PokeCoins are the premium currency in Pokemon Go — used to buy items in the in-game shop including Poke Balls, Incense, Lures, storage upgrades, and cosmetic items. Unlike many mobile games, Pokemon Go gives you a genuine way to earn PokeCoins for free every day by defending gyms. This guide covers everything about the Pokemon Go shop and coins: how to earn PokeCoins without spending real money, how the gym coin system works, what to spend your coins on, the Pokemon Go webstore (shop.pokemongolive.com), Pokemon Go gift cards, and how much PokeCoins cost if you buy them.
For the complete Pokemon Go events guide including Community Day, lucky Pokemon, and seasonal events, see our article on Pokemon Go events, Community Day, and lucky Pokemon — complete 2026 guide.
What Are PokeCoins?
PokeCoins (also written as Poke Coins or Pokemon coins) are Pokemon Go’s premium in-game currency. They appear as gold coins in the game interface and are used to purchase items in the Pokemon Go shop. PokeCoins cannot be traded between players and are tied to your individual account.
| PokeCoins Feature | Details |
| Currency name | PokeCoins (also: Poke Coins, Pokemon coins) |
| How to get free | Defend gyms — earn up to 50 coins per day |
| How to buy | In-app purchase via Pokemon Go shop or Pokemon Go webstore |
| What to spend on | Poke Balls, Incense, Lures, storage upgrades, cosmetics |
| Daily free coin limit | 50 PokeCoins per day maximum from gym defense |
| Minimum purchase | 100 PokeCoins (~$0.99) |
| Best value purchase | 14,500 PokeCoins ($99.99) — largest bundle |
How to Earn PokeCoins Free — Gym Defense
The primary way to earn free PokeCoins in Pokemon Go is by placing your Pokemon in gyms and defending them. Here is exactly how it works:
How Gym Coin Earning Works
- Find a gym controlled by your team (Mystic/blue, Valor/red, or Instinct/yellow) — or defeat a rival gym to claim it for your team
- Tap the gym and tap ‘Add Pokemon’ to place one of your Pokemon as a defender
- Your Pokemon defends the gym, earning 1 PokeCoin for every 10 minutes it spends defending
- When your Pokemon is eventually defeated by a rival team and returns to you, the coins it earned are deposited into your account
- You can earn a maximum of 50 PokeCoins per day regardless of how many gyms your Pokemon defend
The 50 PokeCoins Per Day Limit — Key Details
The 50 PokeCoins per day limit is the most important rule to understand about free coin earning:
- Maximum: 50 PokeCoins per calendar day — this resets at midnight local time
- If your Pokemon defends a gym for 500 minutes (8 hours 20 minutes) it earns exactly 50 coins — the maximum
- If you have Pokemon in 5 different gyms and all 5 return on the same day, you still only receive 50 coins total for that day
- Coins accumulate only when your Pokemon RETURNS to you — not while it is still defending
- If your Pokemon spends multiple days in a gym, the coins it earns beyond the daily cap on any given day carry over — but you only receive 50 coins total on the day it returns
Best Gyms to Defend for Coins
- Remote gyms: Gyms in low-traffic areas where rival teams are less likely to challenge your Pokemon — your defender stays longer and earns more coins before being returned
- Gyms with gold status: Once you achieve Gold gym badge status at a gym, your Pokemon get motivation boosts making them harder to defeat
- Multiple gyms: Place Pokemon in as many gyms as possible — you can have up to 20 Pokemon in gyms simultaneously — so even if some are returned quickly, others keep earning
- Friendly gyms: Join your local team’s Discord or community group to coordinate gym control in your area — teams that cooperate hold gyms longer
Gym Motivation and Berry Feeding
Each Pokemon in a gym has a Motivation meter that depletes over time. As Motivation drops, the Pokemon becomes easier to defeat. Other players on your team can feed berries to your gym defenders via AR or remotely through the gym screen to restore their Motivation — this extends how long your Pokemon stays in the gym and earns more coins. The most effective berry for motivation restoration is the Golden Razz Berry.
