LiftonicBarbell plate calculator
Enter the total weight you want on the bar and this shows which plates go on each side. It works in kg and lb, with any bar and only the plates your gym has.
How it works
The calculator takes away the weight of the bar, splits what's left evenly between the two sides, and fills each side with the fewest plates from the ones you ticked, heaviest first. If your plates can't make the exact weight, it shows the heaviest load you can make that doesn't go over your target.
Collars aren't counted. Spring collars weigh almost nothing, but competition collars weigh 2.5 kg each, so if you use them, add 5 kg to the bar weight.
Plates for common weights
These are the loads for a standard full plate set. On a 20 kg bar, 100 kg is a 25 kg and a 15 kg plate on each side. On a 45 lb bar, 225 lb is two 45 lb plates on each side.
| Total | Bar | Each side |
|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 20 kg | 20 |
| 80 kg | 20 kg | 25 + 5 |
| 100 kg | 20 kg | 25 + 15 |
| 140 kg | 20 kg | 25 + 25 + 10 |
| 180 kg | 20 kg | 25 + 25 + 25 + 5 |
| 135 lb | 45 lb | 45 |
| 185 lb | 45 lb | 45 + 25 |
| 225 lb | 45 lb | 45 + 45 |
| 315 lb | 45 lb | 45 + 45 + 45 |
| 405 lb | 45 lb | 45 + 45 + 45 + 45 |
Questions
How much does a barbell weigh?
A men's Olympic barbell weighs 20 kg (44 lb) and a women's weighs 15 kg (33 lb). Most US gyms label their standard bar as 45 lb. Technique bars and EZ bars are lighter, so check yours.
What plates do I need for 100 kg?
On a 20 kg bar, put a 25 kg and a 15 kg plate on each side. Without 15s, use 20 + 20 per side for 100 kg as well.
Why can't the calculator make my exact weight?
Every jump has to be split across two sides, so the smallest change you can make is twice your smallest plate. With 1.25 kg plates that is 2.5 kg; with 2.5 lb plates it is 5 lb. Tick fractional plates if your gym has them.
Do collars count toward the weight?
Spring clips weigh so little they can be ignored. Competition collars weigh 2.5 kg each, which adds 5 kg to the bar, so add that to the bar weight if you use them.
Link to this calculator
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