Ranking of Frieza's Forms, from Weakest to Strongest!

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Frieza’s first form has a power level of around 530,000, which is massive, but it’s barely half of what he reaches in his second form, which surpasses one million. In this initial and repressed state, Frieza is powerful enough to produce apocalyptic energy attacks, like his Supernova, which annihilates entire planets. It’s easy to see why Frieza could wield his power across the universe while hiding the true limits of his strength.

7. Frieza’s Second Form Has an Intimidating Power Level of One Million

Debut in Anime: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 78, "Fighting Power: One Million??"
Debut in Manga: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 102 (Dragon Ball Chapter 296), "The Transformation"

Frieza’s first form causes endless destruction and presents an incredible challenge to Gohan, Krillin, and Vegeta. The heroes are discouraged when they learn that this introductory form is just the beginning of an even greater power. Frieza’s first transformation into his second form still bears a strong resemblance to his previous state. The difference is that his second form is much larger and features more pronounced horns, which prove dangerous in their own right, as seen when he impales Krillin with them.

Frieza’s second form is a significant upgrade, seriously challenging the Z-Fighters until Piccolo steps in, matching the villain’s strength. Frieza’s father, King Cold, bears a strong resemblance to this second form—particularly in size—and it’s likely this is the form King Cold prefers to use. In theory, King Cold could simply be much larger than his son and grow even more when utilizing his first transformation.

6. Frieza’s Third Form Is His Assault State with a Monstrous Transformation

Debut in Anime: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 82, "Frieza's Second Transformation"
Debut in Manga: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 108 (Dragon Ball Chapter 302), "Freeza's Third Form"

Frieza’s third form, which comes from his second transformation, is perhaps his most terrifying state, resembling a monstrous design similar to the Xenomorph from Alien. While the other forms of Frieza have a somewhat regal and austere nature, this third state is animalistic and fierce, even though Frieza maintains control. Frieza is driven to reach this form when Piccolo surpasses him in his second form after the advantageous fusion with Nail. The transformation to his third form gives Frieza the upper hand once again, and only Gohan is able to stand against him—though only when he succumbs to an overwhelming rage.

This third form of Frieza has an exciting design that stands out from his other transformations, but it also appears for the shortest duration. This form only appears in one episode, suggesting that it may have more secrets and advantages that Frieza didn’t get a chance to fully show. Frost from Universe 6 briefly appears in this state, referring to it as his "Assault Form," which gives a better understanding of its purpose and the moments it should be used in battle.

5. Frieza’s True Form Is Intimidating After His Third Transformation

Debut in Anime: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 83, "Another Transformation?"
Debut in Manga: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 110 (Dragon Ball Chapter 304), "The Final Transformation"

Frieza’s third form quickly wreaks havoc on Piccolo, even after his fusion with Nail and significant power boost. It’s actually an enraged Gohan who forces Frieza to transform one last time into his fourth and true form. Frieza admits that his previous transformations were all mere disguises and that his fourth form represents his true self. Frieza’s apprehension toward the Saiyans’ strength, particularly Gohan’s potential for a Super Saiyan transformation, pushes him to prematurely leave his third form and fight seriously against Piccolo, Vegeta, Gohan, and Krillin.

At this point, only Goku is strong enough to face Frieza in his true form, but even he struggles, and he wouldn’t have survived their battle without eventually transforming into a Super Saiyan. Frieza mainly stays in his true form during his later appearances in Dragon Ball, and it’s interesting to note that other members of Frieza’s race, like Cooler and Frost from Universe 6, also treat this form as their most authentic state (though Cooler has an additional transformation). Frieza rarely needed to resort to his fourth form before the Z-Fighters’ attack on him, and it’s a sight no one has lived to recount.

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4. Frieza’s Full Power at 100% Offers Extreme Strength, but with Dangerous Stamina Consumption

Debut in Anime: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 98, "A Final Attack"
Debut in Manga: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 127 (Dragon Ball Chapter 321), "Maximum Desperation"

The heroes’ battle against Frieza stretches on, finding multiple ways to extend this epic confrontation as long as possible. Frieza declares that his fourth form is his final state, but he still manages to push beyond that by revealing his 100% Full Power form. This Full Power form of Frieza doesn’t present as drastic a physical change as his previous transformations. Instead, Frieza gains increased muscle mass and an intensified aura, not unlike the Third Grade Super Saiyan transformation that the heroes discover later during their battle against Cell. Frieza uses his 100% Full Power form to match Goku’s newly acquired Super Saiyan strength.

This form gives Frieza a massive boost in power, but it also drains his stamina severely, and he can only sustain it for a short period before collapsing. It’s arguably the least memorable transformation of Frieza, never appearing again in Dragon Ball. It even feels like a one-off addition to the anime, though it is present in the manga. Frieza’s return in Dragon Ball Super introduces a completely new transformation from intense training, but he oddly doesn’t seem to perfect his 100% Full Power form to maintain it longer or without such drastic stamina consumption. Frieza seems to abandon it entirely in favor of more extreme transformations.