Pokemon Go Shop — What’s In It
The Pokemon Go in-game shop (accessible via the Poke Ball icon on the main screen → Shop tab) sells items across several categories:
Items You Can Buy With PokeCoins
| Item | Cost (approx.) | What It Does |
| Poke Ball (20x) | 100 coins | Standard Poke Ball bundle |
| Great Ball (20x) | 150 coins | Higher catch rate than standard |
| Ultra Ball (20x) | 200 coins | Highest standard catch rate |
| Incense (1x) | 80 coins | Attracts Pokemon to your location for 1 hour |
| Lucky Egg (1x) | 80 coins | Doubles XP earned for 30 minutes |
| Lure Module (1x) | 100 coins | Attracts Pokemon to a PokeStop for 30 minutes |
| Incubator (1x) | 150 coins | Hatches one egg; breaks after use |
| Super Incubator (1x) | 200 coins | Hatches eggs at 1.5x speed; breaks after use |
| Pokemon Storage Upgrade | 200 coins | Adds 50 Pokemon slots to your storage |
| Item Bag Upgrade | 200 coins | Adds 50 item slots to your bag |
| Remote Raid Pass (1x) | 195 coins | Join raids from anywhere |
| Star Piece (1x) | 100 coins | Boosts Stardust earned for 30 minutes |
What to Prioritize Spending PokeCoins On
| Priority | Recommendation |
| #1 — Storage upgrades | Pokemon Storage and Item Bag upgrades give permanent value — buy these first |
| #2 — Incubators | Super Incubators are the best egg-hatching value if you walk regularly |
| #3 — Remote Raid Passes | Best for catching legendaries if you cannot visit raid locations in person |
| #4 — Incense | Best during Community Day for maximizing rare Pokemon encounters |
| Avoid — Poke Balls | Balls are obtainable from PokeStops for free — do not spend coins on balls |
Pokemon Go Webstore — shop.pokemongolive.com
The Pokemon Go webstore (officially at shop.pokemongolive.com) is Niantic’s external web shop for Pokemon Go — a website where you can purchase PokeCoins and certain bundles, often at better value than the in-app store on iOS and Android.
Why Use the Pokemon Go Webstore?
- Better pricing: Because the webstore bypasses Apple App Store and Google Play Store’s 30% commission, Niantic can offer PokeCoins at lower prices than the in-app purchase prices on iOS and Android
- Exclusive bundles: The webstore occasionally offers exclusive bundles not available in the in-app shop
- Payment flexibility: The webstore accepts credit/debit cards and PayPal in addition to the payment methods on your phone’s app store
- PC access: You can purchase PokeCoins on a computer via the webstore — useful if you want to manage spending without using your phone
How to Use the Pokemon Go Webstore
- Go to shop.pokemongolive.com in any browser
- Sign in with your Niantic account (the same account linked to your Pokemon Go game)
- Select a PokeCoins bundle or item bundle
- Complete purchase — coins appear in your Pokemon Go account within a few minutes
Pokemon Go Webstore vs In-App Shop — Price Comparison
| Bundle | In-App Price (approx.) | Webstore Price (approx.) |
| 100 PokeCoins | $0.99 | Slightly less |
| 550 PokeCoins | $4.99 | Better value |
| 1,200 PokeCoins | $9.99 | Better value |
| 2,500 PokeCoins | $19.99 | Better value |
| 5,200 PokeCoins | $39.99 | Better value |
| 14,500 PokeCoins | $99.99 | Best per-coin rate |
Note: Exact webstore pricing varies by region and may be updated by Niantic. Always check the current webstore price before purchasing.
Pokemon Go Gift Card — How to Buy and Redeem
Pokemon Go gift cards are prepaid cards that add PokeCoins directly to your account. They are available in various denominations and sold at major retailers.
