What is a midichlorian count?

A midichlorian count is a term from the Star Wars franchise that refers to the number of microscopic organisms, called midichlorians, that live within the cells of certain beings and grant them a strong connection to the Force - an energy field that flows through all living things in the Star Wars universe.

The higher a person's midichlorian count, the stronger their connection to the Force and the greater their potential to become a powerful Jedi or Sith. The most famous example of a high midichlorian count is Anakin Skywalker (later known as Darth Vader), who has a count of over 20,000, which is said to be off the charts.

It should be noted that midichlorians and the concept of a midichlorian count have been a controversial addition to the Star Wars mythos, with some fans criticizing them for being a scientific explanation for something that was originally meant to be more mystical and mysterious.