Pokémon Go Buddy Distances allow you to work out which Buddy to accompany you everywhere you go to earn some free Candy.
Similar to Egg hatching in Pokémon Go, it’s a background activity that you set and, after a certain distance, will give you rewards.
It’ll work slightly differently according to which Pokémon you Buddy up with - in short, rarer Pokémon will take longer to produce Candy - and there’s a few quirks and exceptions you should take note of, too.
Buddy distances also correspond to the cost of unlocking a second move for a Pokémon, with further distances requiring higher costs.
On this page:
- Why Pokémon Go’s Buddy feature is useful
- 1km Buddy Distance chart
- 3km Buddy Distance chart
- 5km Buddy Distance chart
- 20km Buddy Distances explained
- Other things to know about Pokémon Go’s Buddy system
Why Pokémon Go’s Buddy feature is useful
To enable Pokémon Go’s Buddy feature, tap your Trainer icon in the corner, select the burger icon in the bottom right corner (for more options) and it’s listed there.
Then, select the Pokémon of your choosing, and you’ll be given a goal in kilometers to travel. Once you have reached the target - be it 1km, 3km or 5km, depending on the creature - you’ll be given some Candy.
Pokémon Go’s Buddy feature allows you to work towards two late-game activities; powering up your Pokémon to take on Gyms, and filling out your Pokedex by evolving the creatures you’ve already caught.
In order to get more Candy you have to either catch it in the wild or hatch it from an Egg, and since the best Pokémon are usually the hardest to find, Candy is also very difficult to come by.
The Buddy system solves this problem quite nicely. For example, if you provided you catch one Dratini, as long as you keep walking and collecting Candy from your Buddy, you’ll one day get your hands on that all elusive Dragonite.
Though, with 1-2 Candy dropping every 5km walked, it could take a while!
Thanks to The Silph Road reddit for help with the below lists, including SilverKylin for Gen 4 listings.
1km Buddy Distance chart
Gen 1:
- Caterpie
- Metapod
- Butterfree
- Weedle
- Kakuna
- Beedrill
- Pidgey
- Pidgeotto
- Pidgeot
- Rattata
- Raticate
- Spearow
- Fearow
- Pikachu
- Raichu
- Clefairy
- Clefable
- Jigglypuff
- Wigglytuff
- Zubat
- Golbat
- Geodude
- Graveler
- Golem
- Magikarp
- Gyarados
Gen 2:
- Sentret
- Furret
- Hoothoot
- Noctowl
- Ledyba
- Ledian
- Spinarak
- Ariados
- Crobat
- Pichu
- Cleffa
- Igglybuff
- Slugma
- Magcargo
- Remoraid
- Octillery
Gen 3:
- Poochyena
- Mightyena
- Zigzagoon
- Linoone
- Wurmple
- Silcoon
- Beautifly
- Cascoon
- Dustox
- Taillow
- Swellow
- Surskit
- Masquerain
- Whismur
- Loudred
- Exploud
- Aron
- Lairon
- Aggron
- Gulpin
- Swalot
- Wailmer
- Wailord
- Spoink
- Grumpig
- Swablu
- Altaria
- Barboach
- Whiscash
Gen 4:
- Starly
- Staravia
- Staraptor
- Bidoof
- Bibarel
- Kriketot
- Kricketune
- Burmy (any cloak)
- Wormadam (any cloak)
- Mothim
- Cherubi (both Overcast and Sunny form)
- Cherrim
Gen 5:
- Patrat
- Watchog
- Lillipup
- Herdier
- Stoutland
- Purrloin
- Liepard
- Pidove
- Tranquil
- Unfezant
- Woobat
- Swoobat
- Sewaddle
- Swadloon
- Leavanny
- Venipede
- Whirlipede
- Scolipede
- Cottonee
- Whimsicott
- Petili
- Liligant
- Basculin (both Red and Blue-striped form)
- Maractus
- Dwebble
- Crustle
- Emolga
- Tynamo
- Eelektrik
- Eelektross
Gen 6:
- Bunnelby
- Diggersby
- Fletchling
- Fletchinder
- Talonflame
- Scatterbug
- Spewpa
- Vivillon
Gen 7:
- Pikipek
- Trumbeak
- Toucannon
- Yungoos
- Gumshoos
- Grubbin
- Charjabug
- Vikavolt
- Stufful
- Bewear
- Wimpod
