Plate Calculator
What goes on each side of the bar.
Per side
Loads to 100 kg
Assumes a symmetrically loaded bar and the plate sizes a commercial gym normally stocks.
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out which plates to put on the bar? ▼
Subtract the bar from your target weight and halve what is left: that is the weight per side. Then load the heaviest plate that still fits and work down. 100 kg on a 20 kg bar is 40 kg per side, so one 25 and one 15.
How much does a barbell weigh? ▼
A standard men's Olympic bar weighs 20 kg, and the women's bar 15 kg. In pounds the usual figures are 45 lb and 35 lb. Technique bars, EZ bars and some fixed-weight bars are lighter, so check before you load.
Why can it not make my exact weight? ▼
Plates only come in fixed sizes, and every plate has to go on both sides. With 1.25 kg as the smallest plate, the total moves in 2.5 kg steps (5 lb steps with 2.5 lb plates). Anything in between is rounded down, and the calculator tells you how far short it is.