Barbell Plate Calculator
No more mental math between sets. Enter your target weight — see exactly which plates go on each side of the bar.
How it works
The calculator subtracts the bar weight, halves the remainder, and fills each side greedily from the heaviest plate down — the same way you'd rack it at the gym. Standard sets are used: 25/20/15/10/5/2.5/1.25 kg or 45/35/25/10/5/2.5 lb.
Loading tips
Put the heaviest plates on first and keep both sides symmetric as you load — a bar loaded 40 kg on one side and empty on the other will tip off the rack. Collars add about 0.5 kg total on most gym bars, which is inside the noise for tracking purposes.
FAQ
How does plate math work?
Subtract the bar from your target weight, divide by two, and load that on each side. 100 kg on a 20 kg bar means 40 kg per side — one 25 and one 15, or a 20, a 15, and a 5.
How much does a barbell weigh?
A standard Olympic bar is 20 kg (45 lb). Women's competition bars are 15 kg (35 lb), and many gyms have 10 kg technique bars. Check the end cap if you're unsure.
Why can't I load my exact target?
Plate sets have a smallest increment — usually 1.25 kg or 2.5 lb per plate, meaning jumps of 2.5 kg / 5 lb total. If your target lands between loadable weights, the calculator shows the closest one below it.
What are microplates?
Fractional plates of 0.25-1 kg that let you progress in smaller jumps. They're the cheapest way to keep adding weight to slow-progressing lifts like the overhead press.
Related
Buffro does this at the gym
The plate calculator is built into every set you log — along with rest timers, warm-up math, and your strength ranks.