IPF GL Points & DOTS Calculator
Calculate your official International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) GL points for Classic (Raw) or Equipped competitions, with side-by-side DOTS score comparison.
Standard: IPF Technical Rules & GL Points Formula (2020 Revision) • Checked 24 Aug 2026Competition Category
How the official IPF GL formula is calculated
In 2019–2020, the International Powerlifting Federation replaced the older Wilks and IPF Points systems with the IPF GL Points formula, developed by an international team of sports scientists. It employs an exponential decay curve to model strength progression across bodyweight classes.
Official IPF GL Parameter Coefficients (2020 Revision)
| Division | Sex | A | B | C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Full Power | Male | 1199.72839 | 1025.18162 | 0.009210 |
| Classic Full Power | Female | 610.32796 | 1045.59282 | 0.030480 |
| Equipped Full Power | Male | 1236.25191 | 1443.35294 | 0.016440 |
| Equipped Full Power | Female | 758.63878 | 949.31382 | 0.024350 |
| Classic Bench Only | Male | 320.98041 | 280.74990 | 0.007840 |
| Classic Bench Only | Female | 142.40838 | 185.45426 | 0.018020 |
Accuracy notes and federation standards
IPF GL points are valid strictly for lifts performed under IPF technical rules with approved equipment (calibrated plates, approved singlets, sleeves/wraps) and judged by certified national or international referees.
Worked example: 83 kg male Classic with 650 kg total
- Constants:
A = 1199.72839, B = 1025.18162, C = 0.009210 - Exponential term:
e^(-0.009210 × 83) = e^(-0.76443) = 0.465597 - Denominator:
1199.72839 − (1025.18162 × 0.465597) = 1199.72839 − 477.321 = 722.407 - Calculate GL Points:
650 × 100 / 722.407 = 65000 / 722.407 = 89.98 points
The same 83 kg / 650 kg lifter scores 438.8 DOTS — a completely different number on a completely different scale. That is expected: IPF GL is anchored to 100, DOTS to 500. The two are never interchangeable, which is the whole point of showing them together.
IPF GL point classifications (Classic Full Power)
| IPF GL Points | Standard Category | Competitive Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ≥ 110.0 | World Champion | IPF World Open Gold / World Record pace |
| 100.0 – 109.9 | World Championship Podium | International World Championship contender |
| 90.0 – 99.9 | National Elite | National Championship podium level |
| 80.0 – 89.9 | Advanced Regional | High-level state / regional competitor |
| 70.0 – 79.9 | Intermediate Club | Dedicated club-level powerlifter |
| < 70.0 | Novice | Amateur / first-time competitor |
Related strength calculators
Wilks Calculator
Get the third scoring system — the Wilks score — for the same total and bodyweight.
Wilks vs DOTS vs IPF GL points
Which system flatters your bodyweight, why the IPF switched, and why you can't convert between them.
Frequently asked questions
Why did the IPF switch from Wilks to IPF GL?
The Wilks curve was built from data gathered decades earlier, and the IPF judged it no longer scored fairly across all weight classes as the sport's population and equipment evolved. IPF GL points were refitted against thousands of modern drug-tested IPF results and became the official metric in 2019 (2020 Technical Rules).
What is a good IPF GL score?
For Classic full power, roughly: under 70 novice, 70–80 a dedicated club lifter, 80–90 a strong regional competitor, 90–100 national-podium level, and 100+ international-podium to world-class. Approximate bands, not official cut-offs — see the classification table above.
What is a DOTS score, and how does it differ from IPF GL?
DOTS is a 4th-degree polynomial system used by many non-IPF federations (USPA, WRPF). It sits on a ~500 scale while IPF GL sits on a ~100 scale, so the two are never interchangeable. This page shows both from the same total; for a full breakdown see Wilks vs DOTS vs IPF GL points.
Does the IPF use DOTS?
No. The IPF scores its own meets with IPF GL points. DOTS appears here only as a cross-reference because it is common elsewhere in the sport.
Can I compare a bench-only score with a full-power score?
No. Bench-only events use their own IPF GL coefficients, so a bench-only score is only comparable with other bench-only scores, not with three-lift totals.
Sources
- International Powerlifting Federation — IPF GL Points formula and A/B/C coefficients (IPF Technical Rules, 2020 revision). Checked 24 Aug 2026.
- OpenPowerlifting — scoring formulas FAQ — reference for the DOTS 4th-degree polynomial coefficients used in the DOTS comparison. Checked 24 Aug 2026.
- Worked example and score bands were computed by ScoreIndexer from the published formulas; the classification bands are approximate guidance, not official IPF cut-offs.