The Only Pokédex Guide You'll Ever Need

There’s something special about building a Pokédex that goes beyond just the thrill of collecting every last Pokémon.

In a world that feels too loud and chaotic, it’s a relaxing, creative way to spend your time. And honestly, anyone can do it. (Even you, parent of an excited collector who’s currently waving a handful of cards in your face).

And while it really is something anyone can do, it’s not a small commitment.

That’s why we recommend building it with someone if you can, because honestly, time spent chasing Pokémon and sorting cards is time well spent. And before you know it, you have this wholesome ritual together.

And in the end, you’ll have more than just a binder filled with Pokémon cards. You have months (or maybe even years) of memories.

If you’re planning to build it solo? That’s some dedicated, next-level collecting that’ll earn you some serious bragging rights.

If you’re ready to start, here’s a step-by-step guide to building your Pokédex that will help you pick your vibe, find the right binder, and track your progress without losing your mind.

So... What Is a Pokédex, Anyway?

The Pokédex started in the games as your digital log of every Pokémon you catch. That concept’s been around since the beginning.

The Living Pokédex came later, created by fans.

In the card world, a Living Pokédex means collecting one card for every Pokémon species. You don’t need every version, just one card that represents each Pokémon on the list.

Right now, there are 1,025 Pokémon, and with Gen 10 on the way, that number is only going to keep climbing. And then there are the regional variations like Alolan, Galarian, Hisuian, and Paldean that add even more depth and personality to your collection.

Which is why building a Pokedex is such a big project. But once you start laying out your binder and watching the pages fill in, you get to see a whole little universe come together.

Step 1: Defining Your Pokédex Vibe

The first step to building a great Pokedex is figuring out your vibe.

Having a general direction helps you stay motivated and makes it easier to choose the right binder layout in the next step.

One Reddit user said they were nearly finished before realizing they could build both a male and female version of each Pokémon. Just like that, they weren’t done after all.

Just goes to show you can also figure it out as you go, even when you're nearly done. 😂

Need a little inspiration? Here are a few Pokédex styles to get the ideas flowing.

The Heartstrings Dex — You’re chasing nostalgia. The cards you remember pulling as a kid. Your first holo. Your starter. Even if it’s a little beat up, it goes in the binder.

The Gallery Wall — You're in it for the art. Watercolor, clay, weird promo poses, if it looks cool, it makes the cut. No one else’s Dex will look like yours.

The OCDex — Every card matches. All full arts, same language, etc. Flipping through your binder is like watching a perfectly alphabetized bookshelf. Deeply satisfying.

The Wild Card — No rules, just vibes. You’re using what you’ve got, what your kid hands you, and maybe what you found at the bottom of a toy bin. This one’s full of surprises and honestly, kind of charming.

The Completionist’s Curse — One species? Please. You’re going for regional forms, gender differences, shinies, and maybe even Gigantamax. You knew what this was when you started. See you in five years.

The Codependency Vibe — You’re in it for the bonds. Trainer cards, Trainer Galleries, and any card that shows relationships take the spotlight. Your binder tells the story of both Pokémon and the people beside them.

There’s no wrong way to Pokédex. And your vibe doesn’t have to be perfect from day one. It can evolve as you go.

The only rule? Just make it yours.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Binder

This step is where your Pokédex starts to come to life. Once you’ve got a general idea of your collecting style, choosing the right binder gets way easier.

Some people want to fit the entire Pokedex into one massive setup. Others prefer to break it up by generation or style.

If you want everything in one binder, you’ll need a lot of space. Here are a couple of good options:

16-pocket Stay-flat binder

• Holds 1,280 cards.
• Shows full evolution lines across a spread.
• Great for most Living Pokedex collectors.

