Free Tool

Plate Calculator

Enter your target weight and bar weight to see exactly which plates to load on each side.

Per side

How barbell plate loading works

To figure out what to load on a barbell, subtract the bar's own weight from your target, then split what's left evenly between both sides. From there, load the biggest plates first and fill in the gaps with smaller ones — that's exactly what this calculator does automatically.

A standard men's Olympic barbell weighs 45 lb (20 kg). Women's Olympic bars are typically 35 lb (15 kg), and many general-training gym bars are lighter still — check your specific bar before assuming 45.

FAQ

How do I calculate plates for a barbell?

Subtract the bar weight from your target weight, then divide by two to get the weight needed per side. Load the largest plates first, then fill in the remainder with smaller plates.

What does a standard barbell weigh?

A standard men's Olympic barbell weighs 45 lb (20 kg). Women's Olympic bars typically weigh 35 lb (15 kg), and many gym bars used for general training weigh less — check your specific bar.

What if I can't hit my exact target weight?

This happens when your target weight isn't reachable with the plates entered, usually because of odd weight increments. The calculator shows the closest weight achievable with standard plates.

Track every lift automatically

Progress logs your sets, tracks PRs, and keeps a full history — no manual math required.

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