Wilks Score Calculator
Compare powerlifting strength across bodyweights.
Your competition total or a single lift, in kilograms.
Results update as you type.
How it works
The Wilks score is powerlifting's answer to a hard question: how do you compare the strength of a 60-kilogram lifter with that of a 120-kilogram lifter when the heavier athlete will almost always lift more in absolute terms? This calculator computes it from your bodyweight, the total you lifted, and your sex, returning a single points figure that allows fair comparison across every weight class. Heavier people can generally lift more, but not in direct proportion to their extra mass, so raw totals favour the biggest athletes. The Wilks formula corrects for this by scaling your lift with a coefficient derived from a fifth-order polynomial fitted to elite performance data, with separate constants for men and women. A lighter lifter earns a higher coefficient, so a modest absolute total from a small athlete can outscore a larger total from a heavy one, reflecting relative strength. The result is widely used to decide best-lifter awards at meets, to rank athletes across categories, and to let individuals track their own progress as bodyweight fluctuates. A score around 300 marks a solid intermediate lifter, 400 is advanced, and elite competitors push past 500. Because it isolates strength relative to size, the Wilks score is a fairer benchmark of pound-for-pound ability than any raw total, and this calculator makes it instantly available for training logs and competition planning.
Wilks = lifted (kg) × 500 ÷ (a + b·w + c·w² + d·w³ + e·w⁴ + f·w⁵)
The Wilks score multiplies the weight lifted by a coefficient that depends on the lifter's bodyweight through a fifth-order polynomial, with separate constants for men and women. The polynomial in the denominator models how raw strength rises with bodyweight but at a diminishing rate, so lighter lifters get a larger coefficient to level the field. Multiplying the total by five hundred over that polynomial produces a single number that lets lifters of any size be ranked fairly.
Source:Wilks coefficient (powerlifting)
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter body weight, total lifted and sex.
- 2
Adjust the options
Fine-tune any options to match your situation.
- 3
Read your result
Wilks score updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Wilks score actually measure?
The Wilks score measures strength relative to bodyweight, letting lifters of different sizes be compared fairly. Because heavier athletes naturally lift more in absolute terms, a raw total rewards size as much as strength. The Wilks coefficient scales each lift by a factor based on bodyweight, so the number reflects pound-for-pound ability. A higher Wilks score means you are stronger for your size, regardless of which weight class you compete in.
Why are the coefficients different for men and women?
Men and women differ in average muscle mass and strength relative to bodyweight, so a single formula would not compare them fairly. The Wilks system uses separate sets of polynomial constants, each fitted to elite performance data for that sex, so scores are calibrated within each group. This lets a female lifter's score be compared meaningfully with a male lifter's, since both are measured against the appropriate standard for their sex.
Should I enter a single lift or my full total?
You can enter either, as long as you interpret the result consistently. In competition the Wilks score is usually applied to the powerlifting total, the combined best squat, bench press, and deadlift. If you enter a single lift instead, the score reflects that lift's strength for your bodyweight rather than overall powerlifting standing. For comparing against published Wilks benchmarks and best-lifter awards, use your full three-lift total.
What is considered a good Wilks score?
Rough guidelines place a novice around 200, a solid intermediate near 300, an advanced lifter around 400, and elite competitors above 500, with world-class totals pushing well beyond. These bands vary by sex and federation, so treat them as approximate. The most useful comparison is against your own past scores: a rising Wilks as your total climbs or your bodyweight holds steady is clear proof your relative strength is improving.
Is Wilks the only scoring system in powerlifting?
No. Several systems exist, including the older Wilks formula used here, an updated Wilks revision, and the IPF GL points now used by some federations. Each uses different coefficients and can rank borderline cases slightly differently. The classic Wilks score remains widely recognised and is excellent for tracking personal progress and informal comparison. Check which system your federation uses if you need an official competition score for rankings or awards.