The concept of power level of a fighter in the manga Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z and the anime Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT refers to their ability to harness their chi (ki, or spiritual energy).

In the universe of Dragon Ball, such power levels can be accurately measured using a device known as a scouter , such as those used by Freeza and his men. Less technologically, power levels can also be "felt" by particularly skilled fighters. In addition, some warriors are known to be able to adjust their power at will (from their minimum to maximum power limits) or to suppress their ki output entirely-- making the distinction and comparison of raw power flawed.

With only a small number of exceptions, the exact power levels of characters is not spoken. The existence of a measurement unit for power was not introduced in the series until the arrival of Raditz in Dragon Ball Z, and as numbers proceeded to increase exponentially they quickly became useless. Most of the numbers here are provided from external semi-canon reference materials on the series, such as the official daizenshuu guides to the series.

Although some fans tend to use these numbers for hypothetical "who would beat who" debates, these relative power levels do not take into account advancement of techniques: only potential. Even with a lower power level, it is possible to magnify the power by concentrating it on a single point. As such, its only real purpose to be a rough guide and not an authoriative source.

Known Power Levels

The 21st Tenka'ichi Budôkai participants

• Kuririn: 97
• Bacterian : 14
• Yamcha: 73
• Jackie Chun (Muten-Rôshi): 139
• Nam: 87
• Ranfan: 14
• Guilan: 71
• Son Goku: 124
• Tao Pi Pi : 146

Red Ribbon Army Saga

• Karin: 169
• Son Goku (after Karin training): 157
• Grandpa Gohan: 156

The 22nd Tenka'ichi Budôkai participants

• Tenshinhan: 186
• Yamcha: 128
• Jackie Chun: 139
• Man Wolf: 19
• Kuririn: 143
• Chaozu: 138
• Pam Put: 56
• Son Goku: 186

Piccolo Saga

• Demon King Piccolo (old): 201
• Piccolo Daimao (young): 260
• Yajirobe: 181

  173

• Cymbal: 173
• Son Goku: 265

The 23rd Tenka'ichi Budôkai participants

• Tenshinhan: 250
• Tao Pai Pai: 189
• Son Goku: 330
• Chi Chi: 73
• Kuririn: 206
• Piccolo: 320
• Yamcha: 167
• Shen (Kami): 305

Arrival of Raditz

• Raditz: 1,200
• Piccolo (with weighted clothes): 322
• Son Goku (with weighted clothes): 334
• Piccolo (without weighted clothes): 408
• Son Goku (without weighted clothes): 416
• Son Goku (using the Kamehameha Wave): 924
• Piccolo (using the Special Beam Cannon): 1,330
• Son Gohan: 1
• Gohan (upset): 710
• Gohan (enraged): 1,307
• Muten-Rôshi: 139
• Muten-Rôshi's Turtle: 0.001
• Kuririn: 206
• Tenshinhan: 250
• Yamcha: 177

Arrival of Vegeta

• Son Gohan (hiding full power): 981
• Kuririn (hiding full power): 1,083
• Piccolo (hiding full power): 1,220
• Saibamen: 1,200
• Son Gohan (using the Masenko): 2,800
• Son Goku (hiding full power): 5,000
• Son Goku (actual power): 8,000
• Vegeta: 18,000
• Son Goku (using the Kaiô-ken ): 16,000
• Son Goku (using the Kaiô-ken x3): 24,000
• Son Goku (using the Kaiô-ken x4): 32,000

Namek Saga

• Vegeta (upon arrival): 24,000
• Kiwi: 18,000
• Son Gohan: around 1,500
• Kuririn: around 1,500
• Son Gohan (after having power unleashed by Guru): over 10,000
• Kuririn (after having power unleashed by Guru): over 10,000
• Vegeta (fighting ): over 20,000
• Son Goku: 90,000
• Captain Ginyu: 120,000
• Son Goku (using the Kaiô-ken): 180,000
• Captain Ginyu (inside of Son Goku's body): 23,000
• Nail: 42,000
• Freeza (Form 1): 530,000
• Freeza (Form 2): over 1,000,000
• Freeza (Form 3): 2,500,000
• Freeza (Form 4 - 33%): 4,000,000
• Freeza (Form 4 - 50%): 6,000,000
• Freeza (Form 4 - 70%): 8,400,000
• Freeza (Form 4 - 100%): 12,000,000
• Son Goku (Base Level): 300,000
• Son Goku (Kaiô-ken x10): 3,000,000
• Son Goku (Kaiô-ken x20): 6,000,000
• Super Saiyan Goku: 15,000,000

Trunks Saga

• Future Trunks (hiding full power): 5
• King Cold (Freeza´s father, apparently in Form 2): 13,000,000
• Cyborg Freeza (still in Form 4): 12,500,000
• SSJ Future Trunks: 17,000,000
• SSJ Goku: 20,000,000

Android Saga

Note: All power levels beyond this point are a guess. In the mangas, Japanese series, and Daizenshuus, Toriyama never listed or authorized any power levels after the Freeza Saga, as he felt they limited his ability to be flexible and creative with the outcome of battles. The following Power Levels are mearly a guess. They are never listed in any of the series, manga or daizenshuu.

• Yamcha: 1,000,000
• Android 17: 35,000,000
• Android 18: 35,000,000
• Android 19: 10,000,000
• Android 20 (Cyborg Gero): 5,000,000
• SSJ Goku (Not Sick): 25,000,000
• SSJ Goku (Sick): <10,000,000 (Drops as Heart Virus Progresses)
• SSJ Vegeta: 27,000,000
• Piccolo: 8,000,000