Pokémon Type Chart — Full Effectiveness Matrix
The Pokémon type chart shows the complete 18×18 effectiveness matrix for all type matchups. Understanding the Pokémon type chart is essential for building winning teams and mastering battles. Our interactive Pokémon type chart makes it easy to find strengths, weaknesses, and immunities for every type combination.
The complete Pokémon type chart covering all 18 types and their effectiveness against each other. Find out which moves are super effective (2x damage), normal (1x), not very effective (0.5x), or useless (0x). Hover over any cell to see the exact multiplier. Essential for competitive battles, Nuzlocke challenges, and team building.
Pokemon Type Effectiveness Chart
Complete type matchup chart. Rows are the attacking type, columns are the defending type. Hover any row or column to highlight.
| Atk \ Def | no | fi | wa | el | gr | ic | fi | po | gr | fl | ps | bu | ro | gh | dr | da | st | fa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
normal | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0× | — | — | — | — |
fire | — | — | — | — | 2× | 2× | — | — | — | — | — | 2× | — | — | — | — | 2× | — |
water | — | 2× | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2× | — | — | — | 2× | — | — | — | — | — |
electric | — | — | 2× | — | — | — | — | — | 0× | 2× | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
grass | — | — | 2× | — | — | — | — | — | 2× | 2× | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
ice | — | — | — | — | 2× | — | — | — | 2× | 2× | — | — | — | — | 2× | — | — | — |
fighting | 2× | — | — | — | — | 2× | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2× | 0× | — | — | 2× | — |
poison | — | — | — | — | 2× | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0× | 2× |
ground | — | 2× | — | 2× | — | — | — | 2× | — | 0× | — | — | 2× | — | — | — | 2× | — |
flying | — | — | — | — | 2× | — | 2× | — | — | — | — | 2× | — | — | — | — | — | — |
psychic | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2× | 2× | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0× | — | — |
bug | — | — | — | — | 2× | — | — | — | — | — | 2× | — | — | — | — | 2× | — | — |
rock | — | 2× | — | — | — | 2× | — | — | — | 2× | — | 2× | — | — | — | — | — | — |
ghost | 0× | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2× | — | — | 2× | — | — | — | — |
dragon | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2× | — | — | 0× |
dark | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2× | — | — | 2× | — | — | — | 2× |
steel | — | — | — | — | — | 2× | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2× | — | — | — | — | 2× |
fairy | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2× | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2× | 2× | — | — |
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Understanding Type Effectiveness
Pokémon battles are decided by type effectiveness. A super effective move deals 2x damage, while a not very effective move deals 0.5x damage. Some type combinations are completely immune to certain moves — for example, Ghost-type Pokémon take zero damage from Normal and Fighting moves. Dual-typed Pokémon multiply these effectiveness values: a Water/Ground Pokémon like Swampert takes 4x damage from Grass moves because both Water and Ground are weak to Grass.
The 18 Pokémon Types
There are 18 Pokémon types in the main series games: Normal, Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Ground, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Rock, Ghost, Dragon, Dark, Steel, and Fairy. The first 15 types were introduced in Generation 1, Dark and Steel were added in Generation 2, and Fairy was added in Generation 6 to balance the Dragon type. Each type has its own strengths, weaknesses, and immunities.
Type Strategy for Battles
A strong team covers multiple types offensively and defensively. Offensively, aim to have moves that hit at least 6-8 types for super effective damage. Defensively, try to avoid having multiple Pokémon weak to the same type. Common defensive cores include Steel/Fairy (immune to Dragon, resists many types) and Water/Ground (only weak to Grass). Type synergy is more important than raw stats in competitive battles.
Dual Typing and Multipliers
When a Pokémon has two types, the effectiveness of a move is the product of the effectiveness against each type. For example, a Bug-type move against a Psychic/Grass Pokémon deals 4x damage (2x for Psychic, 2x for Grass, multiplied together). A Fire-type move against a Water/Dragon Pokémon deals 0.25x damage (0.5x for Water, 0.5x for Dragon). Understanding these multipliers is key to predicting battle outcomes.
