stats or CP—it only guarantees the catch. Don't use a Master Ball on a high-CP Pokémon unless its IVs are also high (which you can only guess during an encounter).

Conclusion: Scientific Pokémon Management

The Pokémon CP Calculator is more than just a numbers tool—it is the foundation of a winning strategy. By understanding the math behind the CP formula, you can make smarter decisions about which Pokémon to evolve, which to power up, and which to trade. In the world of Pokémon GO, knowledge is power, and power is measured in CP. Start calculating and start winning!

Usage of This Calculator

Who Should Use This?

PvP competitors optimizing for Great/Ultra Leagues, Raid leaders building optimal counters, and collectionists aiming to find their first 4000+ CP Pokémon.

Limitations

Does not account for mid-battle modifiers like stat stages (e.g., from Power-Up Punch). Does not predict CP for future, unreleased Pokémon generations.

Real-World Examples

The Great League Gatekeeper

Scenario: A player has a rare Swampert they want to use in the Great League (1500 CP cap). They calculate its potential CP at Level 19.

Outcome: The calculator shows the CP would be 1505. The player decides not to power it up, saving it for the Ultra League instead.

Raid Preparation

Scenario: A group is preparing for a Mewtwo raid and wants to know if their Level 30 Tyranitars are strong enough.

Outcome: The calculation confirms their Tyranitars reach ~3300 CP, providing enough bulk and damage to contribute effectively.

Summary

The Pokémon CP Calculator is the essential dashboard for your Pokémon GO journey. By decoding the relationship between Level, IVs, and Base Stats, you can strategically build a team that dominates every league and raid. Leave nothing to chance and master the math of the Master League.

Pokémon CP Calculator (Find Exact CP in Pokémon GO)