Stardust is one of the most valuable resources in Pokemon GO, required for powering up Pokemon and unlocking second charge moves. This comprehensive guide covers the best methods to farm Stardust efficiently in 2025.
Quick Answer: The best way to farm Stardust is catching Pokemon (100-300 per catch), hatching eggs (up to 6,400 per egg), and using Star Pieces during events with boosted Stardust rewards. Catching is the most consistent method.
What is Stardust?
Stardust is the primary currency for making your Pokemon stronger in Pokemon GO. Unlike Candy (which is Pokemon-specific), Stardust is universal and can be used on any Pokemon. You need Stardust to:
- Power Up Pokemon: Increase CP and stats (costs increase with level)
- Unlock Second Charge Move: 10,000-100,000 Stardust depending on species
- Trade Pokemon: 100-1,000,000 Stardust depending on friendship and Pokemon
- Purify Shadow Pokemon: 1,000-5,000 Stardust per purification
Method 1: Catching Pokemon (Most Consistent)
Catching Pokemon is the most reliable and consistent way to earn Stardust throughout the day.
Stardust Per Catch
- Base Form Pokemon: 100 Stardust per catch
- First Evolution: 300 Stardust per catch
- Second Evolution: 500 Stardust per catch
- Weather Boosted: +25% Stardust bonus
High Stardust Pokemon (Special)
- Audino: 2,100 Stardust (highest base catch)
- Shellder: 1,000 Stardust
- Trubbish: 750 Stardust
- Combee: 750 Stardust
- Sableye: 750 Stardust
- Foongus: 500 Stardust
- Meowth (all forms): 500 Stardust
Event Strategy: During Community Day or events with Stardust bonuses (2x or 3x), focus entirely on catching to maximize gains!
Method 2: Star Pieces (+50% Stardust Boost)
Star Pieces are premium items that increase all Stardust gained by 50% for 30 minutes. They're essential for serious Stardust farming.
Star Piece Strategy
- When to Use:
- Community Days with boosted Stardust
- Spotlight Hours (especially with Stardust bonuses)
- Before claiming Adventure Sync rewards
- During GO Battle League sets
- When hatching multiple eggs at once
- How to Get Star Pieces:
- Purchase from in-game shop (100 PokeCoins each)
- Event boxes and special bundles
- Special Research rewards
- Level-up rewards
- Maximizing Duration:
- Activate right before high-Stardust activities
- Catch as many Pokemon as possible during 30 minutes
- Stack egg hatches to all hatch during active Star Piece
Pro Tip: Save Star Pieces for events with 2x or 3x Stardust bonuses. With both multipliers, you can earn 6x-9x normal Stardust per catch!
Method 3: Hatching Eggs (High Efficiency)
Hatching eggs provides substantial Stardust rewards, especially for longer-distance eggs.
Stardust Per Egg Hatch
- 2 km Eggs: 400-800 Stardust
- 5 km Eggs: 800-1,600 Stardust
- 7 km Eggs: 800-1,600 Stardust
- 10 km Eggs: 1,600-3,200 Stardust
- 12 km Eggs: 3,200-6,400 Stardust (best value!)
- With Star Piece: All values increased by 50%
Hatching Strategy
- Use incubators on 10km and 12km eggs for best Stardust
- Save 2km eggs for the unlimited incubator
- Stack multiple eggs to hatch simultaneously with Star Piece active
- Time hatches during events with boosted egg Stardust
- Walk or use Adventure Sync to hatch passively
Method 4: GO Battle League (PvP)
GO Battle League provides consistent Stardust rewards for participating in ranked PvP battles.
- Win Rewards: Thousands of Stardust per battle set
- Rank Bonuses: Higher ranks provide better Stardust rewards
- End-of-Season: Large Stardust bonuses based on final rank
- Mystery Items: Can contain additional Stardust bundles
- Star Piece Compatible: Activate before claiming rewards for 50% boost
- Multiple Sets: Complete 5 sets daily for maximum Stardust
Stardust Seasons: During special GO Battle League seasons with boosted Stardust rewards, you can earn 10,000+ Stardust per day just from PvP!
Method 5: Adventure Sync Weekly Rewards
Walking 50km or 100km per week triggers special rewards that include substantial Stardust.
Distance Rewards
- 25 km per week: 1,500 Stardust
- 50 km per week: 3,000 Stardust (total)
- 100 km per week: 16,000 Stardust (total)
- With Star Piece: 24,000 Stardust at 100km!