- Golisopod
Gen 8:
- Skwovet
- Greedent
- Obstagoon
3km Buddy Distance chart
Bulbasaur
Ivysaur
Venusaur
Charmander
Charmeleon
Charizard
Squirtle
Wartortle
Blastoise
Ekans
Arbok
Sandshrew
Sandslash
Nidoran♀
Nidorina
Nidoqueen
Nidoran♂
Nidorino
Nidoking
Vulpix
Ninetails
Oddish
Gloom
Vileplume
Paras
Parasect
Venonat
Venomoth
Diglett
Dugtrio
Meowth
Persian
Psyduck
Golduck
Mankey
Primeape
Growlithe
Arcanine
Poliwag
Poliwhirl
Poliwrath
Abra
Kadabra
Alakazam
Machop
Machoke
Machamp
Bellsprout
Weepinbell
Victreebel
Tentacool
Tentacruel
Ponyta
Rapidash
Slowpoke
Slowbro
Magnemite
Magneton
Doduo
Dodrio
Seel
Dewgong
Grimer
Muk
Shellder
Cloyster
Gastly
Haunter
Gengar
Drowzee
Hypno
Krabby
Kingler
Voltorb
Electrode
Exeggcute
Exeggutor
Cubone
Marowak
Lickitung
Koffing
Weezing
Rhyhorn
Rhydon
Tangela
Kangaskhan
Horsea
Seadra
Goldeen
Seaking
Staryu
Starmie
Tauros
Ditto
Porygon
Chikorita
Bayleef
Maganium
Cyndaquil
Quilava
Tyhlosion
Totodile
Croconaw
Feraligatr
Chinchou
Lanturn
Togepi
Togetic
Natu
Xatu
Bellossom
Marill
Azumarill
Politoed
Hoppip
Skiploom
Jumpluff
Aipom
Sunkern
Sunflora
Yanma
Wooper
Quagsire
Murkrow
Slowking
Misdreavus
Wobbuffet
Girafarig
Dunsparce
Snubbull
Granbull
Quilfish
Shuckle
Heracross
Sneasel
Teddiursa
Ursaring
Swinub
Piloswine
Corsola
Houndour
Houndoom
Kingdra
Phanpy
Dolphan
Porygon2
Stantler
Smeargle
Treecko
Grovyle
Sceptile
Torchic
Combusken
Blaziken
Mudkip
Marshtomp
Swampert
Lotad
Lombre
Ludicolo
Seedot
Nuzleaf
Shiftry
Wingull
Pelipper
Shroomish
Breloom
Makuhita
Hariyama
Azurill
Nosepass
Skitty
Delcatty
Meditite
Medicham
Electrike
Manectric
Plusle
Minun
Volbeat
Illumise
Roselia
Carvanha
Sharpedo
Numel
Camerupt
Torkoal
Spinda
Cacnea
Cacturne
Zangoose
Seviper
Lunatone
Solrock
Corphish
Crawdaunt
Baltoy
Claydol
Lileep
Cradily
Anorith
Armaldo
Shuppet
Banette
Duskull
Dusclops
Wynaut
Snorunt
Glalie
Spheal
Sealeo
Walrein
Clamperl
Huntail
Gorebyss
Luvdisc
Turtwig
Grotle
Torterra
Chimchar
Monferno
Infernape
Piplup
Prinplup
Empoleon
Budew
Roserade
Combee
Vespiquen
Buizel
Floatzel
Shellos (both West and East Coast forms)
Gastrodon (both West and East Coast forms)
Ambipom
Bunerary
Lopunny
Mismagius
Honchkrow
Glameow
Purugly
Stunky
Skuntank
Bronzor
Bronzong
Hippopotas
Hippowdon
Croagunk
Toxicroak
Finneon
Lumineon
Snover
Abomasnow
Weavile
Magnezone
Licklicky
Rhyperior
Tangrowth
Togekiss
Yanmega
Mamoswine
Porygon-Z
Probopass
Dusknoir
Froslass
Snivy
Servine
Serperior
Tepig
Pignite
Emboar
Oshawott
Dewott
Samurott
Pansage
Simisage
Pansear
Simisear
Panpour
Simipour
Blitzle
Zebstrika
Roggenrola
Boldore
Gigalith
Drilbur
Excadrill
Audino
Tympole
Palpitoad
Seismitoad
Darumaka
Darmanitan
Scraggy
Scrafty
Yamask
Cofagrigus
Trubbish
Garbodor
Minccino
Cinccino
Gothita
Gothorita
Gothitelle
Solosis
Duosion
Reuniclus
Ducklett
Swanna
Vanillite
Vanillish
Vanilluxe
Deerling
Sawsbuck
Karrablast
Escavalier
Foongus
Amoonguss
Joltik
Galvantula
Ferroseed
Ferrothorn
Elgyem
Beheeyem
Cubchoo
Beartic
Shelmet
Accelgor
Mienfoo
Mienshao
Bouffalant
Heatmor
Durant
Chespin
Quilladin
Chesnaught
Fennekin
Braixen
Delphox
Froakie
Frogadier
Greninja
Litleo
Pyroar
Falbébe
Floette
Florges
Pancham
Pangoro
Espurr
Meowstic
Inkay
Malamar
Binacle
Barbaracle
Skrelp
Dragalge
Clauncher
Clawitzer
Helioptile
Heliolisk
Dedenne
Klefki
Bergmite
Avalugg
Rowlet
Dartrix
Decidueye
Litten
Torracat
Incineroar
Popplio
Brionne
Primarina
Crabrawler
Crabominable
Oricorio
Mareanie
Toxapex
Dewpider
Araquanid
Fomantis
Lurantis
Morelull
Shiinotic
Salandit
Salazzle
Comfey
Oranguru
Togedemaru
Wooloo
Dubwool
Perrserker
Sirfetch’d
Runerigus
5km Buddy Distance chart
Onix
Hitmonlee
Hitmonchan
Chansey
