How Many Midi-Chlorians Did Anakin Have?

In the Star Wars universe, Anakin Skywalker was known for having the highest midi-chlorian count of any Jedi. This means he was perhaps the most Force-sensitive being in the galaxy, and this high midi-chlorian count is part of why he was such a powerful Jedi.

So, what was his midi-chlorian count?

Anakin was said to have “over 20,000” midi-chlorians, but the exact number is unknown. Fan theories have speculated the exact count could be anywhere from slightly above 20,000 up to 40,000.

How Many Midi-Chlorians Did Anakin Have?

In Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Qui-Gon Jinn takes a sample of 9-year old Anakin’s blood to check for his midi-chlorian count. When his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, analyzed the blood sample, he was shocked by what he saw.

“The reading is off the chart,” he tells Qui-Gon. “Over 20,000. Even Master Yoda doesn’t have a midi-chlorian count that high.”

“No Jedi has,” Qui-Gon replies.

So, what does this mean, exactly?

In Star Wars, midi-chlorians are microorganisms found living in the cells of other living organisms, similar to bacteria. However, unlike bacteria, midi-chlorians are intelligent beings in-tune with the Force; they are responsible for granting Force-sensitivity to their host. 

Though Anakin’s exact midi-chlorian count remains unknown, there is no mistaking the fact that this slave boy from the Outer Rim had a greater Force sensitivity than even the most powerful Jedi.

Largely based on this reading, Qui-Gon began to believe Anakin was the prophesied Chosen One–the Jedi who would restore balance to the Force.

Though his exact midi-chlorian count has never been confirmed, fans have speculated what that count might have looked like. Some suggest he had just over 20,000, while others suggest between 25,000 and 30,000. In fact, some even speculate he had close to 40,000.

Some fans speculate that he may have lost some of his midi-chlorians after becoming Darth Vader, specifically when his limbs were severed on Mustafar. 

Since midi-chlorians live in the cells of their host, it’s possible that a significant loss of body mass could have led to a loss of midi-chlorians for the Jedi-turned-Sith Lord.

That said, he was still strong in the Force, so if he did lose midi-chlorians, he likely didn’t lose enough to significantly impact his Force sensitivity.

Luke’s Midi-Chlorians

As the son of Anakin Skywalker, it would be expected that Luke Skywalker would also have an impressive midi-chlorian count. That said, force sensitivity doesn’t always pass from parent to child, so high numbers wouldn’t necessarily be hereditary.  

Luke’s exact number of midi-chlorians was unknown. The reason for this is simple; he was never tested for midi-chlorians.

So, everything we know about Luke’s Force sensitivity comes from the movies and fan speculation. We know from the movies that he was strong in the Force; but just how strong? We can only guess.

Some fans speculate that he had about 18,000 to 20,000 midi-chlorians, and that his twin sister, Leia, had the same amount. Some speculate they could each have had closer to 30,000.

Palpatine’s Midi-Chlorians

Again, the exact answer is unknown.

It is thought that Anakin had twice the midi-clorian count that Palpatine had, and that Yoda was somewhere in the middle. So if Anakin had around 20,000 midi-chlorians, Palpatine would have had about 10,000 and Yoda, around 15,000.

Many fans speculate all three characters had much greater numbers though. Some speculate Palpatine had as many as 25,000, while others speculate as little as 12,000. 

Regardless of the exact numbers, Palpatine’s midi-chlorian count was significantly less than both Anakin’s and Yoda’s, but his cunning mind and many years of training–as well as the fact that he was steeped in the dark side–made him extremely powerful.

Ahsoka’s Midi-Chlorians

Ahsoka Tano was Anakin’s Padawan during the Clone Wars, and she survived Order 66 on her own when she was just 17 years old. For this reason, it’s easy to speculate that she had a pretty high midi-chlorian count. 

Though her exact number was never revealed, many fans speculate that her numbers were lower than you might think: somewhere between 8,000 and 16,000. This goes to show that a Jedi’s midi-chlorian count isn’t everything. 

Ahsoka’s athleticism and exceptional skill with her lightsabers was every bit as important as her Force sensitivity and may have contributed more to her success.

Grogu’s Midi-Chlorians

Grogu, also known as Baby Yoda, was introduced in The Mandalorian and has repeatedly shown that he is strong in the Force. 

His midi-chlorian count hasn’t been revealed, despite that his blood was tested by Doctor Pershing in an effort to replicate his Force sensitivity. 

He is thought to have a midi-chlorian count similar to Yoda’s, but this doesn’t help much since Yoda’s count is also unknown. At any rate, he has exceptional powers for such a young, untrained Jedi, which suggests an unusually high number of midi-chlorians.

Rey’s Midi-Chlorians

Rey, the untrained-scavenger-turned-Jedi of the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy, is sometimes thought to be stronger in the Force than any other character in the franchise. 

She quickly mastered complex techniques such as telekinesis and mind control with no training, and she was able to best Kylo Ren in her very first lightsaber battle.

It stands to reason, then, that Rey would have an exceptionally high midi-chlorian count–possibly higher than Anakin did.

But Rey’s midi-chlorian count remains unknown. J.J. Abrams intentionally left midi-chlorians out of Episode VII: The Force Awakens, and they are never referenced in Episode VIII or IX either. Chances are, Rey’s midi-chlorian count will never be discovered or revealed.

Still, it is obvious that she is highly Force-sensitive and powerful, so fans have speculated that her midi-chlorian count is somewhere around 23,000.

Sarah Hood

Sarah Hood is a freelance content writer and editor with a love for all things Star Wars. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking, singing, and spending time in the great outdoors.