Animal Crossing: New Horizons — What are Nook Miles and the Nook Mileage Program?

Animal Crossing New Horizons What Is Nookphone
Animal Crossing New Horizons What Is Nookphone (Image credit: Nintendo)

Animal Crossing is one of the few game series out there that doesn't rely on hacking or slashing your way through a 3D space. Instead, players get to do relaxing everyday tasks like going fishing, planting, harvesting, collecting shells on the beach, and selling everything you can fit in your pockets to the local shops. New Horizons helps incentivize you to participate in these activities by providing the Nook Mileage Program.

Much like Initiatives from New Leaf, Nook Miles are rewarded to you when you catch a certain number of fish or bugs, pull a certain amount of weeds, and so forth. Once you've earned Nook Miles, you can then use them to purchase items for your island or participate in activities. Here's everything you need to know about the Nook Mileage Program and what you can buy with Nook Miles.

Challenges in the Nook Mileage Program

So far, we've only gotten a tiny glimpse at what some of the Nook Mileage Program challenges are. However, by scouring videos and images, we've been able to see some of them. We've listed these initiatives in alphabetical order and will add more information as time goes on.

Angling for Perfection!

Animal Crossing New Horizons Nook Miles (Image credit: Nintendo)

From what little we've seen, it looks as though the first step in this challenge is to catch 10 fish, and the second step in the challenge is to catch 100 fish. We're currently unsure how many Nook Miles you get for completing these tasks, but we'll update when we learn more.

Cast Master

Animal Crossing New Horizons Nook Miles (Image credit: Nintendo)

To complete the first step on this challenge, you'll need to catch 10 fish in a row without letting one get away. There are two additional steps, but we currently don't know what you'll need to do to complete them. Additionally, we're unsure how many Nook Miles you get for completing these tasks, but we'll update when we learn more.

DIY Tools

Animal Crossing New Horizons Nook Miles (Image credit: Nintendo)

This challenge has five goals that revolve around the number of tools your craft. The first goal is to craft five tools. We're currently unsure how many tools you'll need to craft for the remaining goals or how many Nook Miles you'll earn for completing these goals.

Exterior Decorator

Animal Crossing New Horizons Nook Miles (Image credit: Nintendo)

No official description has been given for this set of challenges. However, it seems like you'll be rewarded for placing a certain number of furniture outdoors.

First-Time Buyer

Animal Crossing New Horizons Nook Miles (Image credit: Nintendo)

It seems like this might be a one-goal challenge where you'll be rewarded Nook Miles simply for purchasing something in-game.

First-Time Seller

Animal Crossing New Horizons Nook Miles (Image credit: Nintendo)

It seems like this might be a one-goal challenge where you'll be rewarded Nook Miles simply for selling something in-game.

Have a Nice DIY!

Animal Crossing New Horizons Nook Miles (Image credit: Nintendo)

This challenge is relatively easy. You need to collect several DIY recipes to earn these Nook Miles. However, we don't know how many DIY Recipes you need for each of the goals. Additionally, we're currently unsure how many Nook Miles you get for completing these tasks, but we'll update when we learn more.

Island Togetherness

Animal Crossing New Horizons Nook Miles (Image credit: Nintendo)

This challenge requires you to talk to all of the residents on your island. We're not entirely sure how many times in a row you'll need to do this to reach each of the goals. Additionally, we don't know how many Nook Miles you are rewarded for completing them.

Ninten Miles!

Animal Crossing New Horizons Nook Miles (Image credit: Nintendo)

In the Nintendo Direct, Ninten seemed to be the name of the island shown. That being the case, the title of this challenge will correspond with whatever name you give your island. We currently don't know what goals are contained in this challenge or how many Nook Miles you'll receive for completing them.

NookPhone Life!

Animal Crossing New Horizons Nook Miles (Image credit: Nintendo)

You complete this reward simply for using the NookPhone's features. We aren't sure how many Nook Miles you'll earn from doing this, or if there are specific NookPhone features, you'll need to use to unlock this reward.

Pick of the Bunch

Animal Crossing New Horizons Nook Miles (Image credit: Nintendo)

We currently don't know what this challenge entails. However, we assume it has something to do with picking fruits and vegetables either from trees or gardens. We'll update when we learn more.

Social Islander

Animal Crossing New Horizons Nook Miles (Image credit: Nintendo)

We don't know anything official about this challenge. However, it appears to be connected with the Island Togetherness challenge. We'll update when we learn more.

Treehouse Miles!

Animal Crossing New Horizons Nook Miles (Image credit: Nintendo)

We don't know what this challenge is exactly. Although, it may be related to a Nintendo Treehouse event slated for E3 2020.

Weed Eater

Animal Crossing New Horizons Nook Miles (Image credit: Nintendo)

You'll unlock the various goals on this challenge by pulling weeds on your island. We don't currently know how many Nook Miles you receive for doing this or the number of weeds required for unlocking each goal point. We'll update when we learn more.

You've Got the Bug

Animal Crossing New Horizons Nook Miles (Image credit: Nintendo)

You'll complete these challenges simply by collecting bugs. The first goal in the challenge is to catch 10 bugs. We currently don't know what the other goals are or how many Nook Miles you receive for completing them. We'll update when we learn more.

How do you spend Nook Miles, and what can you buy?

Animal Crossing New Horizons Nook Miles (Image credit: Nintendo)

Animal Crossing New Horizons Nook Miles (Image credit: Nintendo)

Source: Nintendo

First and foremost, you can use Nook Miles to pay off your Getaway Package loan to Tom Nook. However, you can also use Nook Miles to purchase items and customizations. There's a green terminal called the Nook Stop in the bottom right corner of Resident Services. Interact with it to view your options.

Just note that you'll need to do a lot of work with the Nook Mileage Program to afford the best Nook Miles rewards. Here are all of the things that we currently know of that you can purchase with Nook Miles:

Swipe to scroll horizontally
ItemsNook MilesCategory
Nook Inc. aloha shirt600Novelties
Nook Inc. tee600Novelties
Nook Inc. blouson800Novelties
Nook Inc. bandanna500Novelties
Nook Inc. cap500Novelties
Nook Inc. eye mask400Novelties
Nook Inc. socks400Novelties
Nook Inc. slippers400Novelties
Nook Inc. knapsack800Novelties
Nook Miles Ticket2,000Special
Custom Design Pro Editor800Special
Pretty Good Tools Recipe3,000Special
Tool Ring: It's Essential!800Special
Pocket Organization Guide5,000Special
Top 8 Pop Hairstyles2,400Special
Top 8 Cool Hairstyles2,400Special
Top 8 Stylish Hair Colors3,000Special
Rebecca Spear
Gaming Editor

Gaming aficionado Rebecca Spear is iMore's dedicated gaming editor with a focus on Nintendo Switch and iOS gaming. You’ll never catch her without her Switch or her iPad Air handy. If you’ve got a question about Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, or just about any other Nintendo series check out her guides to help you out. Rebecca has written thousands of articles in the last six years including hundreds of extensive gaming guides, previews, and reviews for both Switch and Apple Arcade. She also loves checking out new gaming accessories like iPhone controllers and has her ear to the ground when it comes to covering the next big trend.