Last updated October 12, 2026 · Report an error
A heavier lifter can typically move more total weight than a lighter one, which makes raw totals an unfair way to compare powerlifters of different sizes — the Wilks coefficient solves this by normalizing for bodyweight.
This calculator computes a Wilks score from bodyweight, sex, and total weight lifted, using the original (pre-2020) Wilks polynomial formula.
How it works
Enter your sex, bodyweight, and total weight lifted (the sum of your best squat, bench press, and deadlift). The calculator applies a fifth-degree polynomial of bodyweight, using sex-specific coefficients, to find a multiplier, then multiplies that by your total.
- Enter sex.
- Enter bodyweight (kg).
- Enter total lifted (kg).
- Click Calculate to see your results.
Examples
80 kg male lifting 500 kg total
An 80 kg male lifter with a 500 kg total has a Wilks coefficient of about 0.6827, giving a Wilks score of roughly 341.35.
Who should use it
- Comparing your own lifting progress relative to bodyweight changes over time.
- Ranking or comparing lifters of different sizes in a competition or gym setting.
Industry applications
- Powerlifting and strength sports
- Fitness coaching
Advantages
- Lets lifters of very different bodyweights be compared fairly.
- Uses the original, still widely-referenced Wilks polynomial formula.
Limitations
- Different from the newer Wilks 2020 formula used by some federations, so scores aren't directly comparable across formulas.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Entering weight in the wrong unit (pounds instead of kilograms), which the formula's coefficients are calibrated for.
- Comparing a Wilks 2020 score directly against an original Wilks score from this calculator — the two formulas aren't interchangeable.
Best practices
- Use the total of your best single squat, bench press, and deadlift attempts (from the same competition or session) for the most meaningful comparison.
Tips
- Recalculate your Wilks score whenever your bodyweight changes significantly — because the coefficient depends on bodyweight, the same total can produce a different score at a different weight.