Pokémon Go Buddy distance chart for when Buddy Pokémon drop rewards

Pokémon Go Buddy Distances are essential for determining which Buddy Pokémon to accompany you as you explore the world to earn some extra Candy. Just like Egg hatching, this feature provides a background activity that rewards you after walking set distances with your chosen Buddy Pokémon.

The rewards vary depending on the Pokémon you choose to Buddy up with; rarer Pokémon generally take longer to yield Candy. Additionally, there are specific nuances and exceptions to consider within the Buddy system.

Buddy distances also influence the cost of unlocking a second move for your Pokémon, with longer distances requiring higher costs. Here’s what you need to know:

Why Pokémon Go’s Buddy Feature is Useful

To utilize the Buddy feature, tap your Trainer icon, select the menu icon for more options, and find the Buddy option listed there. After selecting a Pokémon, you will be given a distance goal to achieve. Upon reaching this target—be it 1km, 3km, or 5km—you’ll receive Candy as a reward.

The Buddy system is particularly beneficial for late-game activities such as powering up Pokémon for Gym battles and evolving creatures in your Pokédex. Since catching Pokémon in the wild or hatching them from Eggs can be challenging, the Buddy system provides a reliable method to accumulate Candy. For instance, if you catch a Dratini, walking with it as your Buddy will eventually help you evolve it into the elusive Dragonite.

Although you might only receive 1-2 Candy for every 5km walked, this method can prove advantageous over time.

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 forms)
• Cherrim

Gen 5:

• Patrat
• Watchog
• Lillipup
• Herdier
• Stoutland
• Purrloin
• Liepard
• Pidove
• Tranquil
• Unfezant
• Woobat
• Swoobat
• Sewaddle
• Swadloon
• Leavanny
• Venipede
• Whirlipede
• Scolipede
• Cottonee
• Whimsicott
• Petilil
• Lilligant
• Basculin (both Red and Blue-striped forms)
• 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
• Cutiefly
• Ribombee
• Stufful
• Bewear
• Wimpod
• Golisopod

Gen 8:

• Skwovet
• Greedent
• Obstagoon

Gen 9:

• Lechonk
• Oinkologne
• Nymble
• Lokix
• Tandemaus
• Maushold
• Tadbulb
• Bellibolt

3km Buddy Distance Chart

Gen 1:

• Bulbasaur
• Ivysaur
• Venusaur
• Charmander
• Charmeleon
• Charizard
• Squirtle
• Wartortle
• Blastoise
• Ekans
• Arbok
• Sandshrew
• Sandslash
• Nidoran (female)
• Nidorina
• Nidoqueen
• Nidoran (male)
• Nidorino
• Nidoking
• Vulpix
• Ninetales
• 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

Gen 2:

• Chikorita
• Bayleef
• Meganium
• Cyndaquil
• Quilava
• Typhlosion
• 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
• Donphan
• Porygon2
• Stantler
• Smeargle

Gen 3:

• 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

Gen 4:

• 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
• Buneary
• Lopunny
• Mismagius
• Honchkrow
• Glameow
• Purugly
• Stunky
• Skuntank
• Bronzor
• Bronzong
• Hippopotas
• Hippowdon
• Croagunk
• Toxicroak
• Finneon
• Lumineon
• Snover
• Abomasnow
• Weavile
• Magnezone
• Lickilicky
• Rhyperior
• Tangrowth
• Togekiss
• Yanmega
• Mamoswine
• Porygon-Z
• Probopass
• Dusknoir
• Froslass

Gen 5:

• 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

Gen 6:

• Chespin
• Quilladin
• Chesnaught
• Fennekin
• Braixen
• Delphox
• Froakie
• Frogadier
• Greninja
• Litleo
• Pyroar
• Flabébé
• Floette
• Florges
• Pancham
• Pangoro
• Espurr
• Meowstic
• Inkay
• Malamar
• Binacle
• Barbaracle
• Skrelp
• Clauncher
• Dragalge
• Clawitzer
• Helioptile
• Heliolisk
• Dedenne
• Klefki
• Bergmite
• Avalugg

