Pokémon TCG Format Legality
View the current Standard format regulation marks and Expanded format banned cards. All information can be officially found on the Pokémon website.
These rules apply to officially sanctioned tournaments.
Standard Format
Regulation MarksCards with the following regulation marks are legal in Standard format. Cards without regulation marks can be used if a legal reprint exists.
| Regulation Mark | Status | Effective Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| H | ✓ Legal | Apr 11, 2024 | Legal in 2025 Standard format |
| I | ✓ Legal | Apr 11, 2026 | Legal in 2025 Standard format |
| J | ✓ Legal | Apr 10, 2026 | Legal in 2026 Format |
| F | ✗ Rotated Out | Apr 11, 2025 | Rotated out in 2025 Standard format |
Note: Basic Energy cards are always legal in Standard format, regardless of regulation mark. Older versions of cards can be used if a legal reprint exists with a current regulation mark.
Expanded Format
25 Banned CardsThe Expanded format includes all cards from Black & White onwards, except for the following banned cards. View the official ban list here.
Format Information
Standard Format: Uses regulation marks to determine card legality. The current legal marks are shown above.
Expanded Format: Includes all cards from Black & White onwards, except for the banned cards listed above.
Unlimited Format: No restrictions apply. All cards can be used.
Tournament Legality: New cards typically become tournament legal two weeks after their release. Always check the official Tournament Rules Handbook for the most up-to-date information.