How Many Pokémon Are There?
If you are wondering how many pokemon are there, the cleanest answer depends on what you mean by “official.” The official numbered National Pokédex currently runs to Pecharunt at #1025. That means there are 1,025 officially numbered Pokémon species in the National Pokédex.
However, newer 2026 updates have created a small but important difference. Three Generation 10 starter Pokémon have been revealed, so many updated fan databases now count 1,028 known Pokémon species. For a strict numbered Pokédex answer, use 1,025. For the latest known species answer, use 1,028.
What Does the Pokémon Count Actually Mean?
The Pokémon count usually refers to unique species, not every visual version of a Pokémon. This is why the number can sound confusing. A species gets its own National Pokédex number. A form, costume, regional look, Mega Evolution, or Gigantamax version usually does not.
For example, Alolan Vulpix looks different from regular Vulpix, but it still belongs to the Vulpix species line. Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y are dramatic transformations, but they do not become separate numbered Pokémon. This is why the official species count stays lower than the total number of forms a player can see across games.
Pokémon Count by Generation
Every new generation adds fresh Pokémon, new regions, new starters, and sometimes new forms. The biggest jump came in Generation 5, while Generation 6 added a much smaller set of new species. Here is a simple breakdown of how the main count grew over time.
| Generation | Main Games Era | New Pokémon Added | Total After Generation |
| Gen 1 | Red, Blue, Yellow | 151 | 151 |
| Gen 2 | Gold, Silver, Crystal | 100 | 251 |
| Gen 3 | Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald | 135 | 386 |
| Gen 4 | Diamond, Pearl, Platinum | 107 | 493 |
| Gen 5 | Black, White | 156 | 649 |
| Gen 6 | X, Y | 72 | 721 |
| Gen 7 | Sun, Moon | 88 | 809 |
| Gen 8 | Sword, Shield, Legends: Arceus | 96 | 905 |
| Gen 9 | Scarlet, Violet and DLC | 120 | 1,025 |
| Gen 10 | Revealed starters | 3 known so far | 1,028 known species |
Who Was the First Pokémon?
In National Pokédex order, Bulbasaur is #0001. Pikachu may be the most famous face of the franchise, but it is not the first Pokémon in the official Pokédex list. Pikachu appears later at #0025.
This small detail surprises many casual fans because Pokémon branding often places Pikachu at the center. The Pokédex, however, follows its own order.
Who Is the Latest Numbered Pokémon?
The latest officially numbered Pokémon in the National Pokédex is Pecharunt at #1025. Pecharunt is a Poison and Ghost type Mythical Pokémon connected to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet DLC content.
The important word here is “numbered.” If you are counting only the current official Pokédex sequence, Pecharunt is still the endpoint. If you are counting revealed but not fully numbered new species, the total moves higher because of the Gen 10 starters.
Why Do Some Websites Show Different Pokémon Counts?
Different websites may show different totals because they are not always counting the same thing. Some count only numbered species. Some include newly revealed Pokémon before the games are released. Others include regional forms, alternate forms, costumes, Mega Evolutions, or special battle forms.
This is why one site may say 1,025, while another says 1,028 or an even larger number. Neither answer is automatically wrong. The real question is whether the list is counting official National Pokédex species, newly revealed species, or every visible form.
Do Regional Forms Count as New Pokémon?
Regional forms usually do not count as new National Pokédex species. Alolan Meowth, Galarian Meowth, and regular Meowth look different, but they do not each receive a separate main species number.
That does not make regional forms unimportant. They can have different types, abilities, designs, and uses in battle. They simply do not increase the core National Pokédex species count.
Do Mega Evolutions and Gigantamax Forms Count?
Mega Evolutions and Gigantamax forms also do not count as separate Pokémon species. They are special forms or transformations. Charizard is still Charizard, even when it appears as Mega Charizard X, Mega Charizard Y, or Gigantamax Charizard.
Final Answer
So, how many Pokémon are there? The strict official National Pokédex answer is 1,025 numbered Pokémon, from Bulbasaur #0001 to Pecharunt #1025. The broader current answer is 1,028 known species when the revealed Generation 10 starters are included.
For most readers, the safest wording is this: there are 1,025 officially numbered Pokémon, with 1,028 known Pokémon species after the latest revealed Gen 10 starters. Forms, regional variants, Mega Evolutions, and Gigantamax versions are interesting extras, but they are not counted as separate National Pokédex species.
FAQs
How many Pokémon are there in total?
There are 1,025 officially numbered Pokémon in the National Pokédex. If you include the latest revealed Generation 10 starter Pokémon, the known species count becomes 1,028.
What is the newest Pokémon?
The latest officially numbered Pokémon is Pecharunt #1025. Newer Gen 10 starters have also been revealed, but they are not yet part of the same fully released numbered Pokédex sequence.
Is Pikachu the first Pokémon?
No. Pikachu is #0025 in the National Pokédex. Bulbasaur is #0001.
Do Pokémon forms count as separate Pokémon?
Usually no. Regional forms, Mega Evolutions, Gigantamax forms, and special costumes generally do not count as separate species.
Will the number of Pokémon keep increasing?
Yes. The total usually increases when new mainline games, DLC, or major releases introduce new Pokémon species.
Fact-check note: This article separates “officially numbered National Pokédex species” from “known revealed species” because the count can change when new games are announced.
