TL;DR. Butterfree is a bug/flying-type Pokémon from Generation I. Base Stat Total: 395. In battle, it flaps its wings at high speed to release highly toxic dust into the air.
In battle, it flaps its wings at high speed to release highly toxic dust into the air.
Stat spread.
Total of 395. Higher peaks mean specialized roles, flat spreads favor versatility.
Rankings computed across all 1025 base-species Pokémon (Mega and Gigantamax forms excluded). Source: National Pokédex base stats.
Butterfree in Pokémon GO.
Pokémon GO uses its own hand-tuned base stats, distinct from the main-series spread above. At a perfect 15/15/15, Butterfree reaches 1,827 CP at level 40 and 2,090 CP as a best buddy.
Run the numbers: CP & HP calculator · PvP IV optimizer · Catch CP calculator
Shiny release
The first Shiny in the Caterpie family appeared on November 1, 2018.
- Caterpie
- Dynamax
- Gigantamax Butterfree
- Metapod and Butterfree by encounter
Recent raid runs
Last in raids: Jan 10 to Jan 19, 2025, 3-star (Fashionable costume).
| Dates | Raid | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 10 to Jan 19, 2025 | 3-starFashionable costume | Fashion Week |
| Nov 15 to Nov 19, 2023 | 3-starFashionable costume | Fashion Week 2023 |
| Aug 10 to Aug 18, 2022 | 3-star | Regular rotation |
| Mar 22 to Mar 30, 2022 | 3-star | Lush Jungle |
| Apr 28 to May 1, 2020 | 4-star | Regular rotation |
Butterfree in competitive play.
Recommended builds and battle rankings for Butterfree across the current metagames. In Pokémon GO it ranks #1137 in the Great League.
Build around it: GO PvP IV optimizer · Team builder · Ask Dia
Sets and GO ranks last checked 2026-10-20.
Common questions about Butterfree.
Direct, sourced answers to the most-asked questions about Butterfree, each computed straight from its Pokédex data.
What type is Butterfree?
Butterfree is a Bug/Flying-type Pokémon. Dual-typing stacks weaknesses and resistances. see the full matchup table below.
What is Butterfree weak to?
Butterfree takes 4× damage from Rock. its biggest defensive liability. It also takes 2× damage from Fire, Electric, Ice, Flying.
What is Butterfree resistant to?
Butterfree is immune to Ground. It also resists Bug, Grass, Fighting.
How does Butterfree evolve?
Butterfree evolves from Metapod (Level 10). Butterfree evolves into Gigantamax Butterfree (Gigantamax in Pokemon Sword / Shield (Dynamax level 10, battle-only)).
What generation is Butterfree from?
Butterfree was introduced in Generation I (the Kanto region). Its Pokédex number is #0012.
What are Butterfree's base stats?
Butterfree has HP 60, Attack 45, Defense 50, Special Attack 90, Special Defense 80, and Speed 70. Total base stat total: 395.
What are Butterfree's abilities?
Butterfree can have the ability Compound Eyes, plus the Hidden Ability Tinted Lens.
Is Butterfree legendary or mythical?
No. Butterfree is a regular Pokémon, not classified as Legendary or Mythical.
What is Butterfree's best stat?
Butterfree's highest base stat is Special Attack at 90, which ranks 39th of 188 Bug-type Pokémon.
Is Butterfree good?
Butterfree has a base stat total of 395, the 640th-highest of all 1025 Pokémon species and 107th among Bug-types. That is a modest total, typical of an unevolved or utility Pokémon.
This Pokémon has forms.
Through the generations.
Butterfree as drawn across two decades of Pokémon games, plus the modern Pokémon HOME render. Hit the cry button to hear it.
In battle.
Damage multipliers when Butterfree is hit by each attacking type. 4× is two stacked weaknesses, ¼× is two stacked resistances.
Butterfree vs. the average Bug-type.
Each base stat measured against the mean across all 188 Bug-type Pokémon.
| Stat | Butterfree | Bug avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP | 60 | 64 | -4 |
| Attack | 45 | 73 | -28 |
| Defense | 50 | 68 | -18 |
| Special Attack | 90 | 64 | +26 |
| Special Defense | 80 | 66 | +14 |
| Speed | 70 | 72 | -2 |
| Total | 395 | 407 | -12 |
Butterfree appears in 33 games.
Every mainline release where Butterfree is obtainable, has a dex entry, or is transferable. Grouped by generation.