3. Frieza’s Fifth Form is an Embarrassing Anomaly, Becoming a Footnote in Dragon Ball

Debut: Dragon Ball GT Show

Stage shows are a popular way to celebrate successful anime in Japan, and Dragon Ball is no exception to this tradition. Curiously, Dragon Ball GT—the exclusively animated continuation of Dragon Ball Z—received a stage show in 1997, Dragon Ball GT Show, which pits Goku, Trunks, and Pan against Don Kee and an army of vengeful aliens. The obscure villain from Dragon Ball GT, Don Kee, is the main antagonist in the show, but this niche property also features appearances from Frieza and Cell, both with new forms. Frieza and Cell work together in hell in the Dragon Ball GT anime, but Frieza doesn’t undergo any additional transformations. Dragon Ball GT Show presents a radically new look for the villain, inspired by Frieza’s fourth form but with added horns, spikes, striking red armor, and blue skin.

The additional form of Cell isn’t as ambitious, simply adding shoulder pads and teal plates to his Perfect Cell design. What’s interesting about Frieza’s original fifth form is that the Dragon Ball GT Show takes no inspiration from Cooler’s fifth form and instead indicates that Frieza has the same capabilities. It wouldn’t be difficult to direct Frieza in this direction or even give him a metallic transformation, like Meta-Cooler. This completely original design is certainly more unusual, but it’s also one of the deepest cuts in Dragon Ball. His full power isn’t even fully displayed in Dragon Ball GT Show, and it feels more like a visual revelation—though it can be assumed that it’s stronger than Frieza’s previous forms.

2. Golden Frieza Returns with Apocalyptic Powers

Debut in Anime: Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’
Debut in Manga: Dragon Ball Super, Chapter 37, "Awaken, Super Saiyan Kale"

Frieza is one of Dragon Ball’s most memorable villains, but Dragon Ball Z largely forgets him after his defeat on Planet Namek. Frieza returns in small doses in filler material, like Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn or Goku’s journey to hell in Dragon Ball GT, but these appearances feel more comedic relief, and he isn’t treated as a real threat. Moreover, Frieza sticks to his fourth form in these filler appearances. Dragon Ball Super (and the Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ movie) really brings Frieza back into the spotlight, having him escape hell and introducing a dangerous transformation: Golden Frieza. Frieza explains that he never truly needed to train in his life until now, and Golden Frieza is the result of his first real efforts.

Golden Frieza is a flashy new form for the villain, but it proves inferior to Goku and Vegeta’s Super Saiyan Blue strength. Golden Frieza manages to obliterate the Earth, but Whis’s Time-Skip erases those damages and secures his defeat. What’s interesting about Golden Frieza is that he showed various enhancements and advancements for this form during his preparations for the Tournament of Power. Fury Golden Frieza is a power boost that comes from pure rage, similar to Frieza’s previous 100% Full Power form. Additionally, True Golden Frieza represents the peak of this transformation, where he has complete control over his energy manipulation and power.

1. Black Frieza Is the Pinnacle of Power and Likely the Strongest Character in Universe 7

Debut in Anime: N/A
Debut in Manga: Dragon Ball Super, Chapter 87, "The Universe's Strongest Appears"

Frieza is a master of effective surprise, and none of his shocking ambushes is as revealing as his sudden return at the end of the Granolah, the Survivor saga in Dragon Ball Super. Goku, Vegeta, and Granolah have spent many chapters giving everything they’ve got against Gas from the Heeter Force, yet they can’t seem to defeat him. Combined efforts from Goku in Ultra Instinct, Vegeta in Ultra Ego, and Granolah in Maximum Power still can’t eliminate this overwhelming threat. It’s Frieza, of all people, who finally defeats Gas with a single punch. Frieza reveals that he exploited the limits of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber to pile up a decade’s worth of training, resulting in his final transformation: Black Frieza.

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Black Frieza, in addition to defeating Gas, also neutralizes Goku in Ultra Instinct and Vegeta in Ultra Ego with a single blow. The Oracle Fish prophecy even states that Black Frieza is currently the strongest individual in Universe 7. Black Frieza is so confident in his power that he turns his attention to the Zeno twins and multiversal domination, rather than a simple duel with his Saiyan rivals. All of this signals an epic confrontation against Black Frieza that will likely require the combined strength of Goku in Ultra Instinct, Vegeta in Ultra Ego, Gohan Beast, Piccolo Orange, and Broly Super Saiyan Legendary. Black Frieza’s power is unprecedented, and it’s hard to imagine he has access to even stronger forms. His strength is beyond divine at this point.