Wilks Calculator
Compare powerlifting strength across body weights. Enter your body weight, sex and total (or squat, bench and deadlift) to get your Wilks 2020 score and DOTS score, plus the original Wilks and the totals you would need at other body weights.
How to use the Wilks Calculator
- Choose sex and units.
- Enter your body weight, ideally your weigh-in weight.
- Enter your total or tick the box to enter squat, bench press and deadlift.
- Read your Wilks 2020 and DOTS scores.
- Use the table to see what total would give the same score at another body weight.
Wilks and DOTS formulas
Score = total (kg) × coefficient, where x is body weight in kg:
- Wilks 2020: coefficient = 600 ÷ (a + b·x + c·x² + d·x³ + e·x⁴ + f·x⁵)
- Original Wilks: coefficient = 500 ÷ (a + b·x + c·x² + d·x³ + e·x⁴ + f·x⁵) with different constants
- DOTS: coefficient = 500 ÷ (a + b·x + c·x² + d·x³ + e·x⁴)
| Constant | DOTS men | DOTS women |
|---|---|---|
| a | −307.75076 | −57.96288 |
| b | 24.0900756 | 13.6175032 |
| c | −0.1918759221 | −0.1126655495 |
| d | 0.0007391293 | 0.0005158568 |
| e | −0.000001093 | −0.0000010706 |
Body weight is limited to the range each formula was fitted on (DOTS: 40–210 kg for men, 40–150 kg for women).
Example scores
| Lifter | Total | Wilks 2020 | DOTS | Original Wilks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Man, 83 kg | 600 kg | 480.99 | 405.05 | 400.50 |
| Woman, 63 kg | 350 kg | 447.52 | 376.43 | 375.89 |
Frequently asked questions
What is a Wilks score?
The Wilks score multiplies the weight lifted by a coefficient based on the lifter's body weight and sex, so lifters of different sizes can be compared. Score = total (kg) × coefficient, where the coefficient comes from a fifth-degree polynomial of body weight.
What changed in Wilks 2020?
In 2020 the formula was updated with new coefficients fitted to modern competition results, and the numerator changed from 500 to 600, so Wilks 2020 scores are higher than original Wilks scores for the same lift. This calculator shows both.
What is the DOTS score?
DOTS is another body-weight-adjusted formula (a fourth-degree polynomial with numerator 500) that became popular in 2019–2020 and is used by many federations. Scores are on a similar scale to the original Wilks.
What is a good Wilks or DOTS score?
As a rough guide for DOTS or original Wilks, around 300 is a solid recreational lifter, 400 is competitive at a local level, 450–500 is national level and above 500 is elite. Wilks 2020 numbers run about 20% higher on average because of the 600 numerator.
Which formula does the IPF use?
The International Powerlifting Federation used Wilks until 2019, then switched to its own IPF formula, and since 2020 uses IPF GL points for best-lifter awards. Other federations use Wilks, Wilks 2020 or DOTS.
Can I use pounds?
Yes. Choose lb and the calculator converts body weight and lifts to kilograms (1 lb = 0.45359 kg) before applying the formulas, because the coefficients are defined in kilograms.