How to Unlock Every Charm Notch in Hollow Knight

In the treacherous depths of Hallownest, your survival depends on more than just your reflexes; it depends on your build. Charms offer the Knight powerful buffs, ranging from increased nail reach to devastating spell enhancements. However, these charms require "Notches" to equip. Understanding how to expand your capacity is one of the most critical progression steps in the game.

You start your journey with 3 base charm notches. To reach the maximum capacity of 11 notches, you must track down 8 additional slots hidden across the kingdom. These are obtained through three primary methods: purchasing them from a specialized vendor, discovering them in the environment, or proving your worth in combat.

The Quick Breakdown of All 11 Charm Notches

If you are looking for a checklist to see which ones you are missing, here is the complete list of all charm notches available in Hollow Knight:

Initial Capacity: 3 Notches (Given at the start).
Salubra’s Shop: 4 Notches (Purchased in Forgotten Crossroads).
Fungal Wastes: 1 Notch (Reward for defeating two Shrumal Ogres).
Fog Canyon: 1 Notch (Found in a hidden room near Cornifer).
Colosseum of Fools: 1 Notch (Reward for completing the Trial of the Warrior).
Grimm Troupe DLC: 1 Notch (Reward for defeating Troupe Leader Grimm).

By following this guide, you will learn exactly how to navigate the requirements for each, including the specific Geo costs and the bosses you need to overcome.

Understanding the Charm Notch Mechanic

Every charm in Hollow Knight has a specific "cost" represented by notches. A simple charm like Wayward Compass costs 1 notch, while high-tier power-ups like Quick Focus or Mark of Pride cost 3.

The Overcharmed State

One advanced mechanic often overlooked by new players is "Overcharming." If you have at least one open notch, you can attempt to equip a charm that costs more than your remaining slots. For example, if you have 1 notch left and try to equip a 3-notch charm, the game will reject it at first. However, if you keep clicking (usually five times), the Knight will eventually force the charm into place.

While Overcharmed, you gain the benefits of that extra charm, but you take double damage from all sources. In my experience, this is a "glass cannon" strategy best reserved for late-game challenges like Radiant difficulty bosses in the Hall of Gods, where you would die in one hit anyway. During regular exploration, avoid being overcharmed unless you are extremely confident in your dodging abilities.

Purchasing Notches from Salubra the Slow

The most reliable way to increase your notch count is by visiting Salubra. Her shop is located in the Forgotten Crossroads, specifically in the bottom-right section of the map, tucked away in an abandoned village. You will need the Mothwing Cloak (dash) to reach her.

Salubra doesn't just sell notches for Geo; she requires you to be a "Charm Lover." You must collect a specific number of unique charms before she will even show you the notches in her inventory.

Notch 1: The First Upgrade

Requirement: Own 5 Charms.
Cost: 120 Geo. This is the easiest notch to get. By the time you find Salubra, you likely already have Soul Catcher (from Ancestral Mound) and Wayward Compass (purchased from Iselda). Buy a few more low-cost charms like Stalwart Shell or Gathering Swarm from Sly in Dirtmouth to hit the 5-charm milestone.

Notch 2: Stepping Up

Requirement: Own 10 Charms.
Cost: 500 Geo. To hit 10 charms early, I recommend rescuing Grubs. Once you rescue 10 Grubs, the Grubfather rewards you with the Grubsong charm. Additionally, defeating the Mantis Lords or exploring the hidden corners of Greenpath will help fill your inventory without breaking the bank.

Notch 3: Mid-Game Power

Requirement: Own 18 Charms.
Cost: 900 Geo. Getting 18 charms requires significant exploration. You should look into the "Fragile" charms sold by Leg Eater in the Fungal Wastes. Even if you don't plan to use them (since they break upon death), they count toward Salubra’s total.

Notch 4: The Final Purchase

Requirement: Own 25 Charms.
Cost: 1,400 Geo. This is a late-mid-game goal. You will likely need to explore the City of Tears, Crystal Peak, and the Royal Waterways to find enough charms. Remember that "Unbreakable" upgrades from Divine do not count as "new" charms—they replace the fragile versions.