Where to Buy Pokemon Go Gift Cards
- Retail stores: Target, Walmart, GameStop, Best Buy — look in the gift card section or gaming section
- Online: Amazon, Best Buy online, and other retailers sell digital Pokemon Go gift card codes delivered by email
- Niantic’s webstore: Some Pokemon Go gift card bundles are available directly through the official webstore
How to Redeem a Pokemon Go Gift Card
- Open Pokemon Go on your phone
- Tap the Poke Ball icon → Shop
- Scroll to the bottom of the shop and tap ‘Redeem Code’
- Enter the gift card code and confirm
- PokeCoins are added to your account immediately
Gift card codes can also be redeemed through the Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iOS) if the gift card is a general platform gift card rather than a Pokemon Go-specific code. Check the card packaging for redemption instructions.
How Many PokeCoins Can You Get Free Per Month?
At the maximum of 50 free PokeCoins per day, you can earn up to 1,500 free PokeCoins per month (50 x 30 days). In practice, most players earn less because:
- Your gym defenders may be defeated quickly in competitive areas, returning before reaching the 50-coin earning threshold
- Some days you may not have a Pokemon defending a gym at all
- High-traffic gyms in city centers change hands frequently, limiting defender time
Realistic monthly free coin estimates by playstyle:
| Playstyle | Realistic Monthly Coins | Notes |
| Casual (few gyms) | 300-600 coins | Occasional gym defending |
| Regular player | 600-900 coins | Multiple gym defenders daily |
| Active gym player | 900-1,200 coins | Multiple gyms + rural/low-traffic area |
| Maximum possible | 1,500 coins | 50 coins every single day — very rare |
Can You Sell Pokemon in Pokemon Go?
No — you cannot sell Pokemon in Pokemon Go. The game does not have a feature to sell, trade for currency, or exchange Pokemon for PokeCoins or any other in-game currency. You can transfer unwanted Pokemon to Professor Willow in exchange for Candy (the resource used to power up and evolve Pokemon of that species), but this gives you Candy, not PokeCoins. The only ways to get PokeCoins are gym defense (free) and purchasing them through the shop, webstore, or gift cards.
PokeCoins vs Pokedollars — Are They Different?
PokeCoins are specific to Pokemon Go (the mobile AR game). Pokedollars (also called Pokemon Dollars or the P symbol currency) are the in-game currency in the mainline Pokemon video games — Pokemon Scarlet/Violet, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond, etc. These are completely separate currencies for completely different games. PokeCoins are real-money premium currency in Pokemon Go; Pokedollars are earned by defeating trainers in the mainline games and have no real-world value.
For Pokemon Go accessories that can help you earn more coins by auto-spinning PokeStops and auto-catching Pokemon, see our guide to Pokemon Go Plus, Gotcha, and auto-catcher accessories — complete buying guide.
To access the official Pokemon Go webstore for PokeCoins and bundles, visit Pokemon Go Webstore — official shop.pokemongolive.com. For the official Pokemon Go support page on PokeCoins and gym earnings, see the Niantic Pokemon Go support — PokeCoins and gym defense.
Pokemon Go Coin Tips and Tricks — Advanced Strategies
Team Up to Hold Gyms Longer
One of the most effective strategies for maximizing free PokeCoins is coordinating with other local players from your team. Join your local Pokemon Go community Discord, Facebook group, or use the Niantic Campfire app to connect with nearby players. When your team controls multiple gyms in an area and members actively feed berries to each other’s defenders, gyms hold significantly longer than when defending alone. A well-coordinated team in a mid-traffic area can hold gyms for 24+ hours — guaranteeing the maximum 50 coins daily for every contributing member.
Timing Your Gym Defense
When you place your Pokemon in a gym matters. If you place a defender late in the evening in a low-traffic area, it will likely defend overnight and into the next morning — easily crossing the 500-minute threshold for maximum coins before anyone challenges it. Weekday mornings and evenings in residential areas tend to have the least rival gym activity. Weekends and city-center gyms are much more competitive, with defenders returning within minutes or hours rather than days.
The Berry Feeding Strategy for Remote Gyms
Pokemon Go allows you to remotely feed berries to your gym defenders via the Nearby screen → Gyms tab. This lets you boost your defender’s Motivation without visiting the gym in person. If your Pokemon is defending a gym across town, you can feed it a Razz Berry or Golden Razz Berry remotely to extend its stay. This is particularly valuable for rural gyms or gyms in areas you visit infrequently — check your gym defenders once or twice a day and feed berries remotely to maximize their defending time.
