How to use the barbell plate calculator
- Choose pounds or kilograms, then enter the total weight you want on the bar, including the bar.
- Check the bar weight. The default is 45 pounds or 20 kilograms, so change it if your bar is different.
- List the plates you own, separated by commas. The tool assumes you have as many of each size as you need, in pairs.
- Read what to load on each side. If the weight cannot be made, the tool loads the closest total below it and names the closest one above.
Formula
Weight per side = (total weight - bar weight) / 2
Find the combination of your plate sizes that sums to the weight per side with the fewest plates
Loaded total = bar weight + 2 x weight per side
The search tries every combination to the nearest 0.01, so it always finds the fewest plates, even for plate sets where picking the biggest plate first would fail.
Worked example
To lift 225 lb on a 45 lb bar, each side needs (225 - 45) / 2 = 90 lb, which is two 45 lb plates per side.
For 185 lb each side holds 70 lb, which is a 45 and a 25. For 155 lb it is 55 lb, a 45 and a 10, which is fewer plates than 25 + 25 + 5.
Some totals cannot be made. With the default plates 137 lb needs 46 lb a side, so the tool loads 45 lb a side for 135 lb and tells you the next total, 140 lb, uses a 45 and a 2.5.
Loading the bar
Put the heaviest plates closest to the center and the lightest on the outside, the same on both sides, so the bar stays balanced. Use collars if your gym provides them, and do not count them in the weight unless they are heavy.
Different bars and plate sets
Men's Olympic bars are commonly 20 kilograms or 45 pounds, and women's bars are lighter. Technique bars, safety squat bars and trap bars vary a lot. Check the weight stamped on yours and enter it. Gyms also differ in the smallest plate they have, which limits the totals you can make, and the plate list lets you try other sets.
Planning a warmup
If you know your working weight, you can use this tool to load each warmup step. To estimate a weight from a recent set, use the one rep max calculator. For converting between pounds and kilograms, use the unit converter.
Assumptions and limits
- You own pairs of every plate size listed, in any quantity.
- Both sides are loaded the same, so the total is the bar plus two equal stacks.
- Collars, bar bend and differences between stamped and real plate weights are not included.
- Plate sizes can be any number from 0.25 to 100, with up to 15 sizes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a standard barbell weigh?
A common men's Olympic bar weighs 45 pounds, or 20 kilograms. Women's bars and specialty bars are lighter or heavier, so check the stamp on the sleeve and enter the real weight.
How do I find the weight to load on each side?
Subtract the bar weight from the total and divide by two. Then fill that weight per side with plates. The calculator does the plate choice for you.
What if I do not have small plates?
Remove the sizes you do not have from the list. The tool then finds the closest totals it can make and tells you the nearest ones above and below your target.
Why does it use more small plates than I expected?
It looks for the fewest plates in total. If your list lacks a size, it may need several smaller ones to reach the weight, and for some weights the fewest plates is a surprising mix.