Discovering Notches through Exploration

Two notches are found directly in the world. Unlike the ones from Salubra, these require no Geo, but they do require specific abilities and a bit of combat prowess.

Fungal Wastes: The Shrumal Ogre Challenge

Located in the upper-right section of the Fungal Wastes, near the entrance to the City of Tears, there is a room inhabited by two Shrumal Ogres. These large, mushroom-like creatures slam their heads into the ground and spit acidic spores.

Combat Tip: The trick here is spacing. When an Ogre prepares to slam, dash away. When it finishes the slam, it is vulnerable for two or three nail strikes. If both are active, focus on one at a time. Using spells like Vengeful Spirit can help you deal damage from a safe distance. Once both are defeated, a charm notch will spawn in the center of the room.

Fog Canyon: The Hidden Sanctuary

This notch is notoriously difficult for new players to find because Fog Canyon is a confusing, vertical map. The notch is located in a room in the upper-left section of the main chamber, just north of where you encounter the map-maker Cornifer.

To reach it, you generally need the Isma’s Tear (to swim in acid) or the Monarch Wings (double jump). However, in my speedrun attempts, I’ve found you can actually reach it using the Crystal Heart (super dash) from a specific ledge, though it requires pixel-perfect timing. Once inside the room, you must navigate through a series of environment hazards (exploding jellyfish and thorns) to reach the notch at the end of the path.

Earning Notches through Combat Trials

The final two notches are tied to some of the most iconic challenges in Hallownest: the Colosseum of Fools and the Grimm Troupe.

The Colosseum of Fools: Trial of the Warrior

The Colosseum is located at the very top of Kingdom’s Edge. To earn the charm notch, you must complete the first trial: the Trial of the Warrior.

Entry Fee: 100 Geo.
The Challenge: You will face waves of Shielded Fools, Sharp Baldurs, and Vengefly Kings.
The Reward: Upon completion, you receive a massive pile of Geo and one charm notch.

Trial Strategy: In my experience, the best charm setup for the Colosseum includes Mark of Pride for reach and Quick Focus for healing during the brief windows between waves. Don’t get greedy with attacks; prioritize dodging the projectiles of the Primal Aspids, as they are the true run-killers in this arena.

The Grimm Troupe: Defeating Troupe Leader Grimm

This notch is part of the free Grimm Troupe DLC content. To start this quest, you must summon the Troupe in the Howling Cliffs. After collecting the first set of flames with the Grimmchild charm equipped, you will return to Dirtmouth to face Troupe Leader Grimm.

Grimm is a dance-like boss. His movements are telegraphed and rhythmic.

Fire Bats: Jump over the first bat and dash through the rest.
Spikes: Stand still and move slightly to the side; the hitboxes are narrow.
Pufferfish Attack: Go to the corner and jump rhythmically.

Defeating Grimm doesn't just advance the story—it grants you a charm notch. Note that you do not need to defeat Nightmare King Grimm (the much harder version) to get the notch; the regular boss fight is sufficient.

How to Get 25 Charms Quickly for Salubra

Since the last notch from Salubra requires 25 charms, you might feel stuck. Here is a curated list of "low-effort" charms you can snag early to hit that milestone:

Wayward Compass: Buy from Iselda (Dirtmouth).
Gathering Swarm: Buy from Sly (Dirtmouth).
Stalwart Shell: Buy from Sly (Dirtmouth).
Soul Catcher: Found in Ancestral Mound after defeating the Elder Baldur.
Shaman Stone: Buy from Salubra.
Steady Body: Buy from Salubra.
Longnail: Buy from Salubra.
Thorns of Agony: Found in a thorny maze in Greenpath (requires Dash).
Fury of the Fallen: Found in King’s Pass (the tutorial area) behind a secret wall.
Baldur Shell: Found in Howling Cliffs (behind a fake wall near the chest).
Grubsong: Reward from Grubfather for 10 Grubs.
Fragile Heart: Buy from Leg Eater (Fungal Wastes).
Fragile Greed: Buy from Leg Eater.
Fragile Strength: Buy from Leg Eater.
Dashmaster: Found beneath the Mantis Village near the entrance to Royal Waterways.
Mantis Mark of Pride: Defeat Mantis Lords and open the chest in their village.
Spell Twister: Found in a secret room in the Soul Sanctum (City of Tears).
Quick Focus: Buy from Salubra.
Lifeblood Heart: Buy from Salubra.
Spore Shroom: Found in the Fungal Wastes near the Queen’s Station.
Defender’s Crest: Defeat the Dung Defender in Royal Waterways.
Glowing Womb: Found in the Forgotten Crossroads (requires Crystal Heart).
Heavy Blow: Buy from Sly (requires Shopkeeper's Key).
Sprintmaster: Buy from Sly (requires Shopkeeper's Key).
Grimmchild: Talk to Grimm after summoning the Troupe.

