Calculate your Wilks coefficient, the powerlifting standard for comparing strength fairly across different bodyweights. See where you rank and what it takes to reach the next level.
Free to use
Squat, bench & deadlift
Classification ranking
Next level targets
Wilks Score Calculator
Powerlifting strength normalised for bodyweight
kg
Squat
kg, 1RM
Bench Press
kg, 1RM
Deadlift
kg, 1RM
You can calculate Wilks for any individual lift or enter all three for your powerlifting total.
Wilks Score (Total)
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points
Powerlifting total—
Wilks coefficient—
Total ÷ bodyweight—
Classification—
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Squat
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Bench Press
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—
Deadlift
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Wilks Classification Scale
0100200300400500600+
Untrained
0–99
Novice
100–199
Intermediate
200–299
Advanced
300–399
Elite
400–499
World Class
500+
Lift Contribution Breakdown
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—
—
pts needed
The Wilks score was developed by Robert Wilks and is used by powerlifting federations worldwide to compare lifters across weight classes. A score above 300 is considered competitive at a local level; above 400 is national-level competitive.
The Guide
What Is the Wilks Score & How Is It Calculated?
The Wilks score (or Wilks coefficient) is a formula used in powerlifting to compare the relative strength of lifters of different bodyweights. A heavier lifter will always lift more in absolute terms, but the Wilks score normalises for bodyweight, so a 60kg lifter and a 100kg lifter can be meaningfully compared on the same scale.
It was developed by Australian powerlifter and mathematician Robert Wilks and has been the standard in powerlifting federations since the 1990s. Your Wilks score is calculated by multiplying your total lifted weight by a coefficient derived from your bodyweight using a 5th-degree polynomial equation.
The Wilks Formula
The coefficient is calculated using the formula: Coefficient = 500 ÷ (a + bx + cx² + dx³ + ex4 + fx5) where x is bodyweight in kg and the constants differ by sex.
Constant
Male
Female
a
-216.0475144
594.31747775582
b
16.2606339
-27.23842536447
c
-0.002388645
0.82112226871
d
-0.00113732
-0.00930733913
e
7.01863E-06
4.731582E-05
f
-1.291E-08
-9.054E-08
Wilks Score Classifications
Classification
Wilks Score
Context
Untrained
0 – 99
Just starting out, no structured training
Novice
100 – 199
Consistent training, building base strength
Intermediate
200 – 299
Serious lifter, competitive at club level
Advanced
300 – 399
Competitive at local/regional meets
Elite
400 – 499
Competitive at national level
World Class
500+
Top national or international competitors
Is the Wilks Score Still Used?
The Wilks score remains widely used but has been supplemented by newer formulas. The IPF Points (GL Points) formula was introduced in 2019 by the International Powerlifting Federation and is now used in IPF-affiliated competitions. The DOTS score is another alternative developed in 2020. For general strength comparison outside of competition, Wilks remains the most recognised and widely understood metric.
Frequently Asked Questions
For natural (drug-free) lifters, a Wilks score of 300+ is considered competitive at a local level, 350+ at a regional level, and 400+ at a national level. Most recreational strength trainers will fall in the 150–280 range after a few years of consistent training. Elite natural powerlifters typically score 400–450, with world-class naturals approaching 500.
This has been a point of debate. The original Wilks formula was criticised for slightly favouring heavier weight classes. The newer IPF GL Points formula was developed specifically to address this imbalance. For casual comparison purposes, the difference is minor, Wilks is still a far better comparison tool than comparing raw totals across weight classes.
Yes, you can calculate a Wilks score for any individual lift or combination of lifts. It's commonly used to compare people's deadlift or squat across different bodyweights even outside of formal powerlifting. Just enter the total weight lifted and your bodyweight.
Both serve the same purpose, normalising strength for bodyweight. IPF Points (GL formula) replaced Wilks in IPF competition in 2019 because it was found to more accurately equalise across weight classes using updated data. For everyday use, both formulas produce similar results and Wilks remains more widely recognised outside competition settings.
