Complete Guide to HM Locations in Pokémon Fire Red & Leaf Green

Hidden Machines (HMs) are special moves that can be used both in battle and to overcome obstacles in the overworld. This guide will help you find all seven HMs available in Pokémon Fire Red & Leaf Green.

Last updated: February 24, 2026

HM01 Cut

Location: S.S. Anne

How to get: Board the S.S. Anne in Vermilion City after obtaining the S.S. Ticket in Bill's house on Route 25. Battle your way to the Captain's quarters on the second floor and talk to him. After helping him out, he'll give you HM01 Cut.

Required Gym Badge: Cascade Badge (Cerulean City - Misty)

Field Use: Cut down small trees that block your path. Essential for progressing through the main story and accessing many optional areas.

💡 Tip

Make sure to explore the entire S.S. Anne before leaving - once you heal the Captain and leave the ship, it will sail away and you won't be able to return!

HM02 Fly

Location: Route 16

How to get: Enter the house near the western entrance of Route 16 (accessible from Celadon City). Talk to the girl inside, and she'll give you HM02 Fly.

Required Gym Badge: Thunder Badge (Vermilion City - Lt. Surge)

Field Use: Instantly fly to any Pokémon Center you've previously visited.

💡 Tip

Route 16 can be accessed from Celadon City by going through the western gate. You'll need to use Cut to reach the house where Fly is obtained.

HM03 Surf

Location: Safari Zone (Fuchsia City)

How to get: Go through the Safari Zone in Fuchsia City and make your way to Area 3. Inside the Secret House a man will give you HM03 Surf as a prize for finding him.

Required Gym Badge: Soul Badge (Fuchsia City - Koga)

Field Use: Surf across water. Essential for progressing through the game and accessing many routes, cities, and the Seafoam Islands.

💡 Tip

You'll need to pay ₽500 each time you enter the Safari Zone.

HM04 Strength

Location: Fuchsia City

How to get: After obtaining the Gold Teeth item from Area 3 of the Safari Zone, return to the Safari Zone Warden's house (southeast corner of Fuchsia City). Give him the Gold Teeth, and he'll reward you with HM04 Strength.

Required Gym Badge: Rainbow Badge (Celadon City - Erika)

Field Use: Push large boulders to solve puzzles and access new areas. Required for progressing through Victory Road and various optional areas.

💡 Tip

The Gold Teeth can be found in the same area as Surf (Area 3 of the Safari Zone). Make sure to grab them before leaving!

HM05 Flash

Location: Route 2

How to get: Enter the building on Route 2. Either access it via Viridian or Pewter City (Cut is required) or travel through Digglet's Cave. Talk to Professor Oak's Aide on the second floor. If you've caught at least 10 different Pokémon species, he'll give you HM05 Flash.

Required Gym Badge: Boulder Badge (Pewter City - Brock)

Field Use: Illuminate dark caves like Rock Tunnel and Victory Road.

💡 Tip

Flash is very helpful for navigating Rock Tunnel on your first visit. You can obtain it before reaching Rock Tunnel if you've been catching Pokémon along the way.

HM06 Rock Smash

Location: Ember Spa (One Island)

How to get: After gaining access to the Sevii Islands, travel to One Island. Enter the Ember Spa and talk to the man inside. He'll give you HM06 Rock Smash.

Required Gym Badge: Marsh Badge (Saffron City - Sabrina)

Field Use: Smash cracked rocks to clear paths. Essential for accessing certain areas in the Sevii Islands and finding hidden items.

💡 Tip

You'll be automatically taken to the Sevii Islands after defeating Blaine on Cinnabar Island.

HM07 Waterfall

Location: Icefall Cave (Four Island)

How to get: Travel to Four Island in the Sevii Islands (post-game). Enter Icefall Cave and navigate through it. Deep inside the cave, you'll find Lorelei of the Elite Four. After helping her deal with Team Rocket, she'll give you HM07 Waterfall.

Required Gym Badge: Volcano Badge (Cinnabar Island - Blaine)

Field Use: Climb waterfalls to reach higher elevations. Required for accessing certain areas in the Sevii Islands.

Best Pokémon for HM Coverage

Instead of teaching HMs to your main battling team, many players prefer to have dedicated Pokémon that can learn multiple HMs. Here are some excellent options that are easy to obtain and provide great coverage:

🌟 Top Recommendation: Nidoking or Nidoqueen

Where to find: Nidoran♂ (Fire Red) or Nidoran♀ (Leaf Green) on Routes 3, 5, and Safari Zone. Evolve with a Moon Stone from Nidorino and Nidorina respectively.

HMs it can learn (4/7):

HM01 Cut
HM03 Surf
HM04 Strength
HM06 Rock Smash

Missing: Fly, Flash, and Waterfall - but has excellent early-game coverage including Cut!

🔥 Alternative (Fire Red): Golduck

Where to find: Psyduck can be caught with the Super Rod in various locations (Routes 4, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25). Evolves into Golduck at level 33. Note: Fire Red exclusive!

HMs it can learn (5/7):

HM03 Surf
HM04 Strength
HM05 Flash
HM06 Rock Smash
HM07 Waterfall

Missing: Cut and Fly - but this single Pokémon covers most of your HM needs!

🍄 Good Early Game Option: Parasect

Where to find: Paras can be caught in Mt. Moon and Safari Zone,. Evolves into Parasect at level 24.

HMs it can learn (3/7):

HM01 Cut
HM05 Flash
HM06 Rock Smash

Missing: Fly, Surf, Strength, and Waterfall - but provides good early-game utility coverage!

💧 Alternative: Gyarados

Where to find: Gyarados evolves from Magikarp (Lvl 20) which can be bought for ₽500 at Mt. Moon or fished from pretty much anywhere with an Old Rod.

HMs it can learn (4/7):

HM03 Surf
HM04 Strength
HM06 Rock Smash
HM07 Waterfall

Missing: Cut, Fly, and Flash

🦀 Alternative: Kingler

Where to find: Krabby can be caught with the Good Rod or Super Rod in various locations (Routes 4, 10, 11, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, and 24). Evolves into Kingler at level 28.

HMs it can learn (4/7):

HM01 Cut
HM03 Surf
HM04 Strength
HM06 Rock Smash

Missing: Fly, Flash, and Waterfall - but offers Cut coverage that Gyarados lacks!

✈️ Flying Options

Since most versatile HM users can't learn Fly, you'll want a dedicated Flying-type. Good early-game options include:

Pidgeot - Pidgey is found on Routes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 24, and 25.
Fearow - Spearow found on Routes 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 22, and 23.
Farfetch'd - Can be traded for a Spearow in Vermilion City. Also learns Cut, giving you a 2-in-1 option for Flying and Cutting!

HM Quick Reference Table

HM	Move	Location	Required Badge
HM01	Cut	S.S. Anne (Vermilion City)	Cascade Badge
HM02	Fly	Route 16 (west of Celadon City)	Thunder Badge
HM03	Surf	Safari Zone Warden (Fuchsia City)	Soul Badge
HM04	Strength	Safari Zone Warden (Fuchsia City)	Rainbow Badge
HM05	Flash	Route 2 (requires 10 Pokémon)	Boulder Badge
HM06	Rock Smash	Ember Spa (One Island)	Marsh Badge
HM07	Waterfall	Icefall Cave (Four Island)	Volcano Badge