Strategic Value of Having 11 Notches

Why go through all this trouble? Because the best charm combinations require massive notch capacity. Here are three "God-tier" builds that only become possible with 10 or 11 notches:

1. The Ultimate Nail Build

Charms: Quick Slash (3), Mark of Pride (3), Strength (3), Steady Body (1).
Total Cost: 10 Notches.
Why it works: You become a whirlwind of destruction. Your reach is massive, your damage is boosted by 50%, and you can spam attacks without being knocked back.

2. The Spellcaster Build

Charms: Shaman Stone (3), Spell Twister (2), Soul Eater (4), Grubsong (1).
Total Cost: 10 Notches.
Why it works: Shaman Stone makes your spells huge and powerful. Soul Eater ensures you have nearly infinite Soul to cast them. This is the best build for defeating late-game bosses like the Radiance.

3. The "I Refuse to Die" Build

Charms: Quick Focus (3), Deep Focus (4), Grubsong (1), Shape of Unn (2).
Total Cost: 10 Notches.
Why it works: Deep Focus makes every heal restore two masks, while Quick Focus makes it fast. Shape of Unn allows you to move while healing to dodge attacks. This is the ultimate "safety net" for exploring difficult areas like the White Palace.

Summary: Your Notch Progression Path

To maximize your efficiency, I recommend obtaining notches in this order:

Fungal Wastes Notch: Get this as soon as you enter the area. The Shrumal Ogres are easy once you have the Dash.
Salubra’s first 2 Notches: You should have 10 charms by the time you leave the City of Tears.
Trial of the Warrior: Do this as soon as you find the Colosseum. It’s a great Geo farm anyway.
Fog Canyon Notch: Grab this once you have Isma's Tear.
Salubra’s remaining Notches: Farm Geo and Grubs to hit the 25-charm mark.
Grimm’s Notch: Save this for the late game, as the Grimm fight can be punishing if your nail isn't upgraded.

FAQ

How many charm notches can you get in Hollow Knight?

There are a total of 11 charm notches. You start with 3 and can find or buy 8 more.

Can you get more than 11 notches?

No, 11 is the hard cap in the base game and DLCs. However, you can use the "Overcharmed" mechanic to equip one extra charm at the cost of taking double damage.

Does the King’s Soul or Void Heart count as a charm for Salubra?

Yes, every charm in your inventory counts toward the total required to buy notches from Salubra.

I defeated Grimm but didn't get a notch. Why?

Ensure you are playing with the Grimm Troupe DLC enabled (which it is by default in the Voidheart Edition). The notch is dropped by Troupe Leader Grimm, the first time you fight him in his tent.

Where is Salubra’s shop?

She is located in the Forgotten Crossroads. You must go to the bottom right of the map, past the room with the many small platforms and explosive husks. You will see a small building with pink lights.

Is there a notch in the Hive?

No, there is no charm notch in the Hive. There is, however, the Hiveblood charm, which is very useful for platforming.

Conclusion

Expanding your charm notch capacity is the single best way to "lower the difficulty" of Hollow Knight. It allows you to mix and match abilities to suit your playstyle, whether you prefer brute force nail attacks or tactical spell casting. Start by visiting Salubra early, keep an eye out for the Shrumal Ogres in the Fungal Wastes, and don't be afraid to step into the Colosseum of Fools. With 11 notches, the Knight becomes a true force of nature, ready to face the deepest secrets of Hallownest.