How Many Pokémon Are There? (2026)
Pokémon are fictional creatures that form the core of the Pokémon franchise. The series has grown massively since its debut in 1996, expanding across video games, trading cards, anime, and mobile applications.
Pokémon Go is a mobile game you install on your smartphone. Players explore their real-world surroundings to find, catch, train, and battle Pokémon. The franchise has introduced new Pokémon with each generation, creating a vast collection of creatures with unique types, abilities, and designs.
Pokémon Go features hundreds of these creatures, though not every Pokémon from the main series has made it into the mobile game yet. In this article, we'll break down how many Pokémon exist in the overall franchise and how many are currently available in Pokémon Go.
Also Read: All Pokémon GO Codes
How Many Pokémon Are in Pokémon Go
The Pokémon franchise has introduced 1,025 Pokémon across all its main series games so far. Pokémon Go, however, doesn't feature every single one of these creatures yet.
As of January 2026, Pokémon Go has 940 Pokémon available out of the total 1,025 that exist in the franchise. This means around 85 Pokémon haven't made their way into the mobile game yet. Niantic gradually adds new Pokémon through seasonal updates, special events, and regional releases throughout the year.
The game started with only the original 151 Pokémon from Generation I when it launched in 2016. Since then, Niantic has steadily expanded the roster by introducing Pokémon from newer generations. Some generations still have a few species missing that will likely appear in future updates.
How to Get Pokémon in Pokémon Go
Pokémon Go offers several ways to catch Pokémon as you explore your surroundings. The most common method is encountering wild Pokémon that appear on your map while walking around. When you tap on a Pokémon, you enter the catch screen where you can throw Poké Balls at it.
The catching process is straightforward. You tap and hold the Poké Ball, then swipe it toward the Pokémon. A colored ring appears around the creature, indicating how difficult it is to catch. Green means easy, orange means moderate difficulty, and red means hard. Landing your throw inside this ring, especially when it's smaller, increases your chances of success.
You can improve your catch rate by using berries and better Poké Balls. Razz Berries make Pokémon easier to catch, while Great Balls and Ultra Balls work better than standard Poké Balls for tougher encounters. Spinning the ball in a circular motion before throwing creates a curveball, which further boosts your catch rate and gives you bonus experience points.
Beyond wild encounters, you can obtain Pokémon through raids, special research tasks, eggs that hatch after walking certain distances, and limited-time events. Some Pokémon only appear during specific weather conditions or in particular locations, like water-type Pokémon near lakes and rivers.
Final Words
Pokémon Go currently features 940 Pokémon out of the 1,025 that exist in the franchise. Niantic continues adding new creatures through regular updates and events, gradually expanding the available roster. The game offers multiple ways to catch Pokémon, from wild encounters during walks to raids and special events.
“ Mustafa Atteya has been writing about gaming and esports since 2023, specializing in competitive game content and player improvement guides. At 24, he brings both hands-on gaming experience and professional SEO writing expertise to the GameBoost team.”