Mr. Mime
Scyther
Jynx
Electabuzz
Magmar
Pinsir
Lapras
Eevee
Vaporeon
Jolteon
Flareon
Omanyte
Omastar
Kabuto
Kabutops
Aerodactyl
Snorlax
Dratini
Dragonair
Dragonite
Mareep
Flaaffy
Ampharos
Sudowoodo
Espeon
Umbreon
Unown
Pineco
Forretress
Gligar
Steelix
Scizor
Delibird
Mantine
Skarmory
Tyrogue
Hitmontop
Smoochum
Elekid
Magby
Miltank
Blissey
Larvitar
Pupitar
Tyranitar
Ralts
Kirlia
Gardevoir
Slakoth
Vigoroth
Slaking
Nincada
Ninjask
Shedinja
Sableye
Mawile
Trapinch
Vibrava
Flygon
Feebas
Milotic
Castform
Kecleon
Tropius
Chimecho
Absol
Relicanth
Bagon
Shelgon
Salamence
Beldum
Metang
Metagross
Shinx
Luxio
Luxray
Cranidos
Rampardos
Shieldon
Bastiodon
Pachirisu
Driloon
Drifblim
Chingling
Bonsly
Mime Jr.
Happiny
Chatot
Spiritomb
Gible
Gabite
Garchomp
Munchlax
Riolu
Lucario
Skorupi
Drapion
Carnivine
Mantyke
Electivire
Magmortar
Leafeon
Glaceon
Gliscor
Gallade
Rotom
Timburr
Gurdurr
Conkeldurr
Throh
Sawk
Sandile
Krokorok
Krookodile
Sigilyph
Tirtouga
Carracosta
Archen
Archeops
Zorua
Zoroark
Alomomola
Klink
Klang
Klinklang
Litwick
Lampent
Chandelure
Axew
Fraxure
Haxorus
Cryogonal
Stunfisk
Druddigon
Golett
Golurk
Pawniard
Bisharp
Rufflet
Braviary
Vullaby
Mandibuzz
Deino
Zweilous
Hydreigon
Furfrou
Tyrunt
Tyrantrum
Amaura
Aurorus
Phantump
Trevenant
Pumpkaboo
Gourgeist
Noibat
Noivern
Rockruff
Lycanroc
Jangmo-o
Hakamo-o
Kommo-o
Mr. Rime
Falinks
20km Buddy Distances explained
All Legendary Pokemon and Ultra Beast require 20km before they drop Candy, such as the Articuno, Moltres and Zapdos from Gen 1, Lugia and Ho-Oh from Gen 2, and so on.
With such high distances, we recommend you use Rare Candy to level up these creatures instead.
The Season of Mythical Wishes has seen Kecleon finally being released in Pokémon Go!
The Crackling Voltage event is currently running and it has brought as a new Team Go Rocket quest - Shadowy Skirmishes! The team lineups for Giovanni and the Team Go Rocket Leaders has also changed.
Don’t forget to partake in the new Go Battle League season.
Elsewhere, be sure to use Daily Adventure Incense for the chance of encountering Galarian Articuno, Galarian Zapdos and Galarian Moltres. This incense may also give you encounters with other rare Pokémon in Pokémon Go.
Other things to know about Pokémon Go’s Buddy system
- While most Pokémon will be alongside you on the Trainer screen, walking a total of 10km with Pikachu as your Buddy will see him sit on your shoulder, showing a sign of your close friendship. Togepi, meanwhile, will be held in your arms. Cute!
- Contrary to some rumours, you don’t receive any XP for walking your Buddy Pokémon, just Candy.
- It’s believed there is no daily limit to the amount of Candy you can earn through the Buddy system in one day.
- Like hatching Eggs, using Pokémon Go Plus will contribute to the distance walked for your Buddy.
- Any Pokémon currently assigned as your Buddy can’t be withdrawn from your inventory to defend a friendly Gym. To get around this, be sure to use a lower tier of that Pokémon evolution family (a Dratini instead of a Dragonite, for example) or just another of that same creature. You can, however, use it to fight in Gyms.
- All creatures in the same evolution chain require the same amount of walking distance for Candy to drop - allowing you to put their later evolutions to work in Gyms.
- Pokémon that have fainted can be used as your Buddy.
- Evolving your Pokémon will reset your Candy counter, so time those evolutions wisely.
- Buddy distances are used to calculate the cost of unlocking a second move for a Pokémon. The further the distance, the higher the cost.
