Wilks Score Calculator

The Wilks Score normalizes your powerlifting total relative to your body weight, allowing fair comparison across different weight classes. Whether you are competing or training recreationally, your Wilks score reveals how strong you truly are pound for pound.

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What Is the Wilks Score?

The Wilks Score (also called the Wilks Coefficient) is a formula used in powerlifting to compare lifters across different body weights. A heavier lifter will almost always have a higher absolute total (squat + bench + deadlift), but that does not necessarily mean they are stronger relative to their size. The Wilks formula levels the playing field by applying a weight-dependent coefficient to the lifter's total.

Developed by Robert Wilks, the formula has been used by the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) and many national federations for decades. While newer alternatives like the DOTS and IPF GL coefficients have emerged, the Wilks score remains widely recognized and referenced.

The Formula

Wilks Score = Total (kg) × Coefficient(bw)

The coefficient is calculated from a 5th-degree polynomial based on body weight, with separate coefficients for men and women. The exact polynomial constants are built into this calculator.

How to Interpret Your Wilks Score

Wilks ScoreClassification
Below 200Beginner
200 – 300Intermediate
300 – 400Advanced
400 – 450Elite
450+World Class

Limitations

The Wilks formula tends to slightly favor middleweight lifters and may undervalue very light or very heavy athletes. The newer DOTS coefficient addresses some of these biases. Additionally, the Wilks score only applies to the powerlifting total and does not account for individual lift ratios or technique efficiency. Use it as one data point among many when evaluating your strength progress.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good Wilks score?
A Wilks score of 300 or above is generally considered advanced for recreational lifters. Competitive powerlifters at the national level typically score 350-450. World-class athletes exceed 450. Your target depends on your experience level and competitive aspirations.
Is the Wilks score still used in competition?
Many federations have transitioned to the IPF GL or DOTS coefficients for official rankings, but the Wilks score remains widely used for informal comparisons and in some national federations. Understanding your Wilks score is still valuable for benchmarking your strength development.
Can I calculate Wilks for individual lifts?
The Wilks formula was designed for the powerlifting total (squat + bench + deadlift). You can apply the coefficient to a single lift for a rough comparison, but the resulting number is not an official Wilks score and should not be compared directly to published total-based Wilks scores.
What is the difference between Wilks and DOTS?
DOTS (Dynamic Objective Team Scoring) is a newer coefficient that was developed to address some statistical biases in the Wilks formula, particularly at the extremes of body weight. DOTS is now the official coefficient for the IPF. Both serve the same purpose of comparing lifters across weight classes.
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