Wilks Score Calculator

Calculate your Wilks score to compare your strength relative to other powerlifters, regardless of body weight and gender.

How to Use This Calculator

Enter your body weight in kilograms
Enter your total lifted weight (squat + bench + deadlift) in kilograms
Select your gender
Click Calculate to see your Wilks score

Formula Used

Wilks Score = Total Lifted × Coefficient

Where:

Total Lifted = Sum of squat, bench press, and deadlift weights
Coefficient = 500 / (a + b×BW + c×BW² + d×BW³ + e×BW⁴ + f×BW⁵)
BW = Body weight in kg
a, b, c, d, e, f = Gender-specific coefficients

Example Calculation

Real-World Scenario:

A male powerlifter weighing 90kg who lifted a total of 700kg (squat: 250kg, bench: 180kg, deadlift: 270kg)

Given:

Body Weight = 90 kg
Total Lifted = 700 kg
Gender = Male

Calculation:

Using the male coefficients, the coefficient for 90kg is approximately 0.615

Wilks Score = 700 kg × 0.615 = 430.5

Result: A Wilks score of 430.5, which indicates a high level of strength relative to body weight

Why This Calculation Matters

Practical Applications

Comparing strength levels between lifters of different body weights
Ranking lifters in powerlifting competitions
Tracking personal strength progress over time

Key Benefits

Standardizes strength measurements across different body weights
Accounts for physiological differences between genders
Provides an objective measure of relative strength

Common Mistakes & Tips

The Wilks formula is designed to work with kilograms. If you've measured your weights in pounds, convert them by dividing by 2.205 before entering them into the calculator.

The Wilks score is calculated based on your total lifted weight (squat + bench press + deadlift), not just your best single lift. Make sure to enter the sum of all three lifts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wilks scores typically range from 200 to 600+ for competitive powerlifters. A score of 300-350 is generally considered good for recreational lifters, while 400+ indicates elite-level strength. The world record holders often have scores exceeding 600.

The Wilks formula was developed by Robert Wilks, CEO of Powerlifting Australia. It was adopted by the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) in 1997 as the standard method for comparing lifters across different body weight classes.

No, there are other formulas like the Glossbrenner, NASA, and Schwartz-Malone formulas. However, the Wilks formula is the most widely used in international powerlifting competitions. Each formula has its own approach to normalizing strength across body weights.

References & Disclaimer

Sports & Fitness Disclaimer

This calculator is for informational purposes only. The Wilks score is one method of comparing strength levels but should not be used as the sole measure of athletic ability or fitness. Always consult with qualified professionals for training advice and competition preparation.

References

Wilks Coefficient - Wikipedia - Overview of the Wilks formula and its history
International Powerlifting Federation - Official governing body that uses the Wilks formula
Powerlifting Australia - Wilks Formula - Detailed explanation of the formula and coefficients

Accuracy Notice

This calculator uses the official Wilks formula coefficients as adopted by the IPF. The formula has been updated several times, with the most recent version being used here. Results may vary slightly if comparing with calculators using older versions of the formula.

About the Author

Kumaravel Madhavan

Web developer and data researcher creating accurate, easy-to-use calculators across health, finance, education, and construction and more. Works with subject-matter experts to ensure formulas meet trusted standards like WHO, NIH, and ISO.

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