Where to Find HM05 Flash in Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green

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Pokémon expert Bryson Maddock explains how to find Flash

Co-authored by Hunter Rising Reviewed by Bryson Maddock

Last Updated: July 19, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Getting Flash
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• Best Pokémon
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• Using Flash Out of Battle
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• HM Locations
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• Video

|Show more |Show less

Are you stuck trying to find your way through the dark Rock Tunnel in your run of Pokémon Fire Red or Leaf Green? Flash is one of the Hidden Machines (HMs) that a Pokémon can learn and use outside of battle to light up a dark area, and you can get it from one of Professor Oak’s Aides hidden in the game. We partnered with a Pokémon expert to help us walk you through where to find Flash and which Pokémon to teach it to. In case you’re stuck, we’ll also cover how to find the rest of the HMs too!

How to Get HM05 Flash: Quick Steps

Pokémon expert Bryson Maddock says you have to talk to one of Professor Oak’s assistants to get Flash. Here’s what to do:

1. Capture 10 different types of Pokémon.
2. Enter Diglett’s Cave from Route 11 east of Vermilion City.
3. Travel north through the cave and exit at Route 2.
4. Head south and use Cut to chop down the tree.
5. Talk to Professor Oak’s Aide in the next building to receive the HM for Flash.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

How to Find HM05 Flash in Pokémon Fire Red

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1. 
   1
   Capture at least 10 different Pokémon. Maddock says when you talk to Professor Oak’s aide, they’ll check your Pokédex to see if you’ve captured at least 10 different Pokémon. If you haven’t caught many Pokémon yet, head to some tall grass and start catching them.

   • You can check how many Pokémon you’ve caught when you save your game or by checking your trainer card from the Start menu.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Bryson Maddock, or Unamused Bryson online, has been a fan of Pokémon since about the age of 5—especially the Pokémon games—and has created Pokémon content for TikTok and YouTube.
2. 
   2
   Head east of Vermilion City to enter Diglett’s Cave. Head to the south side of Vermilion City, and go east to enter Route 11. Pretty soon after the route’s entrance, look for the entrance to Diglett’s Cave just north of the path. Head into the cave and go down the ladder.

   • Maddock says you can only get here after you beat the third gym.
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3. 
   3
   Go north through Diglett’s Cave. Once you enter Diglett’s Cave, head north and follow the path up. There’s only one path, so you won’t get lost. When you reach the northern end of the cave, climb up the ladder and go through the exit to leave.

   • To avoid random encounters or battles, use a Repel to prevent Pokémon from appearing.
4. 
   4
   Head south and cut the tree. Once you exit the cave, head south along Route 2 until you run into a tree. Use a Pokémon that knows Cut to chop down the tree and continue along the path.
5. 
   5
   Enter the building and talk to Professor Oak’s Aide to receive Flash. Maddock says you’ll find the assistant inside the building. Simply look for the aide, who will be wearing a white lab coat and glasses. Talk to the aide, and he’ll gift you HM05 Flash as long as you have 10 Pokémon in your Pokédex.
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Section 2 of 4:

Best Pokémon to Teach Flash

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1. 
   Teach Flash to a Pokémon that you won’t use often. Maddock says that Flash isn’t very beneficial in battle. Don’t use it to take up an attack slot for your main team. Instead, choose a Pokémon that can learn Flash as well as other HMs that you can swap into your team whenever you need them. Some good Pokémon to teach Flash include:

   • Pikachu
   • Paras or Parasect
   • Psyduck or Golduck
   • Staryu or Starmie
   • Slowbro
   • Meowth
   • Voltorb

Section 3 of 4:

How to Use Flash Outside of Battle

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1. 
   1
   Defeat Brock to earn the Boulder Badge. Brock is the Rock-type leader of the Pewter City Gym, and is the first gym you’ll encounter in the game. When you defeat him, he will give you the Boulder Badge, which allows you to use Flash outside of Battle.

   • Use Water- or Grass-types to take down all of Brock’s Pokémon easily.
2. 
   2
   Choose the Pokémon you taught and select Flash. Maddock says that Flash is best for lighting up a dark area. When you’re in a dark area like Rock Tunnel, open the menu and select Pokémon. Pick the Pokémon you taught Flash and click A. A new menu will appear with Flash as an option. Once you select it, a circle of light will appear, illuminating your path.
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Section 4 of 4:

Other HM Locations in Pokémon Fire Red

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1. 
   1
   Cut (HM01) Visit the S.S. Anne cruise ship in Vermilion City. Head upstairs and look for the Captain in his room near the back of the ship. Talk to him, and he will give you Cut.

   • Cut allows you to chop down small trees outside of battle.
2. 
   2
   Fly (HM02) Go to Route 16 near Celadon City, and use Cut on the first tree north of the path. Go up into the new area, and head west through the building. Then, keep going west until you reach a small house. Go into the house, and talk to the girl inside to get Fly.

   • Fly allows you to go to any city that you’ve already visited.
3. 
   3
   Surf (HM03) Enter the Safari Zone in Fuchsia City. Go east immediately, and take the path on the side of the map. Continue east into the patch of grass, and head up the first set of stairs. Exit down the next set of stairs and go north to the next set of stairs. After exiting the second rocky section, head north and then west to the next path.

   • Walk west into the patch of grass, and take the second set of stairs up. Exit the rocky section on the stairs to your left. Then, head north, west, and then south toward the southern path.
   • Head west at the sign and enter the Secret House. An NPC there will gift you Surf as a reward for finding him.
   • Surf allows you to travel across water.
4. 
   4
   Strength (HM04) To get Strength, enter the Safari Zone and follow the same path you used to find Surf. Instead of turning toward the Secret House, head straight down and pick up the Gold Teeth. Leave the Safari Zone, and visit the house to the right of the Pokémon Center in Fuchsia City. Return the Gold Teeth to the Warden, and he’ll give you Strength.

   • Strength allows you to push boulders outside of battle.
5. 
   5
   Rock Smash (HM06) Go to Vermilion City and take the Seagallop Ferry to One Island. When you get there, head east and Surf on the water until you hit the first island on Kindle Road. Head north along the path and enter the first cave to go into the Ember Spa. Make your way to the back of the Ember Spa and talk to the old man to get Rock Smash.

   • Rock Smash allows you to break small rocks blocking paths outside of battle.
6. 
   6
   Waterfall (HM07) Use the Seagallop Ferry in Vermilion City to travel to Four Island. When you get there, head east and use Surf on the furthest eastern water section. Go north to enter Icefall Cave. Travel up through the cave and fall through the northernmost ice hole in the floor. Go up the ladder in the next room, and then fall into the second ice hole.

   • To solve the ice puzzle, go up, right, up, left, up, right, down, right, follow the path down, go left, and then go down to the ladder.
   • Waterfall will be on the ground in the next room.
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