Gen 7:

• Rowlet
• Dartrix
• Decidueye
• Litten
• Torracat
• Incineroar
• Popplio
• Brionne
• Primarina
• Crabrawler
• Crabominable
• Oricorio
• Mareanie
• Toxapex
• Dewpider
• Araquanid
• Fomantis
• Lurantis
• Morelull
• Shiinotic
• Salandit
• Salazzle
• Bounsweet
• Steenee
• Tsareena
• Comfey
• Oranguru
• Passimian
• Sandygast
• Palossand
• Togedemaru
• Bruxish

Gen 8:

• Grookey
• Thwackey
• Rillaboom
• Scorbunny
• Raboot
• Cinderace
• Sobble
• Drizzile
• Inteleon
• Wooloo
• Dubwool
• Perrserker
• Sirfetch’d
• Runerigus

Gen 9:

• Sprigatito
• Floragato
• Meowscarada
• Fuecoco
• Crocalor
• Skeledirge
• Quaxly
• Quaxwell
• Quaquaval
• Pawmi
• Pawmo
• Pawmot
• Smoliv
• Dolliv
• Arboliva
• Wiglett
• Wugtrio
• Varoom
• Revavroom
• Greavard
• Houndstone
• Cetoddle
• Cetitan
• Annihilape
• Clodsire

5km Buddy Distance Chart

Gen 1:

• 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

Gen 2:

• 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

Gen 3:

• 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

Gen 4:

• Shinx
• Luxio
• Luxray
• Cranidos
• Rampardos
• Shieldon
• Bastiodon
• Pachirisu
• Drifloon
• 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

Gen 5:

• 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
• Larvesta
• Volcarona

Gen 6:

• Furfrou
• Tyrunt
• Tyrantrum
• Amaura
• Aurorus
• Phantump
• Trevenant
• Pumpkaboo
• Gourgeist
• Noibat
• Noivern

Gen 7:

• Rockruff
• Lycanroc
• Turtonator
• Drampa
• Jangmo-o
• Hakamo-o
• Kommo-o

Gen 8:

• Mr. Rime
• Falinks
• Stonjourner
• Dreepy
• Drakloak
• Dragapult
• Wyrdeer
• Kleavor

Gen 9:

• Charcadet
• Armarouge
• Ceruledge
• Bombirdier
• Frigibax
• Arctibax
• Baxcalibur
• Gimmighoul
• Gholdengo

20km Buddy Distances Explained

All Legendary Pokémon and Ultra Beasts require you to walk 20km before they yield Candy. This includes Pokémon like Articuno, Moltres, and Zapdos from Gen 1, as well as Lugia and Ho-Oh from Gen 2, among others.

Due to the extensive distances required, it’s advisable to use Rare Candy to level up these creatures instead of relying solely on walking distances.

Other Things to Know About Pokémon Go’s Buddy System

• While most Pokémon follow you on the Trainer screen, walking 10km with Pikachu will allow it to sit on your shoulder, showcasing your close friendship. Similarly, Togepi will be held in your arms.
• Contrary to some beliefs, you do not earn XP for walking your Buddy Pokémon; you only receive Candy.
• There appears to be no daily limit on the amount of Candy you can earn through the Buddy system.
• Using a Pokémon Go Plus will contribute to the distance walked for your Buddy, similar to hatching Eggs.
• Pokémon assigned as your Buddy cannot be withdrawn from your inventory to defend a Gym, so consider using a lower tier of that Pokémon’s evolution chain.
• All creatures within the same evolution line require the same walking distance to earn Candy.
• Fainted Pokémon can still be used as your Buddy.
• Evolving your Pokémon resets the Candy counter, so plan your evolutions accordingly.
• Buddy distances also factor into the cost of unlocking a second move for your Pokémon, with longer distances leading to higher costs.