Wilks Calculator

Measure and compare your powerlifting strength across different bodyweights.

Your Wilks Score

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What is a Wilks Calculator?

A wilks calculator is an essential tool in the sport of powerlifting used to compare the relative strength of lifters, regardless of their gender or body weight. Developed by Robert Wilks, the CEO of Powerlifting Australia, the Wilks formula provides a way to score a lifter’s performance on a level playing field. Before its introduction, it was difficult to determine who the stronger lifter was between, for example, a 58 kg female and a 120 kg male. The wilks calculator solves this by generating a “Wilks Score,” a unitless number that represents a lifter’s strength relative to their size.

The core purpose of the calculator is to identify the best lifters across different weight categories. While the person who lifts the most weight in a competition wins their class, the Wilks score is used to determine the overall “best lifter” of the entire event. This makes it an indispensable tool for both competitive powerlifters and enthusiasts who want to track their progress and compare their strength against a universal standard.

Wilks Calculator Formula and Explanation

The wilks calculator uses a polynomial formula to derive a coefficient, which is then multiplied by the total weight lifted (in kilograms). The formula is different for men and women due to physiological differences in strength and body composition.

The formula for the Wilks coefficient is:

Coefficient = 500 / (a + bx + cx² + dx³ + ex⁴ + fx⁵)

Where ‘x’ is the lifter’s body weight in kilograms. The calculated coefficient is then multiplied by the lifter’s total (sum of best squat, bench press, and deadlift) to get the final Wilks Score.

Wilks Formula Coefficients (Original)

Variable	Meaning	Unit	Value (Men)	Value (Women)
x	Lifter’s Body Weight	kg	N/A	N/A
a	Coefficient ‘a’	Unitless	-216.0475144	594.31747775582
b	Coefficient ‘b’	Unitless	16.2606339	-27.23842536447
c	Coefficient ‘c’	Unitless	-0.002388645	0.82112226871
d	Coefficient ‘d’	Unitless	-0.00113732	-0.00930733913
e	Coefficient ‘e’	Unitless	7.01863 x 10⁻⁶	4.731582 x 10⁻⁵
f	Coefficient ‘f’	Unitless	-1.291 x 10⁻⁸	-9.054 x 10⁻⁸

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Practical Examples

To understand how the wilks calculator works, let’s look at two practical examples.

Example 1: Female Lifter

Imagine a female lifter competing at a high level.

• Inputs:
  • Gender: Female
  • Body Weight: 60 kg (approx. 132 lbs)
  • Total Lifted: 400 kg (approx. 882 lbs)
• Calculation: Using the female coefficients, the calculator finds her Wilks Score.
• Result: Her Wilks Score would be approximately 455.1, which is considered an international-level performance.

Example 2: Male Lifter

Now, let’s consider a male lifter in a heavier weight class.

• Inputs:
  • Gender: Male
  • Body Weight: 105 kg (approx. 231 lbs)
  • Total Lifted: 750 kg (approx. 1653 lbs)
• Calculation: The calculator applies the male coefficients to his body weight and total.
• Result: His Wilks Score would be approximately 453.9. Despite lifting significantly more raw weight, his relative strength score is slightly lower than the female lifter’s, demonstrating how the Wilks formula levels the playing field.

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How to Use This Wilks Calculator

Using this calculator is a straightforward process designed to give you quick and accurate results.

1. Select Your Gender: Choose ‘Male’ or ‘Female’ from the first dropdown. The formula is different for each.
2. Choose Your Unit System: Select ‘Metric (kg)’ or ‘Imperial (lbs)’. The input labels will update automatically. If you choose ‘lbs’, the calculator will convert the values to ‘kg’ internally for the calculation.
3. Enter Your Body Weight: Input your precise body weight in the designated field.
4. Enter Your Total Lifted Weight: Input the sum of your best squat, bench press, and deadlift from a competition or mock meet.
5. Review Your Results: The calculator will update in real-time, showing your Wilks Score, a summary of your inputs, and a chart visualizing your strength level.
6. Copy or Reset: Use the ‘Copy Results’ button to save your score or ‘Reset’ to clear the fields and start over.

Key Factors That Affect Your Wilks Score

Several factors directly influence your Wilks score. Understanding them can help you optimize your training and performance.

1. Total Weight Lifted

This is the most direct factor. Increasing your squat, bench, or deadlift total will directly increase your Wilks score, assuming body weight remains constant.

2. Body Weight

Body weight is the other primary variable. The Wilks formula generally favors lighter lifters; a lower body weight results in a higher coefficient, meaning you get more points per kilogram lifted. This is why lifters often cut weight for competitions.

3. Gender

As shown in the formula table, men and women have entirely different sets of coefficients, making gender a critical input for an accurate score.

4. Body Composition

While not a direct input, having a lower body fat percentage at a given body weight means you have more muscle mass. This greater muscle mass is what allows you to lift heavier weights, thereby increasing your total and your Wilks score.

5. Training and Technique

Efficient technique in the three main lifts ensures that you can lift the maximum weight your muscles can produce. Improvements in form can lead to a higher total without any change in body weight, thus boosting your Wilks.

6. Age

While the standard Wilks formula doesn’t account for age, strength potential typically peaks in a lifter’s late 20s to 30s. Other formulas, like the McCulloch or Masters formulas, adjust for age, but Wilks remains the most common standard for open competitions.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is a good Wilks score?

A good score is relative, but general benchmarks exist. A score of 300 is solid for a local lifter, 400+ is national level, and 500+ is considered world-class or elite.

2. How does the unit selection (kg/lbs) work?

The Wilks formula is based on kilograms. This calculator allows you to enter your weights in pounds for convenience. When you select ‘Imperial (lbs)’, the tool automatically converts your body weight and total lifted into kilograms (1 lb = 0.453592 kg) before applying the formula.

3. Is the Wilks calculator still used in competitions?

Yes, while some federations like the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) have transitioned to new formulas like IPF GL Points or DOTS, the Wilks formula is still widely used in many other powerlifting federations around the world.

4. Can I use this for a single lift instead of a total?

Yes. You can enter the weight of a single lift (e.g., your best deadlift) into the “Total Weight Lifted” field to calculate a Wilks score for that specific lift. This can be useful for comparing individual lift strength.

5. Why is my score lower than a lighter person who lifts less?

This is the core function of the Wilks formula. It’s designed to reward relative strength. Lighter lifters receive a higher coefficient, which acts as a multiplier. Therefore, a lighter lifter can achieve a higher score than a heavier lifter, even with a lower raw total, if their strength is greater relative to their body mass.

6. Does the formula favor certain weight classes?

This is a common debate. Some analyses suggest the original Wilks formula may slightly favor lifters in the middle weight classes over those at the extreme ends (very light or super heavyweight). This is one reason why newer formulas have been developed.

7. What is the difference between Wilks and IPF Points?

IPF GL Points are the successor to Wilks within the IPF. The new formula was developed based on more recent competition data and aims to provide a more balanced scoring system across all weight classes and for both classic (raw) and equipped lifting.

8. How often should I calculate my Wilks score?

It’s most useful to calculate your score after a competition or a mock meet where you test your one-rep maxes for all three lifts. Tracking it over time is an excellent way to measure your long-term progress in relative strength.

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