Levelling in Pokémon Go is one of the most important systems in the game. The higher your Pokémon Go level, the more items you can use, and the more powerful your Pokémon Go can become.

At launch, the level cap was set at 40, and it wasn’t until November 2020 and the arrival of Season of Celebration in Pokémon Go that the level cap increase changed to level 50 - with a change to how levelling works along with it.

This page explains all level requirements up until the Pokémon Go level cap and other changes introduced to levelling alongside the Season of Celebrations update. And, if you’re still making the climb to higher levels, a list of level item rewards and what levelling opens up as you progress.

If you want to read more on specific techniques, our how to get XP fast in Pokémon Go explainer can help.

On this page:

  • Pokémon Go level cap and how levelling works
  • Pokémon Go levels 1 to 40 Requirements and rewards
  • Pokémon Go levels 41 to 50 requirements and rewards
  • When do you unlock item rewards in Pokémon Go as you level up?

Pokémon Go level cap and how levelling works

The Pokémon Go level cap is level 50, increasing ten levels from the previous level cap of 40 set at the game’s debut in the summer of 2016.

From level 1 to 40, the levelling is simple - you must simple acquire XP. Once you have reached the threshold, you’ll increase to the next level. Despite this, it’ll take you a very long to time reach level 40 - possibly years - so be patient, especially if you are a new player.

From level 41 to 50, as well as meeting a certain threshold of XP, you also need to complete certain challenges - named Level Up Research - in order to progress to the next level.

This includes earning certain medal types, catching a number of Pokémon within a set period, completing raids and much more. This is designed to make the levelling process as much as about skill as it is simply earning XP.

That’s the broad strokes of how levelling changes post 40. Here’s some other details worth knowing about how it will work:

  • As with levels 1 to 40, the CP cap of Pokémon will increase in line with your level. However, to level your Pokémon past level 40, you need to use a new resource type - XL Candy.
  • Any existing XP you have earned over Level 40 will contribute to the progress of future levels, meaning any additional XP reached once you hit your level will not go to waste, and will count when you complete the associated research and progress to the next level.

Though who managed to hit level 40 before the end of 2020 - the year the cap increase came into effect - saw them labelled a Legacy Level 40 player - unlocking a special Legacy Level 40 medal as well as the Legacy 40 Challenge quest.

Pokémon Go levels 1 to 40 requirements and rewards list

The following table breaks down how much experience is required to reach the next level, the total amount of XP required to reach that level from the start of the game (which, as you can see from level 20 onwards, gets progressively more demanding, and towards the level cap, requires millions to level up each time), the items you receive and the items you unlock that can then start appearing at PokéStops.

Thanks to The Silph Road Reddit and datamining efforts (as seen on Github) for the breakdown of the below.

Pokémon Go levels 41 to 50 requirements and rewards list

The following is an explainer of the requirements to reach every level from 40 up to the level cap of 50, and is sourced from several sources, including Ninatic and datamines (such as those on Silph Road subreddit - thanks specifically to twonaantom and Dildondo on reddit for the 49 and 50 level requirements).

From level 40, you need not only to gain a certain amount of XP, but also complete several specific challenges.

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.

When do you unlock item rewards in Pokémon Go as you level up?

The above table explains what you get at each level - both in terms of individual items and when certain items unlock and become regularly available at PokéStops - but here’s the list at a glance:

  • Level 5: Gyms, Potions, Revives
  • Level 8: Razz Berry
  • Level 10: Super Potion
  • Level 12: Great Ball
  • Level 15: Hyper Potion
  • Level 20: Ultra Ball
  • Level 25: Max Potion
  • Level 30: Max Revive, XL Candy