Free PokeCoins from Special Research and Events
In addition to gym defense, Niantic occasionally gives out free PokeCoins through Special Research tasks, Timed Research, and seasonal events. These distributions are not regular or predictable — they typically occur during major game anniversaries, Pokemon Go Fest events, or as compensation for server issues. Free coins from research tasks are typically small amounts (10-50 coins per task), but they add up over time and require no gym defending. Check the official Pokemon Go blog (pokemongolive.com/en/blog) and the in-game News tab for announcements about coin-giving research.
Is It Worth Buying PokeCoins?
Whether purchasing PokeCoins is worth it depends entirely on how you play Pokemon Go. For casual players, the 50 free daily coins from gym defense are usually sufficient — enough to buy storage upgrades and occasional items over months of play. For active raiders who want Remote Raid Passes to catch legendary Pokemon, purchasing a PokeCoins bundle may be worthwhile — Remote Raid Passes (195 coins each) give access to legendary raids that cannot be caught otherwise. The best-value purchases are permanent storage upgrades (Pokemon Storage and Item Bag expansions) because they benefit every future play session indefinitely, unlike consumable items that deplete quickly.
Bottom Line
| Free coins per day | Up to 50 PokeCoins by defending gyms |
| How gym coins work | 1 coin per 10 minutes defending; coins paid when defender returns |
| Daily cap | 50 coins maximum per day regardless of gym count |
| Best free coin strategy | Place defenders in low-traffic gyms; feed berries to extend stay |
| Best shop purchase | Pokemon Storage and Item Bag upgrades — permanent value |
| Pokemon Go webstore | shop.pokemongolive.com — better prices than in-app on iOS/Android |
| Gift cards | Available at Target, Walmart, GameStop, Amazon |
| Can you sell Pokemon? | No — transfer gives Candy, not coins |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you earn coins in Pokemon Go?
The only free way to earn PokeCoins in Pokemon Go is by defending gyms. Place your Pokemon in a gym by tapping it and selecting ‘Add Pokemon’. Your defender earns 1 PokeCoin for every 10 minutes it defends the gym. When it is defeated and returns to you, the earned coins are deposited — up to a maximum of 50 PokeCoins per day. To earn coins by purchasing, use the in-app shop, the Pokemon Go webstore (shop.pokemongolive.com), or a Pokemon Go gift card.
How do I get 50 coins a day in Pokemon Go?
To earn the maximum 50 free PokeCoins per day, place a Pokemon in a gym where it will defend for at least 500 minutes (8 hours 20 minutes) before being defeated. Low-traffic gyms in quieter areas hold defenders longer. Feed Golden Razz Berries to your gym defenders to restore their motivation and make them harder to defeat. Place Pokemon in multiple gyms to increase your chances of one reaching the 50-coin threshold each day.
What is the Pokemon Go webstore?
The Pokemon Go webstore is Niantic’s official external web shop at shop.pokemongolive.com where you can buy PokeCoins and item bundles, often at better prices than the in-app purchase prices on iOS and Android. Sign in with your Niantic account and purchases go directly to your Pokemon Go account. The webstore bypasses Apple and Google’s 30% platform commission, allowing Niantic to offer better per-coin value.
How much do PokeCoins cost?
PokeCoins are available in multiple bundle sizes: 100 coins (~$0.99), 550 coins (~$4.99), 1,200 coins (~$9.99), 2,500 coins (~$19.99), 5,200 coins (~$39.99), and 14,500 coins (~$99.99). The largest bundle offers the best value per coin. Prices may be slightly lower on the Pokemon Go webstore (shop.pokemongolive.com) compared to in-app purchases on iOS and Android.
Can you get PokeCoins without paying?
Yes — gym defense earns up to 50 free PokeCoins per day. Place your Pokemon in gyms, and when they are defeated and return to you, the earned coins (up to 50 per day) are added to your account. This means you can earn up to 1,500 free PokeCoins per month without spending real money — enough to buy storage upgrades, incubators, or other shop items over time.
