How many Pokemon cards are there: an updated guide for players and collectors

January 05, 2026
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How many Pokemon cards are there and why does the collection keep growing?

If you've ever wondered how many Pokémon cards there are, you're not alone. It's one of the most common questions among players and collectors, especially when you start seeing new sets, alternate artwork, and special versions constantly appearing. The short answer is that there are a lot of them, and the useful answer is understanding how they're counted, why the number changes, and which ones you should collect depending on your goal. In this guide, we'll help you bring order to the world of the Pokémon TCG and tell you how to keep track of the cards so your collection grows meaningfully.

Why is it difficult to answer how many Pokemon cards there are?

The Pokémon TCG has been publishing expansions and products for decades, so the total isn't a fixed number. When someone asks how many Pokémon cards there are, they could be referring to several things:

Unique cards by name and number within a set.
Cards including variants such as holo, reverse holo, promo and championship versions.
Global charts including Japanese releases and regional editions.

In addition, new mechanics and rarities are introduced periodically, such as rare artwork, hyper rare cards, or special collectible cards, increasing the number of desired and sought-after cards even within the same expansion.

How many Pokemon cards are there in total today?

The exact total changes constantly because multiple expansions, special products, and promotions are released each year. However, a practical way to think about it is this:

If you only count cards from main sets (numbered within expansions), the total far exceeds thousands of cards.
If you include official promos, variants, and reprints, the number grows even more and can skyrocket quickly.

For players and collectors, the important thing isn't memorizing a number, but understanding how the catalog is organized. The Pokémon TCG is structured by expansions, and each expansion has a numbered list. In addition, there are secret cards (which usually have numbers separate from the set's total) and promotional cards obtained in boxes, tournaments, or special products.

How cards are organized: sets, rarities, and variants

Understanding the organization helps you answer more clearly how many Pokémon cards are included in what you want to collect. These are the key pieces:

1) Main expansions

Each expansion includes a list of numbered cards. For example, a set might list 190 cards, but could also include additional secret cards. For collectors, completing a set usually means getting all the numbered cards plus the secret ones.

2) Secret letters and special arts

Secret cards significantly increase the overall value of a set. These days, it's common for expansions to include alternate artwork, full art, gold cards, or special trainer cards. These cards are often the most sought after due to their visual appeal and high demand.

3) Promos

Promotional cards are a whole other world. They can come in premium boxes, blister packs, special collections, or events. If your goal is to collect everything, promotional cards are one of the main reasons why the question of how many Pokémon cards there are doesn't have a simple, definitive number.

4) Variants (holo, reverse, etc.)

Many cards exist in both standard and reverse holo versions, and some in multiple finishes. For the competitive player, one playable copy is usually sufficient. For the collector, the variants count as additional objectives.

What does this mean for players?

If you play the Pokémon TCG, you don't need to chase after every single card. The best strategy is to focus on Trainer cards, Energy cards, and Pokémon that fit your deck. Large expansions can have hundreds of cards, but only a portion of them become relevant in the metagame. Therefore, rather than asking yourself how many Pokémon cards there are, you should ask yourself which cards you need for your deck and which product will help you get them faster.

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We often see many players combining booster packs to discover new options with sealed products designed to improve decks or obtain key promos. It's an efficient way to build without losing focus.

What does this mean for collectors?

To start a collection, the first step is to choose a clear goal. Some popular ideas:

Complete a specific set.
Collect only one generation or one favorite Pokemon.
Focus on rare illustration and alternative arts.
Go for special offers and products.

Choosing a goal reduces the feeling that achieving the perfect collection is impossible. Because if you try to collect everything, the answer to "how many Pokémon cards are there?" becomes such a large number that it's no longer practical. On the other hand, if you define your goal, every purchase and every trade brings you closer to something concrete.

Tips for keeping track of your collection

Organize by expansion and card number. Helps you quickly find gaps.
Separate variants (reverse and holo) if you are making a master set.
Protect key cards with sleeves and store them in a quality binder.
Prioritize high-rarity cards you're missing before repeating packs without a plan.

Conclusion: a collection that never stands still

So, how many Pokémon cards are there? There are thousands, and the number keeps growing with each release. But the best thing about the Pokémon TCG is precisely that: there's always something new to discover, play, and collect. If you want to stay up-to-date with sealed products, expansions, and releases for your collection or decks, visit tcgshops.com and subscribe to our newsletter to be notified when new products are available for purchase.