What is considered a good Wilks score?

Rough guidelines for men: 250+ novice, 300+ intermediate, 350+ advanced, 400+ elite, 450+ world-class. For women: 200+ novice, 250+ intermediate, 300+ advanced, 350+ elite, 400+ world-class. Standards vary by federation and era, but these ranges are commonly used.

Does this calculator use the original Wilks formula?

Yes. This calculator uses the original Wilks coefficients published by Robert Wilks and used historically by the IPF and many federations. It supports both male and female coefficients and accepts bodyweight and total in kilograms or pounds.

Should I enter my lifts in kilograms or pounds?

You can choose either kilograms or pounds. The Wilks formula is defined in kilograms, so if you enter pounds the calculator converts them internally to kilograms before computing your coefficient and score.

Is Wilks still used in competitions?

Some federations have moved to newer formulas such as IPF Points or DOTS, but Wilks is still widely used in local meets, gym leaderboards, and historical comparisons. Knowing your Wilks score is still useful for comparing strength across bodyweights.

Wilks Score Calculator

Compare powerlifting strength across bodyweights using the original Wilks coefficient. Supports kg and lb, male and female lifters.

Wilks score calculator

Sex

Male Female

Units

Kilograms (kg) Pounds (lb)

Bodyweight (kg)

Use your competition bodyweight or current scale weight.

Powerlifting total (kg)

Squat + bench press + deadlift. You can also enter a single lift if you prefer.

Results

Wilks coefficient: –
Wilks score: –
Strength level: –

Based on the original Wilks formula (Robert Wilks). Values are rounded to 2 decimal places.

Try some example lifters

What is the Wilks score?

The Wilks score is a powerlifting coefficient that lets you compare lifters of different bodyweights. It takes your bodyweight and your powerlifting total (squat + bench press + deadlift) and produces a single number that represents how strong you are relative to your body size.

The formula was created by Robert Wilks and used for many years by the IPF and other federations to rank lifters for best lifter awards and records across weight classes.

Wilks formula (original coefficients)

The original Wilks formula uses a 5th‑order polynomial in bodyweight to compute a coefficient. Your Wilks score is:

Wilks score = coefficient × total

Coefficient = 500 / (a + b·W + c·W² + d·W³ + e·W⁴ + f·W⁵)

Where:

W = bodyweight in kilograms
total = powerlifting total in kilograms
a, b, c, d, e, f = sex‑specific coefficients

Male coefficients:

a = -216.0475144
b =  16.2606339
c = -0.002388645
d = -0.00113732
e =  0.00000701863
f = -0.00000001291

Female coefficients:

a = 594.31747775582
b = -27.23842536447
c =  0.82112226871
d = -0.00930733913
e =  0.00004731582
f = -0.00000009054

How to use this Wilks calculator

Select your sex. The Wilks coefficients are different for male and female lifters.
Choose units. You can work in kilograms or pounds. Internally, everything is converted to kg.
Enter your bodyweight. Use your competition bodyweight or current scale weight.
Enter your total. Add your best squat, bench press, and deadlift. You can also enter a single lift if you just want to compare that lift.
Click “Calculate Wilks score”. The tool will show your coefficient, Wilks score, and an approximate strength level.

What is a good Wilks score?

There is no universal standard, but the table below gives rough guidelines based on common community benchmarks and historical discussions (for example, on powerlifting forums and Reddit).

Approximate Wilks score standards

Level	Men (Wilks)	Women (Wilks)	Description
Beginner	< 250	< 200	New to lifting or training casually.
Novice	250–299	200–249	Solid base strength, could compete locally.
Intermediate	300–349	250–299	Competitive at local meets; above average gym strength.
Advanced	350–399	300–349	Strong competitive lifter; often placing at meets.
Elite	400–449	350–399	National‑level strength; very strong relative to bodyweight.
World‑class	450+	400+	Among the strongest lifters in the world for your weight class.

These ranges are approximate and not official standards. Different federations and eras may use slightly different cut‑offs.

Limitations of the Wilks formula

Based on older data. The coefficients were fitted to historical results and may not perfectly reflect modern lifter populations.
Sex‑specific only. It does not account for age, equipment (raw vs equipped), or drug‑tested vs non‑tested divisions.
Replaced in some federations. Many federations now use IPF Points or DOTS, which attempt to fix some of Wilks’ statistical issues.

Despite these limitations, Wilks is still useful for gym comparisons, historical records, and many local meets.

Tips for improving your Wilks score

Increase your total with structured programming (e.g., periodized squat/bench/deadlift training).
Optimize bodyweight so you are lean and muscular for your class, not just heavier.
Peak for competition so your best lifts happen at the same time and bodyweight.
Focus on technique to make your lifts more efficient and safer at higher intensities.

Wilks score FAQ

What is a Wilks score?

The Wilks score is a coefficient‑based measure of powerlifting strength that adjusts for bodyweight. It lets you compare lifters of different sizes on a fairer basis than raw totals alone.

Is a higher Wilks score always better?

Yes. For a given sex, a higher Wilks score means you are lifting more weight relative to your bodyweight. It’s common to track your best Wilks score over time as a measure of long‑term progress.

Can I use this calculator for single lifts?

Yes. The formula only needs bodyweight and a total in kilograms. If you want to compare just your squat or deadlift, enter that lift as the “total” and interpret the score as a single‑lift Wilks.

Does this support IPF Points or DOTS?

This tool focuses on the original Wilks formula. Some federations now use IPF Points or DOTS instead. If you need those, look for calculators specifically labeled “IPF Points” or “DOTS”.