How to use the barbell plate calculator
- Enter the total weight you want to lift.
- Select your bar weight.
- Choose the plates available to you.
- Load the displayed plates on each side of the bar.
Barbell Plate Calculator
Load the bar. No maths required.
Enter your target weight and we will show you exactly which plates to put on each side of the bar.
Plates calculated
| Plate weight | Quantity (each side) |
|---|---|
| 20 kg | 2 |
You can make 100 kg from 2 plates each side plus the bar weight of 20 kg.
Target: 100 kg
Each side
20 + 20 kg
20 kg bar
+ 40 kg per side
= 100 kg total
Track your working weights and plan your next session with OVED.
Request beta access →Does barbell weight include the bar?
Yes. When someone describes a barbell lift as 100 kg, that normally means the total loaded weight including the bar. Select the correct bar weight before loading plates.
How much does an Olympic bar weigh?
A common men's Olympic bar weighs 20 kg, or approximately 45 lb. A common women's Olympic bar weighs 15 kg, or approximately 35 lb. Bars can vary, so check the bar you are using.
How are barbell plates calculated?
The basic formula is:
(Target weight - bar weight) / 2
For a 100 kg target with a 20 kg bar, 80 kg has to come from plates. Divide 80 kg by two and each side needs 40 kg, so you load 20 kg + 20 kg per side.
Standard weight plate sizes
The kg calculator uses 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 2.5 and 1.25 kg plates. The lb calculator uses 55, 45, 35, 25, 10, 5 and 2.5 lb plates.
Take the calculator into your workouts
OVED tracks your lifts, understands your training history and helps plan what you should do next.
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