Pro Tip: Always activate a Star Piece before opening your Monday 9 AM Adventure Sync rewards if you hit 100km. That's 8,000 bonus Stardust instantly!
Method 6: Field Research Tasks
Certain field research tasks provide Stardust as completion rewards.
- Regular Tasks: 200-500 Stardust per task
- Special Research: Up to 2,000+ Stardust per stage
- Event Research: Often includes large Stardust bonuses
- Daily Tasks: Can be completed for consistent small gains
- Stack Tasks: Complete multiple during Star Piece for bonus
Method 7: Feeding Berries at Gyms
Feeding berries to Pokemon defending gyms provides small but consistent Stardust.
- Stardust Per Berry: 20 Stardust (30 with Star Piece)
- Maximum: 10 berries per Pokemon (200-300 Stardust)
- Remote Feeding: Can feed from anywhere using gym badges
- Best Berry: Nanab Berries (least useful otherwise)
- Bonus Candy: Small chance of receiving Pokemon candy
Method 8: Opening Gifts
Gifts from friends can contain Stardust, though amounts are small.
- Stardust Amount: 50-200 Stardust per gift
- Daily Limit: 30 gifts per day
- Total Potential: Up to 6,000 Stardust daily from gifts
- Guaranteed Minimum: At least 50 Stardust even with full bag
- Friendship XP: Opens also count toward friendship levels
Method 9: Raiding
Completing raids provides Stardust based on raid tier.
- 1-Star Raids: 500 Stardust
- 3-Star Raids: 1,000 Stardust
- 5-Star Raids: 2,000 Stardust
- Mega Raids: 2,000 Stardust
- Star Piece Compatible: Use for 50% bonus
Best Stardust Farming Strategy (Combined)
Maximize Stardust gains by combining multiple methods strategically:
Daily Routine
- Morning (10-15 minutes):
- Open 30 gifts (up to 6,000 Stardust)
- Complete easy field research tasks
- Catch weather-boosted Pokemon on the way to work/school
- During Day:
- Catch every Pokemon you encounter (Quick Catch technique)
- Prioritize evolved forms and high-Stardust species
- Feed berries to gym defenders remotely
- Evening:
- Complete GO Battle League sets with Star Piece
- Participate in raids during raid hour
- Hatch stacked eggs with Star Piece active
- Weekly:
- Aim for 100km Adventure Sync
- Claim rewards Monday at 9 AM with Star Piece
Community Day Maximum: During 3-hour Community Days with 3x catch Stardust, using Star Pieces continuously can net 200,000+ Stardust by catching 400+ Pokemon!
Events with Boosted Stardust
Certain events dramatically increase Stardust earnings. Plan your grinding around these:
- Community Days: Usually 3x catch Stardust (best opportunity)
- Spotlight Hours: Sometimes feature 2x catch Stardust
- Stardust Events: Special events with boosted rewards
- GO Battle Days: Increased GBL Stardust rewards
- Seasonal Events: Often include Stardust bonuses
Tips for Maximum Stardust Gains
- Never Stop Catching: Every catch adds up over time
- Use Star Pieces Wisely: Save for events and high-yield activities
- Quick Catch Method: Learn the technique to catch 2-3x faster
- Focus on Evolved Pokemon: Worth 3-5x more Stardust
- Walk Consistently: Hit that 100km weekly for big bonuses
- Play During Events: Maximize gains during boosted periods
- Prioritize 12km Eggs: Best Stardust per distance ratio
- Complete GBL Daily: Consistent Stardust source
- Stock Star Pieces: Buy during sales or events
Important: Don't hoard Stardust forever! Use it to power up meta-relevant Pokemon for raids and PvP. The goal is balanced resource management, not just accumulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much Stardust can I earn per day?
Active players can earn 20,000-50,000 Stardust daily through normal play. During special events with bonuses, dedicated players can earn 100,000+ per day.
Should I save Star Pieces for Community Day?
Absolutely! Community Days with 3x Stardust bonuses are the best time to use Star Pieces. You can earn 450 Stardust per base catch (675 for weather boosted).
What's the fastest way to get Stardust?
Catching as many Pokemon as possible during events with Stardust bonuses while using Star Pieces. A 3-hour Community Day can net 200,000+ Stardust.
Can I buy Stardust with PokeCoins?
No, Stardust cannot be purchased directly. You can buy Star Pieces to boost Stardust gains, but must earn Stardust through gameplay.