Pokemon booster box / ETB expected value calculator
Enter the box price, number of packs, and for each hit tier its pull rate (1 in N packs) and the average value you could sell it for. All figures are yours; this page does not publish card prices or official pull rates.
Worked example
Illustration with made-up inputs (not real pull rates or prices): a 36-pack box at S$250, a S$30 hit 1 in 12 packs (3 expected), a S$200 hit 1 in 72 packs (0.5 expected) and S$0.50 of bulk per pack. EV = 3 x 30 + 0.5 x 200 + 36 x 0.5 = S$208.00, so on average you lose S$42.00 per box.
Illustrative inputs only - not price guidance. The result is computed with the same formula as the calculator.
How it works
Expected value (EV) is the average value you get back if you opened the same box many times: for each hit tier, packs / N x average value, plus the bulk. An EV below the box price means that, on average, opening loses money compared with buying singles - even though any single box can do much better or worse.
The Pokemon Company does not publish official pull rates. Community-collected rates vary by set and sample size, and card prices move quickly, so enter rates and prices you trust (for example recent sold listings) and re-check before buying.
Selling hits costs money too - use the selling fee calculator to turn sale prices into what you actually keep.
FAQ
Is it better to buy singles or open boxes?
If EV is below the box price, singles are usually cheaper for a specific card. People open boxes for fun or to keep sealed product - EV just puts a number on the trade-off.
Where do I get pull rates?
There are no official figures; collectors publish estimates from their own openings. Treat them as estimates and use the same source for every tier.
Does EV include fees?
No. EV uses the values you enter. Enter values after selling fees if you plan to sell.
Your numbers, your call
This tool uses only figures you enter. It does not publish card prices or pull rates. Page reviewed 12 Nov 2026.