Type Chart Changes Across Generations
The type chart has evolved over the years. In Generation 1, Bug and Poison were super effective against each other, and Ghost had no effect on Psychic (a bug). Generation 2 introduced Dark and Steel, rebalanced several matchups, and made Ghost effective against Psychic. Generation 6 introduced Fairy, which is super effective against Dragon, Dark, and Fighting, and immune to Dragon. Our chart reflects the current Generation 9 mechanics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many types are in Pokémon?
There are 18 Pokémon types: Normal, Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Ground, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Rock, Ghost, Dragon, Dark, Steel, and Fairy.
What does super effective mean?
A super effective move deals 2x damage to the target. If the target is dual-typed and both types are weak to the move, it deals 4x damage.
What is the strongest type defensively?
Steel is widely considered the strongest defensive type, with 10 resistances and 1 immunity. Fairy and Fire are also excellent defensive types.
What is the strongest type offensively?
Offensive strength depends on the meta, but Fairy, Ground, and Fire are consistently strong due to hitting many types for super effective damage.
How does dual typing work?
When a Pokémon has two types, the effectiveness of each move is the product of the effectiveness against each type. For example, a Fire move against a Grass/Ice Pokémon deals 4x damage (2x × 2x).
Related Pokémon Tools
Pokémon Type Chart — Complete Effectiveness Guide
Understanding the Pokémon Type System
The Pokémon type system is the foundation of battle strategy in the franchise. There are 18 types in total: Normal, Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Ground, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Rock, Ghost, Dragon, Dark, Steel, and Fairy. Each type has strengths and weaknesses against other types, creating a complex rock paper scissors system that determines battle outcomes. For example, Water type moves are super effective against Fire, Ground, and Rock type Pokémon, but not very effective against Grass and Water types. Understanding these matchups is essential for success in both casual playthroughs and competitive battles.
How to Read the Type Chart
Our type chart is displayed as an 18 by 18 matrix where each row represents an attacking type and each column represents a defending type. The cells are color coded to show the effectiveness of each matchup. Green cells indicate super effective 2x damage, red cells indicate not very effective 0.5x damage, black cells indicate no effect 0x damage, and gray cells indicate normal effectiveness 1x damage. Dual type Pokémon have their weaknesses and resistances calculated by multiplying the effectiveness of each type. For example, a Water and Ground type Pokémon like Swampert takes 4x damage from Grass type moves because both Water and Ground are weak to Grass.
Dual Type Pokémon and Combined Effectiveness
Most Pokémon have two types, which creates a more complex effectiveness profile. When a Pokémon has two types, the effectiveness of each move is calculated by multiplying the effectiveness against each type. For example, if a Fire type move is used against a Bug and Grass type Pokémon, the effectiveness is 2x super effective against Bug multiplied by 2x super effective against Grass, which equals 4x damage. Conversely, if a Fire type move is used against a Water and Dragon type Pokémon, the effectiveness is 0.5x not very effective against Water multiplied by 0.5x not very effective against Dragon, which equals 0.25x damage. Understanding these combinations is key to mastering Pokémon battles.
Type Effectiveness in Competitive Play
In competitive Pokémon play, type effectiveness is even more important than in casual play because every move counts and every damage calculation matters. Competitive players memorize the type chart and can quickly calculate the effectiveness of any move against any dual type combination. This allows them to make informed decisions about which moves to use, which Pokémon to switch in, and which threats to prioritize. Many competitive players use tools like our type chart as a reference during team building to ensure that their team has good type coverage and no glaring weaknesses.
