Wilks Calculator
Compare powerlifting strength across body weights with the Wilks score.
This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial, medical, legal, or engineering advice. See Terms of Service.
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The Wilks score normalizes powerlifting totals across different body weights so athletes can compare their relative strength. Here is how to use it:
- Choose your unit. Select pounds or kilograms. All weights are converted to kg internally since the Wilks formula uses metric values.
- Select your sex. The male and female Wilks coefficients use different polynomial constants reflecting physiological differences in strength potential.
- Enter your bodyweight. Use your competition or weigh-in bodyweight, not your everyday body weight if they differ.
- Enter your competition total. This is the sum of your best successful squat, bench press, and deadlift attempts in a sanctioned meet, or your gym total for training comparison.
- Read your Wilks score. Higher is better. The formula multiplies your total by a coefficient that increases for lighter lifters (who are expected to lift proportionally more relative to body weight).
About the Wilks Formula
The Wilks coefficient was developed by Robert Wilks of Powerlifting Australia. It uses a fifth-degree polynomial regression fitted to world record data across body weight classes to generate a multiplier that levels the playing field across weight categories. A Wilks score above 500 is generally considered elite. Scores of 300 to 400 represent solid competitive lifting. Beginners typically score 150 to 250.
Note: The IPF (International Powerlifting Federation) replaced the Wilks formula with the IPF GL Points formula in 2019, but Wilks remains widely used in raw powerlifting and informal settings. This calculator uses the original Wilks formula.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good Wilks score?
Wilks score benchmarks vary by federation and era, but general guidelines for raw powerlifting are: below 200 is recreational, 200 to 300 is novice to intermediate, 300 to 400 is competitive club level, 400 to 500 is national level, and above 500 is elite or world-class. The all-time male raw record belongs to Ray Williams with a Wilks over 600. Female records approach 550. These benchmarks differ for equipped powerlifting where scores are notably higher due to gear assistance.
How is the Wilks score calculated?
The Wilks score equals your total in kg multiplied by the Wilks coefficient. The coefficient is 500 divided by a polynomial in your bodyweight in kg: (a + b×x + c×x² + d×x³ + e×x⁴ + f×x⁵) where x is bodyweight in kg and the constants differ for males and females. The constants were derived by Robert Wilks using regression analysis of world record totals across body weight categories to create a single normalized score.
What replaced the Wilks formula?
The IPF adopted IPF GL (Good Lift) Points in 2019 to address perceived flaws in the original Wilks formula, particularly its inaccuracy at extreme body weights. Other systems include DOTS (Dots Points) and Reshel. Each formula reflects different assumptions about how strength scales with body weight. Wilks remains the most familiar and is still used by many national federations, online lifting communities, and for comparing gym totals.
Can I use Wilks for individual lifts instead of the total?
Yes, Wilks can be applied to a single lift (squat only, bench only, or deadlift only) by entering that lift's weight as the "total." This is common for bench press competitions or comparing squat or deadlift strength between athletes. The resulting score is lower than a full powerlifting total Wilks, but the relative ranking between athletes is still meaningful. Some communities use separate benchmarks for single-lift Wilks scores.