How to Throw a Curveball in Pokémon GO

Updated 5 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

A curveball in Pokémon GO is a Poké Ball thrown with spin, making it curve toward the Pokémon and adding a catch bonus if it lands. You can use one on most wild encounters, and the basic technique works with a standard Poké Ball, Great Ball, or Ultra Ball.

What You’ll Need

A Pokémon encounter with a catch screen open.
At least one Poké Ball or other catch ball.
A touchscreen and enough room to swipe without accidentally leaving the encounter.

Step-by-Step

Open a wild encounter. Tap a Pokémon on the map, or enter another encounter where the game lets you throw a ball. The curveball method is performed on the catch screen, not while tapping the map.
Choose the ball you want to use. If needed, tap the ball icon to open the ball selection tray, then choose a ball. A curveball does not require a special ball; the throw technique is the same whichever standard catch ball you select.
Place your finger on the ball. Touch and hold the ball near the bottom of the screen. The target circle may shrink and grow while you hold it. You can release without throwing if you need to reset your timing.
Spin the ball in small circles. Move your finger in a quick circular motion on the ball until it visibly sparkles or spins. This animation is the useful confirmation that the ball has picked up spin. You do not need to draw a large circle or make several perfect rotations.
Swipe diagonally toward the target. While the ball is spinning, flick it toward the Pokémon with a diagonal swipe. For the common right-handed technique, spin the ball in a clockwise circle and swipe from the lower-left area toward the upper-right. For a left-handed technique, try counterclockwise spin and a lower-right-to-upper-left swipe. These are starting points, not mandatory directions: the ball’s curve and your hand position can differ.
Adjust for the curve. A spinning ball bends in flight, so aim slightly to the side of the Pokémon rather than swiping straight at its center. Watch where the ball travels, then make a small adjustment on the next attempt. The direction of the bend depends on the direction of the spin.
Time the release for a clean hit. Release the swipe so the ball reaches the Pokémon while it is not attacking or moving away. For a more controlled throw, wait for the colored target circle to shrink to a size you can hit, then release as the Pokémon settles. A curveball can still catch without a Nice, Great, or Excellent throw, but a smaller-circle hit can improve the catch chance.
Check the result and repeat if necessary. If the ball misses, the Pokémon may remain in the encounter, though it can sometimes flee. If you still have the encounter, spin again and change only one part of your throw—such as swipe angle or force—so you can tell which adjustment helped.

Common Mistakes

Swiping before the ball spins. A straight swipe before the sparkle animation usually produces a straight throw, not a curveball. Confirm the ball is visibly spinning before you flick.
Using a large, slow circle. Broad movements are harder to control and can cause you to lose contact with the ball. Keep the spin compact and quick.
Aiming directly at the center. The curve can carry the ball away from a straight-line path. Aim a little to the side, then correct based on the actual flight.
Swiping too hard or too softly. Excessive force may send the ball past the target; too little may make it fall short. Use a short, controlled flick and adjust gradually.
Throwing during an attack. The Pokémon may swat the ball away or jump as it arrives. Wait for the movement to finish before releasing.
Chasing an Excellent circle before learning the curve. A difficult target size is not necessary to make a curveball. First practise landing a curve consistently, then add circle timing.

Tips

Practise on an easy target. A nearby Pokémon with a large target circle is more forgiving than a distant or small target. This lets you focus on the spin and direction.
Keep the phone steady. Resting it in one hand or on a stable surface can make your swipe more repeatable. Avoid letting a case edge or another finger interfere with the screen.
Use a consistent starting point. Start each swipe from roughly the same place near the ball. A repeatable movement makes it easier to learn how much force and angle your device needs.
Use the target circle as a timing cue. The circle contracts while you hold the ball. Release when it is a size you can reliably hit; aiming smaller is useful only if you can still land the ball.
Remember the bonus is not a guarantee. A curveball throw provides a catch bonus when it registers, but it does not guarantee capture. Pokémon can still break free or flee.
Expect different throws for different targets. Distance, size, position, and movement change how much force and angle you need. Adjust your swipe instead of assuming one motion fits every encounter.

Troubleshooting

The ball flies straight. Make sure it sparkles before you release. If it does, try a more deliberate circular spin and avoid switching direction partway through. A brief spin animation is a better indicator than how many circles your finger makes.

The ball curves away from the Pokémon. The spin direction may be producing a bend opposite to the one you expected, or your swipe angle may be too extreme. Try reversing the spin direction, or reduce the diagonal angle and force. Make one adjustment per throw.

The ball keeps falling short or sailing past. Change swipe length or speed slightly. A short, quick flick usually gives more control than a long swipe, but the right amount varies with the target’s distance and your screen.

The Pokémon dodges, attacks, or knocks the ball away. Pause and watch its movement. Wait until an attack animation ends, then throw during the recovery window. Throwing while it is moving can make a well-aimed curve miss.

Your finger slips or the ball does not respond reliably. Clean and dry the screen and your fingertip, hold the phone securely, and try a smaller movement. If touch input is inconsistent across the screen, close and reopen the game; if the issue continues, check the device’s touchscreen or game settings.

You cannot tell whether the throw counted as a curveball. Look for the curveball feedback after a successful hit or catch. A ball that visibly spun before release should curve, but a miss may not provide the same clear confirmation. Practise on a forgiving target and watch the ball’s flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to make a full circle to throw a curveball?
No. Spin the ball until it visibly sparkles, then swipe. A compact, controlled spin is usually easier than tracing a large circle.

Which direction should I spin the ball?
Either direction can work. Many right-handed players start with a clockwise spin and a lower-left-to-upper-right swipe; many left-handed players try the reverse. Use the direction that sends the curve toward your target.

Does a curveball improve the chance of catching a Pokémon?
A registered curveball gives a catch bonus, but it is not a guarantee. The Pokémon can still break out or flee.

Can I throw a curveball with any Poké Ball?
Yes. The curveball technique works with standard Poké Balls, Great Balls, and Ultra Balls. The ball type affects the catch attempt, not the spin technique.

Does the target-circle size change the curveball bonus?
The curveball bonus and the Nice, Great, or Excellent throw bonus are separate aspects of the throw. A curve can land outside the target circle, while a well-timed curve inside a smaller circle can combine bonuses.

Why does my curveball miss even when I spin it?
Spin alone does not control the whole throw. Swipe angle, force, target distance, and Pokémon movement all matter. Adjust one factor at a time and wait for the Pokémon to stop moving before you release.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.