About the Wilks Calculator
The Wilks score lets powerlifters of different body weights compare their strength on one scale. A 60 kg lifter totalling 450 kg and a 110 kg lifter totalling 700 kg are hard to rank on raw numbers; Wilks multiplies each total by a body-weight coefficient so the result reflects relative strength. This Wilks calculator gives both the classic Wilks formula and the revised Wilks 2020 version.
Enter your best squat, bench press and deadlift (or a meet total by putting it all in one field) along with your body weight in kilograms or pounds. The calculator converts pounds to kilograms, adds up the total and applies the sex-specific coefficients.
Wilks was the standard in many federations for decades; the IPF now uses its own GL points, and DOTS is also popular. Wilks is still widely quoted in gyms, online rankings and older meet results, so it remains a useful yardstick for comparing lifters and tracking your own progress as your weight changes.
With the default inputs, the wilks score is 370.27. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the wilks calculator
- 1Select your sex and whether you are entering kilograms or pounds.
- 2Enter your body weight (weigh-in weight for a meet).
- 3Enter your best squat, bench press and deadlift.
- 4Read your Wilks and Wilks 2020 scores and compare them with other lifters.
Formula and method
The Wilks coefficient is 500 divided by a fifth-degree polynomial of body weight x in kilograms, with different coefficients a–f for men and women. Your total (squat + bench + deadlift, in kg) is multiplied by that coefficient. Body weight is clamped to the range the formula was fitted for (men 40–201.9 kg, women 26.51–154.53 kg).
Wilks 2020 uses the same structure with a numerator of 600 and re-fitted coefficients based on more recent competition data, so its scores run higher than the original. Pounds are converted with 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg before calculating.
- x
- Body weight in kilograms
- a–f
- Sex-specific polynomial coefficients
- Total
- Squat + bench press + deadlift in kg
Worked examples
90 kg man totalling 580 kg
At 90 kg the male Wilks coefficient is about 0.6384, so a 580 kg total scores roughly 370.3 Wilks. The Wilks 2020 formula gives about 444.9 for the same lifts.
63 kg woman totalling 350 kg
A 63 kg woman gets a coefficient of about 1.074, so her 350 kg total is worth roughly 375.9 Wilks — slightly more relative strength than the 90 kg man in the first example, despite a total 230 kg lighter.
198 lb lifter with a 1,300 lb total
198 lb converts to 89.8 kg and a 1,300 lb total to 589.7 kg. The coefficient at that weight is about 0.639, giving a Wilks of roughly 376.8.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Wilks score?+
Rough guides: under 300 is novice to beginner-intermediate, 300–400 is intermediate, 400–500 is advanced and competitive, and 500+ is elite. The best lifters in the world score above 600 on the original Wilks.
What is the difference between Wilks and Wilks 2020?+
Wilks 2020 (Wilks2) was published by Robert Wilks with coefficients refitted to modern results and a numerator of 600 instead of 500. Scores are roughly 20% higher and fairer across very light and very heavy classes.
Does the IPF still use Wilks?+
No. The IPF replaced Wilks with IPF points in 2019 and then IPF GL points in 2020. Many other federations, gyms and online rankings still quote Wilks or DOTS.
Wilks vs DOTS — which should I use?+
DOTS was designed to fix Wilks biases at extreme body weights and is now common in non-IPF meets. For lifters of average weight the rankings are very similar; use whichever your federation or competition uses.
Can I calculate Wilks for a single lift?+
Yes. Enter only that lift and set the others to zero. The same coefficient applies, so the table also shows how many Wilks points each lift contributes to your total.
This tool gives general estimates and is not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or qualified professional about your health, diet or training.