Barbell Plate Calculator
No more mental math between sets. Enter your target weight to 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 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 left empty on the other can tip off the rack. Collars add about 0.5 kg total on most gym bars, which is inside the noise for tracking purposes.
Worked plate examples
For 100 kg on a 20 kg bar, 80 kg remains for plates, or 40 kg per side: one 20 kg plate plus one 15 kg and one 5 kg plate on each side. For 225 lb on a 45 lb bar, load 90 lb per side, which is two 45 lb plates.
If the exact target cannot be built from the available plates, use the closest lower load and record what is actually on the bar. Honest small jumps make progressive overload easier to measure than rounding up.
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.
Does the target weight include the bar?
Yes. Enter the total weight you want to lift, including the bar. The calculator subtracts your selected bar before dividing the remaining plate weight between the two sides.