- 1998 Blue
- 1998 Red
- 1999 Yellow
- 2000 Gold
- 2000 Silver
- 2001 Crystal
- 2003 Ruby
- 2003 Sapphire
- 2004 FireRed
- 2004 LeafGreen
- 2005 Emerald
- 2007 Diamond
- 2007 Pearl
- 2009 Platinum
- 2010 HeartGold
- 2010 SoulSilver
- 2011 Black
- 2011 White
- 2012 Black 2
- 2012 White 2
- 2013 X
- 2013 Y
- 2014 Alpha Sapphire
- 2014 Omega Ruby
- 2016 Moon
- 2016 Sun
- 2017 Ultra Moon
- 2017 Ultra Sun
- 2018 Let's Go, Eevee!
- 2018 Let's Go, Pikachu!
- 2019 Shield
- 2019 Sword
- 2016 Pokémon GO
How to get Butterfree.
Every main-series game Butterfree is in, newest first: how to get it, version exclusives and Shiny locks.
Generation IXNot in the game
- Scarlet · Violet · Legends: Z-ANot in the game
Generation VIIIObtainableTradeNot in the game
- Sword · ShieldObtainable
- WildSlumbering Weald, East Lake Axewell, Giant's Mirror, Rolling Fields
- RaidBridge Field, Dappled Grove, East Lake Axewell, Giant's Cap, Hammerlocke Hills, Rolling Fields, South Lake Miloch (Max Raid Battle)
- RaidRolling Fields (Max Raid Battle) (Gigantamax Factor)
- RaidMax Lair (Dynamax Adventure) (Gigantamax Factor) (The Crown Tundra)
- RaidSlippery Slope, Crown Shrine, Giant's Foot, Ballimere Lake (Max Raid Battle) (Gigantamax Factor) (The Crown Tundra)
- Brilliant DiamondObtainable
- EvolveMetapod (Level 10)
- Shining PearlTrade
- Legends: ArceusNot in the game
Generation VIIObtainable
- Sun · Moon · Ultra Sun · Ultra MoonObtainable
- WildRoute 5, Melemele Meadow
- WildRoute 5, Lush Jungle, Melemele Meadow (SOS Battle)
- Let's Go, Pikachu!Obtainable
- WildViridian Forest
- Let's Go, Eevee!Obtainable
- EvolveMetapod (Level 10)
Generation VIObtainableTrade
- X · YObtainable
- WildFriend Safari (Bug) (needs another player)
- Omega Ruby · Alpha SapphireTrade
Generation VObtainableTrade
- BlackTrade
- WhiteObtainable
- WildRoute 12 (Rustling grass)
- Black 2Trade
- White 2Obtainable
- WildPinwheel Forest (Hidden Grotto) (Pinwheel Forest interior, near the lake)
Generation IVObtainable
- Diamond · Pearl · PlatinumObtainable
- EvolveMetapod (Level 10)
- HeartGoldObtainable
- WildRoute 2 (morning) (day)
- WildViridian Forest (morning)
- WildNational Park (Bug-Catching Contest) (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
- WildRoute 47, Ilex Forest (Headbutt trees)
- SoulSilverObtainable
- WildNational Park (Bug-Catching Contest) (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
Generation IIIObtainableTrade
- Ruby · Sapphire · EmeraldTrade
- FireRed · LeafGreenObtainable
- EvolveMetapod (Level 10)
Generation IIObtainable
- GoldObtainable
- WildRoute 2 (morning)
- WildNational Park (Bug-Catching Contest) (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
- WildRoutes 26, 27, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, Azalea Town, Ilex Forest, Lake of Rage (Headbutt trees)
- SilverObtainable
- WildNational Park (Bug-Catching Contest) (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
- CrystalObtainable
- WildRoutes 2, 24, 25 (morning) (day)
- WildNational Park (Bug-Catching Contest) (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
- WildIlex Forest (Headbutt trees)
Generation IObtainable
- Red · Blue · YellowObtainable
- EvolveMetapod (Level 10)
- Pokémon HOME
- Send it to HOME from Pokémon Bank; Let's Go, Pikachu!; Let's Go, Eevee!; Sword; Shield; Brilliant Diamond; FireRed; and LeafGreen. From HOME it can move into Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
- Pokémon Champions
- Not on the roster.
Butterfree appears in 89 episodes.
From EP003 (1997-04-15) through HZ137 (2026-05-22).
Pokémon Sleep · Dozing type
Butterfree has 4 sleep styles.
Catch each pose by sleeping near Snorlax with enough Drowsy Power. Butterfree sleeps as a Dozing type.
TCG Pocket appearances
Butterfree in TCG Pocket.
Every printed variant on iOS / Android. Tap any card for full art.
Pokémon like Butterfree
Closest matches by typing, role, stats, and lore, from the same semantic search that powers the Reverse Dex.