Powerlifting Wilks Calculator
Calculate your Wilks score to compare powerlifting totals fairly across bodyweights and sexes, in kg or lb. Uses the original published Wilks coefficients, with benchmark bands and a note on how Wilks relates to DOTS and IPF GL points.
Formula: Original Wilks Polynomial (5th-degree) • Checked 24 Aug 2026Lifter Parameters
How the Wilks score is calculated
The Wilks formula was developed by Robert Wilks, CEO of Powerlifting Australia, to adjust powerlifting totals for the physiological advantage lighter lifters possess relative to body mass.
The sex-specific published polynomial constants for Original Wilks are:
| Constant | Male Values | Female Values |
|---|---|---|
a |
−216.0475144 | 594.31747775582 |
b |
16.2606339 | −27.23842536447 |
c |
−0.002388645 | 0.82112226871 |
d |
−0.00113732 | −0.00930733913 |
e |
7.01863 × 10⁻⁶ | 4.731582 × 10⁻⁵ |
f |
−1.291 × 10⁻⁸ | −9.054 × 10⁻⁸ |
Which Wilks this uses, and the newer systems
There are now four size-adjusted scoring systems, and their numbers are not interchangeable. This tool uses the original Wilks coefficients — still the most widely referenced in gyms, non-IPF federations and record books. Wilks-2 (2020) is a rescaled revision; DOTS is common in the USPA and WRPF; and IPF GL points is the current official IPF metric. To see DOTS and IPF GL for the same total, use the IPF GL & DOTS calculator, and for how they differ, read Wilks vs DOTS vs IPF GL points.
Worked example: 83 kg male with 600 kg total
- Bodyweight
x = 83.0 kg - Evaluate the 5th-degree polynomial:
denominator = 749.064 - Calculate the coefficient:
500 / 749.064 = 0.66750 - Multiply total by coefficient:
600 × 0.66750 = 400.5 - Final score: 400.5 Wilks
The same lifter with a 650 kg total scores 433.9 Wilks. Because the coefficient is fixed by bodyweight, the score moves in a straight line with the total — every extra kilogram on the bar at 83 kg is worth about 0.67 Wilks points.
Powerlifting Wilks score classifications
| Wilks Score | Classification Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ≥ 500 | World Elite | International IPF World Championship podium standard |
| 450 – 499 | National Elite | National Championship medalist standard |
| 400 – 449 | Advanced | Top-tier regional club competitor |
| 350 – 399 | Intermediate | Dedicated multi-year strength athlete |
| 300 – 349 | Novice | Solid amateur baseline |
| < 300 | Beginner | Early stage powerlifter |
Related strength calculators
IPF GL Points & DOTS Calculator
See the official IPF GL score and DOTS for the same total and bodyweight.
Wilks vs DOTS vs IPF GL points
Which system flatters your bodyweight, and why the scores can't be converted.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Wilks score?
As a rough guide: under 300 is developing, 300–350 a trained amateur, 350–400 a solid multi-year lifter, 400–450 advanced regional, 450–500 national-podium level, and 500+ world-class. These bands apply to the original Wilks formula and are approximate, not official cut-offs.
How is the Wilks score calculated?
Your total in kilograms times a coefficient of 500 / (a 5th-degree polynomial of your bodyweight
in kg), with sex-specific constants. Enter pounds and the tool converts to kilograms first
(1 kg = 2.20462262 lb) — the polynomial is only valid in kilograms.
What is the difference between Wilks, Wilks-2, DOTS and IPF GL?
Four separate systems on different scales, so their scores don't convert into one another. This page uses the original Wilks; Wilks-2 (2020) is a rescaled revision; DOTS is common in non-IPF federations; and IPF GL is the official IPF metric. See the full comparison for which reads highest at your bodyweight.
Does the Wilks score account for age or drug-testing?
No. Wilks adjusts only for bodyweight and sex. It says nothing about age, whether the meet was drug-tested, or whether the lifts were judged legal — it scores the total, not the lifter.
Sources
- Wilks coefficient reference — the original Wilks formula and the men's and women's 5th-degree polynomial constants used by this calculator. Checked 24 Aug 2026.
- OpenPowerlifting — scoring formulas FAQ — how Wilks, DOTS and IPF GL are applied across federations. Checked 24 Aug 2026.
- The worked example and benchmark bands were computed by ScoreIndexer from the published coefficients; the bands are approximate guidance, not official standards.