Changes to the Type System Over Generations
The Pokémon type system has evolved over the generations. The original 15 types were introduced in Generation 1. In Generation 2, two new types were added: Dark and Steel, to balance the overpowered Psychic type from Generation 1. In Generation 6, the Fairy type was introduced to balance the Dragon type and give Poison and Steel types more offensive utility. The Fairy type was a significant addition that changed the competitive landscape, as it is super effective against Dragon, Dark, and Fighting types, and is immune to Dragon type moves. Our type chart reflects the current 18 type system as of Generation 9.
Same Type Attack Bonus STAB
Same Type Attack Bonus, or STAB, is a mechanic that gives a 1.5x damage bonus to moves that are the same type as the Pokémon using them. For example, if a Charizard Fire and Flying type uses Flamethrower a Fire type move, the damage is multiplied by 1.5 because Charizard is a Fire type. This encourages players to use moves that match their Pokémon typing and makes type coverage an important consideration in team building. When building a team, you should aim to have STAB moves for each of your Pokémon types as well as coverage moves to handle types that your team might struggle against.
Type Chart History and Evolution
The Pokémon type system has evolved significantly over the course of the franchise. In Generation 1, there were 15 types: Normal, Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Ground, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Rock, Ghost, and Dragon. The Psychic type was extremely overpowered in Generation 1 because its only weaknesses were Bug and Ghost, and there were no strong Bug or Ghost type moves available. In Generation 2, two new types were added: Dark and Steel. The Dark type was added to counter Psychic, as Dark is immune to Psychic and super effective against Psychic. The Steel type was added to provide more defensive options, as Steel resists 11 types including Dragon. In Generation 6, the Fairy type was introduced to counter Dragon, which had become dominant in competitive play. Fairy is immune to Dragon, super effective against Dragon, and weak to Steel and Poison, giving those types more offensive utility.
Immunities in the Type Chart
Some type matchups result in complete immunity, meaning the defending Pokémon takes no damage from the attack. Normal is immune to Ghost, meaning Normal type Pokémon cannot be hit by Ghost type moves and Ghost type Pokémon cannot be hit by Normal type moves. Flying is immune to Ground, meaning Flying type Pokémon take no damage from Ground type moves like Earthquake and Spikes. This immunity can be removed by the moves Smack Down, Thousand Arrows, and the ability Iron Ball. Steel is immune to Poison, meaning Steel type Pokémon cannot be poisoned. This is in addition to Steel resisting 11 types, making it the most defensive type in the game. Dark is immune to Psychic, meaning Dark type Pokémon cannot be hit by Psychic type moves. Fairy is immune to Dragon, meaning Fairy type Pokémon cannot be hit by Dragon type moves, which was added in Generation 6 to balance the Dragon type. Ghost is immune to Normal and Fighting, meaning Ghost type Pokémon cannot be hit by Normal or Fighting type moves.
Type Effectiveness Multipliers
Type effectiveness in Pokémon is calculated using multipliers that stack when a Pokémon has two types. A super effective move deals 2x damage, while a not very effective move deals 0.5x damage. When a dual type Pokémon is attacked, the effectiveness against each type is multiplied together. For example, if a Water type move is used against a Fire and Ground type Pokémon, the effectiveness is 2x against Fire multiplied by 2x against Ground, which equals 4x damage. Conversely, if a Water type move is used against a Water and Dragon type Pokémon, the effectiveness is 0.5x against Water multiplied by 0.5x against Dragon, which equals 0.25x damage. Some type combinations can result in 4x weaknesses, like Bug and Steel against Fire, or 4x resistances, like Steel and Fairy against Bug. Understanding these multipliers is essential for competitive play.
Defensive and Offensive Type Ratings
In competitive Pokémon play, types are often evaluated based on their defensive and offensive ratings. Defensively, Steel is considered the best type because it resists 11 types including Dragon, Fairy, and Ice, and is only weak to Fire, Fighting, and Ground. Fairy is also a strong defensive type, being immune to Dragon and resisting Fighting, Bug, and Dark. Water is a versatile defensive type with only two weaknesses Grass and Electric and four resistances. Offensively, Fairy is considered one of the best types because it is super effective against Dragon, Dark, and Fighting, all of which are common in competitive play. Ground is also a strong offensive type, being super effective against 5 types including Electric, Fire, Poison, Rock, and Steel. Ice is the best offensive type for hitting Dragon types, being super effective against Dragon, Flying, Grass, and Ground.
