PokéCoins are the in-game currency in Pokémon GO. You can use them to buy important items like Poké Balls, Incubators, Lucky Eggs, and more. These items help you catch more Pokémon, hatch eggs, and increase your XP.
While you can buy PokéCoins with real money, many players prefer to earn them for free by playing the game. But there is a limit to how many PokéCoins you can earn each day.
In this article, we will explain how PokéCoins work, how many you can earn daily, and how to make the most of your efforts.
What Are PokéCoins?
PokéCoins are special coins in Pokémon GO that allow you to buy items in the in-game shop. Some items are:
- Poké Balls
- Incense
- Lucky Eggs
- Bag upgrades
- Pokémon storage upgrades
- Remote Raid Passes
- Egg Incubators
You can get PokéCoins in two ways:
- Buy them with real money
- Earn them by placing your Pokémon in Gyms
This article focuses on the free way—earning PokéCoins by defending Gyms.
How Many PokéCoins Can You Earn Each Day?
You can earn a maximum of 50 PokéCoins per day. This is the daily limit, no matter how many Gyms your Pokémon defend.
Even if your Pokémon stay in Gyms for 20 hours across several Gyms, you will still only get 50 coins at most for that day.
Related: How to Make a Gym in Pokémon GO? 2025 Tutorial
How Do You Earn PokéCoins?
You earn PokéCoins when your Pokémon is placed in a Gym and later returns to you. For every 10 minutes that your Pokémon defends the Gym, you earn 1 PokéCoin.
Here is the breakdown:
| Time Defended | Coins Earned |
|---|---|
| 10 minutes | 1 PokéCoin |
| 1 hour | 6 PokéCoins |
| 5 hours | 30 PokéCoins |
| 8 hours 20 min | 50 PokéCoins |
| 10 hours or more | 50 PokéCoins |
Once your Pokémon returns from the Gym, the coins are added to your account, up to the limit of 50 coins per day.
If your Pokémon stays in the Gym for two full days and then returns, you will still get only 50 PokéCoins, not 100.
Why Is There a Daily Limit?
The 50-coin limit was added to keep the game fair for everyone. It prevents players from taking over many Gyms and earning too many coins. It also encourages players to check the game daily, instead of placing a Pokémon and forgetting about it.
What Happens If Multiple Pokémon Return the Same Day?
Let’s say you have three Pokémon in three different Gyms. They all return to you on the same day.
- Pokémon 1 defended for 5 hours = 30 coins
- Pokémon 2 defended for 3 hours = 18 coins
- Pokémon 3 defended for 2 hours = 12 coins
In total, that’s 60 coins. But you will only get 50 PokéCoins, because of the daily cap. The game will count coins until you reach the limit and ignore the rest.
Related: Can You Gift Raid Passes in Pokémon GO_
What If My Pokémon Is Still in the Gym?
You will not get PokéCoins until your Pokémon is kicked out of the Gym. Once your Pokémon is defeated and returns to you, the game calculates how long it stayed in the Gym and gives you the coins.
So, if your Pokémon stays in a Gym for several days, you won’t receive coins until it returns. And you will only receive coins for the day it returns.
Best Time to Place Pokémon in Gyms
If you want to earn the most PokéCoins each day, here are some tips:
- Place your Pokémon early in the day. This gives enough time for it to be defeated and returned the same day.
- Try placing your Pokémon at night in Gyms that are likely to be taken early the next morning.
- Avoid high-traffic Gyms if you want your Pokémon to stay longer.
- Look for Gyms in less busy places like rural areas or quiet parks.
What Pokémon Are Good Gym Defenders?
Some Pokémon are better at defending Gyms than others. You want Pokémon with high HP and good defense. Here are some good choices:
- Blissey
- Snorlax
- Chansey
- Slaking
- Metagross
Place strong Pokémon in Gyms to make it harder for others to take them down quickly. But remember, if they stay too long, you might miss the chance to earn coins that day.
How to Track Your PokéCoins
You can check how many PokéCoins you’ve earned by going to the in-game shop. If you received coins from defending Gyms, they will be added to your total.
You can also check your Journal to see when your Pokémon returned from a Gym and how many coins you got.
Related: When Did Pokémon Cards Come Out
Can You Earn PokéCoins From Anything Else?
In the past, Niantic tested ways to let players earn PokéCoins from daily tasks, but that system is not active now. In 2025, the only way to earn free PokéCoins is from Gym defense.
You can still buy PokéCoins with real money, but that’s optional.
What Can You Buy With PokéCoins?
Here is a simple table showing what you can buy with PokéCoins:
| Item | Cost (PokéCoins) |
|---|---|
| Bag Upgrade | 200 |
| Pokémon Storage Upgrade | 200 |
| Incense (1) | 40 |
| Lucky Egg (1) | 80 |
| Egg Incubator (1) | 150 |
| Remote Raid Pass (1) | 195 |
| Poké Ball Bundle | 100 |
If you earn 50 PokéCoins per day, you can buy most of these items in 3 to 5 days.
How to Save Up for Bigger Items
If you want to save PokéCoins for bigger items or bundles, you’ll need to plan ahead.
For example:
- To buy an Incubator (150 coins), you need 3 days
- To buy a Remote Raid Pass (195 coins), you need 4 days
- To upgrade storage (200 coins), you need 4 days
Set a goal and keep placing your Pokémon in Gyms every day to earn coins steadily.
Should You Buy PokéCoins?
That depends on how you play the game. If you want fast upgrades or need items urgently, buying PokéCoins is the quickest way.
Here is the current cost in the US:
| PokéCoins | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| 100 | $0.99 |
| 550 | $4.99 |
| 1200 | $9.99 |
| 2500 | $19.99 |
| 5200 | $39.99 |
| 14500 | $99.99 |
If you play every day and use Gyms wisely, you might never need to buy coins.
Tips to Maximize Your Daily PokéCoins
Here are a few simple tips:
- Defend Gyms early in the day
- Don’t place Pokémon if you already earned 50 coins today
- Use strong defenders like Blissey and Snorlax
- Check your Journal to track coin returns
- Avoid overcrowded Gyms where turnover is too fast
In Pokémon GO, PokéCoins are very helpful. They let you get more items and make your game better. But remember, the most PokéCoins you can earn in one day is 50.
To earn PokéCoins:
- Place your Pokémon in Gyms
- Wait for them to return after being defeated
- Collect your coins, up to 50 each day
Use your coins wisely and enjoy the game without needing to spend real money. With good planning, you can earn everything you need just by playing smart.
