Plate calculator.

Know exactly what goes on each side of the bar. Enter the weight you want and tick the plates your gym has.

How it works

Half the load, heaviest plates first.

Take the bar (and collars) off the target, halve what's left, and load each side heaviest first. The calculator finds the fewest plates that make that weight exactly from the plates you ticked.

Per side = (target − bar − 2 × collar) ÷ 2

Example: 142.5 kg on a 20 kg bar is 61.25 kg a side: 25 + 25 + 10 + 1.25.

The default kg set is the competition set in the IPF rules: 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, 2.5 and 1.25 kg discs, with lighter change plates allowed for records. In competition the bar and its two collars weigh 25 kg together, so tick collars to match a meet.

Limits

Gym plates are often a little off their stamped weight. Calibrated plates are within 0.25%.
Bars vary. Check yours: technique bars and some women's bars are lighter than 20 kg.