36-pocket Stay-flat binder

• Absolutely massive (bigger is better).
• Holds your entire Dex and then some.
• Just know it gets heavy (probably hard to steal)

If you're splitting up your Pokedex into multiple binders:

9-pocket Stay-flat binders

• Easy to theme and customize
• Perfect for breaking things up by gen, type, or region
• Great if you like a more curated, modular setup

At the end of the day, your binder choice really comes down to how you want to showcase your Pokédex. But it pays to think ahead. With 1,025 Pokémon and counting, you’ll want a binder that can handle at least that many cards. Anything smaller and you’ll run out of space just as things start getting good.

Non-negotiables when choosing a binder:

Wide seams so it doesn’t buckle once your pages start filling in Side-loading pockets so your cards don't slide out when you flip through and admire High quality because you're putting time, energy, and money into your Pokedex

The last thing you want is to get deep into your Pokedex only to realize your binder can’t keep up.

Step 3: Stealing Some Great Resources

Alright, now that we’ve talked about the vibes and the binder layouts, let’s talk about stealing some resources. And by “steal,” I mean we have a Pokedex library of helpful resources we’ve put together for you.

Because just to be real… There might be a moment where you hit a wall and think, “There’s got to be an easier way to track all this.” (and there is).

We’ve teamed up with three awesome creatives who are each building their own Living Pokédex. Each one is totally different, and each one is worth stalking for ideas and inspiration.

Meet the Pokedex Builders

Grab Your Pokédex Library Card

Sign up to get access to the full Pokédex Library. It’s a shared Google Drive filled with resources from all three Pokédex Builders.

Inside the Pokedex Library, you find:

• Editable Living Pokédex spreadsheets
• Wishlist and collection tabs
• Printable placeholders for missing cards
• Binder layout templates
• Set symbol cheat sheets

These tools were built by collectors who are knee deep in the process, designed to make everything easier and way more fun for anyone jumping in. And honestly? It’s kind of nice knowing you’re not the only one trying to organize 1,000+ tiny creatures into a binder. 😆

Step 4: Starting the Hunt

Alright. You've got your vibe. You've got your binder. You've got your resources. Now it’s time to start hunting down the actual cards.

If you’re just getting started, you don’t have to drop a fortune on booster boxes. Head to your local card shop and ask if they’ve got a dollar bin. A lot of stores have bulk bins or commons for cheap, perfect for filling in early evolutions or grabbing weird favorites.

Bonus tip for parents: Speaking from experience, most shop owners are usually down to help kids hunt for specific cards.

A few more beginner-friendly tips:

• Start with the early gens. Gen 1 and Gen 2 are easy to find, super nostalgic, and satisfying to lay out.
• Don't stress the gaps. You can print placeholders from the Pokédex Library and swap them out as you go.

As you get further into your Pokedex build, keep your tracker open and your budget in mind. (It’s way too easy to black out and buy multiple Psyducks.)

Step 5: Tracking Your Pokédex Progress

Once you’ve got your binder set up and you’ve started collecting, you’ll want a system to track what you have and what you still need. Otherwise, things get chaotic fast.

Luckily, if you grabbed the Pokédex Library, you’ve already got some solid tools in your corner, like editable trackers, wishlist tabs, and even printable placeholders to keep those empty slots from haunting you.

Here’s what we recommend:

• Update your tracker regularly. After a card haul. After trades. After reorganizing or changing your mind.
• Highlight your wishlist. Helps with trades, shopping, or when your grandma asks what you want for your birthday.
• Use placeholders. It’s surprisingly motivating to see those placeholder spots instead of just blank pages.

Keeping your Pokédex organized keeps the project more manageable. It’ll also just make every new addition hit harder when you have clear visibility on the progress. And honestly, nothing’s more satisfying than seeing those binder pages filling in. IYKYK

Now Go Build Something Cool

We’ve talked Pokédex vibes, binders, and met some collectors who are in the thick of building and having fun doing it. Now it’s your turn.

Hopefully, if you’ve made it this far, you’re feeling good about starting your Pokédex. Just one last thing to keep in mind before you head out… this is your project. You can go about it any way you want.

The main thing? Have fun, protect your cards, and stay organized so it never feels overwhelming.

And hey, if you ever need more sleeves or card protection gear… we know a guy.