Type Chart for Competitive Singles
In competitive Singles play, the type chart is used differently than in Doubles. In Singles, type coverage is about being able to hit as many types as possible for super effective or at least neutral damage. Common coverage moves include Earthquake for hitting Steel, Rock, Fire, Electric, and Poison types, and Ice Beam for hitting Dragon, Flying, Grass, and Ground types. Thunderbolt is used for hitting Water and Flying types, while Flamethrower covers Grass, Bug, Ice, and Steel types. Focus Blast is used for hitting Normal, Ice, Rock, Dark, and Steel types, though its low accuracy can be a drawback. In Singles, having good type coverage on your team is essential for breaking through defensive cores and handling a wide range of threats. Understanding the type chart is the foundation of successful Singles team building.
Type Chart for VGC and Doubles
In VGC Video Game Championships and Doubles play, the type chart is used differently than in Singles. In Doubles, type effectiveness is important, but type synergy between teammates and protecting your partner are equally important. Common Doubles strategies include using Follow Me or Rage Powder to redirect attacks away from a setup sweeper, using Protect to scout the opponent moves and avoid taking damage, and using spread moves like Earthquake and Dazzling Gleam that hit both opponents. The ability Telepathy is useful in Doubles for avoiding damage from ally spread moves. Types that are commonly seen in VGC include Fairy for hitting Dragon types, Steel for defensive synergy, and Ghost for being immune to Normal and Fighting type moves. Understanding the type chart is crucial for VGC success, but it must be combined with an understanding of Doubles specific mechanics.
Type Chart for Team Building
When building a Pokémon team, the type chart is your most important reference tool. A well-balanced team should have defensive type coverage that minimizes shared weaknesses, and offensive type coverage that can hit as many types as possible for super effective damage. Use our type chart to plan your team composition, identify potential weaknesses, and find Pokémon types that complement each other defensively. For example, pairing a Water type with a Fire type can cover each other's weaknesses, as Water resists Fire and Fire resists Grass and Ice. Similarly, adding a Steel type to your team provides excellent defensive synergy, as Steel resists 11 types including Dragon, Fairy, and Ice. Remember that dual-type Pokémon have combined effectiveness profiles, so consider both types when evaluating defensive matchups. A Pokémon with two types that both resist a common offensive type will take only 0.25x damage from that type, making it an excellent counter.
In addition to defensive type synergy, you should also consider offensive type coverage when building a team. Each Pokémon should have STAB moves that take advantage of Same Type Attack Bonus, plus coverage moves that can handle types that resist or are immune to your STAB moves. For example, a Fire type Pokémon should have coverage moves that can hit Water, Rock, and Dragon types, which resist Fire type moves. Common coverage moves include Earthquake for hitting Steel, Rock, Fire, Electric, and Poison types, Thunderbolt for hitting Water and Flying types, and Ice Beam for hitting Dragon, Flying, Grass, and Ground types. Use our Type Chart to identify which types your team struggles against and find coverage moves that can handle those threats. A team with good type coverage both offensively and defensively will be well-equipped to handle a wide range of opponents.
How to Use the Pokémon Type Chart
The Pokémon type chart is an essential tool for every Pokémon trainer. Using the Pokémon type chart, you can quickly determine which moves will be super effective against your opponents and which types your Pokémon are weak to. The Pokémon type chart shows all 18 types and their interactions, making it easy to plan your battles. To use the Pokémon type chart, simply find the attacking type on the left side and the defending type on the top. The intersection shows the effectiveness multiplier. The Pokémon type chart is especially useful for competitive battling, where every type matchup matters. Keep the Pokémon type chart handy during your battles to always make the best decisions.