Same name, different set
Search with the collector number and compare the set and artwork. A reprint can share a familiar name or illustration.
← Back to ScanDexYour Pokémon cards.
POKÉMON COLLECTOR GUIDE
Your Pokémon cards.
A collection that makes sense.
From your first pull to a binder full of favourites. Learn to scan a Pokémon card, check the match and keep the right version in your collection.
ScanCheck the matchCollect
Free to download · Optional Pro upgrades
Read the step-by-step tutorialTRY IT YOURSELF
One card. From scan to saved.
Illustrative demo · Fixed sample · No camera or account access
- 1 Frame
- 2 Scan
- 3 Review
- 4 Save
Pokémon / SAMPLE PREVIEW
Ready to practise? Bring the sample card into the frame.
CharizardSample match
Base Set · 4/102
English · Rare Holo · No live price
This sample artwork has a first-edition stamp. The name and number alone do not establish the printing; compare the artwork, stamp and border with your physical card.
Demo collection0 cards
Only this page changes. Reset or reload clears the demo.
FROM FIRST SCAN TO COLLECTION
How to scan Pokémon cards
with ScanDex
Check the set, collector number and foil finish. Take a moment at the review step; it is where you turn a suggested match into a useful collection entry.
- 01
Get your card ready
Place one card on a plain, contrasting surface in even light. Keep the whole card visible, including the name and the small collector number near the bottom. Wipe the camera lens. If a sleeve causes glare, change the light or angle first; only remove it if you can handle the card safely.
Look for: the card name, set mark or set name, collector number and language.
- 02
Choose Pokémon and the right language
Open ScanDex and choose the single-card scan option, then select Pokémon in the game picker. Allow camera access when prompted. If a language selector is available, match it to the printed card. Leave the set filter open if you are unsure which expansion it belongs to.
Android may show “Scan” or a first-card prompt. Exact labels and available controls vary by version and platform.
- 03
Frame, hold steady and capture
Keep all four edges inside the guide and the card upright. Hold the phone parallel to the card so small text stays readable. Follow the capture or matching prompt in your installed app. If several results appear, inspect them before choosing one.
A sharp, evenly lit card gives you a better starting point than a tight crop of just the artwork.
- 04
Confirm the exact card
Compare the suggested artwork with your card. Check the name, set and collector number together: the same Pokémon can appear in many expansions. For older cards, inspect any edition stamp and border differences. A matching name is only the first check.
For this demo, Charizard is Base Set 4/102. The pictured first-edition stamp is a detail you should inspect, not a guarantee that a scanner has resolved every printing.
- 05
Check the finish, then save
Review the available variant or holo controls against the physical card. Holo and reverse-holo are different finishes; do not treat them as interchangeable. Only confirm the add action once the identity looks right. Your app may show “Add 1 card” or “Add to Collection”; labels can vary by platform.
If the correct printing is not offered, search manually or report the missing card instead of knowingly saving a different version.
- 06
Build a collection you can use
Open My Collection and find the saved card. Check its details and owned quantity before adding another copy. Use a binder for a favourite set or a personal theme, and keep different language editions and printings distinct wherever those options are supported.
Try a simple routine: scan a small batch, verify your saved entries, then organise them. It is easier to catch mistakes early.
SMALL ADJUSTMENTS. BETTER SCANS.
When a match needs a second look
Foil glare hides the number
Move the light to the side, avoid direct flash and tilt the card slightly while keeping its edges visible.
Wrong language or no match
Check the selected language and set filter. Use the manual card search when automatic recognition cannot resolve the card.
A value looks surprising
Check the printing, language and condition before relying on a value. A listed estimate is not a guaranteed sale price; missing data is not a zero-value card.
Still stuck? Visit the Help Centre or report a scanning issue with the card name, number and language.
BEFORE YOU START
A few useful answers
Can I use this page to scan my own Pokémon card?
This page uses a fixed sample to explain the process. It does not open your camera or identify uploads. Use the ScanDex app for your own cards.
Does scanning prove a card is genuine or graded?
No. Identifying a catalogue entry does not authenticate a card or establish a professional grade. Check the physical card separately.
How should I track duplicate Pokémon cards?
Check the saved quantity before adding another copy. Keep differences such as language, printing and finish separate where supported, rather than counting every card with the same name as one version.
Is ScanDex free to download?
Yes. ScanDex is free to download with optional Pro upgrades. Check your installed app and store listing for current feature availability and purchase details.
YOUR NEXT CARD IS WAITING
Make it part of your collection.
Download ScanDex for iPhone or Android and try your own Pokémon cards.
Free to download · Optional Pro upgrades