Calculator
Barbell Plate Loading Calculator
Enter a target weight and this tool tells you exactly which plates go on each side, using the plates you actually have available.
Available plates (per side)
Uncheck any plates you do not own so the greedy pass only uses your inventory.
Plates per side
Total barbell weight
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Bar path preview
Plate stack visualization
Per-side load
Choose a target load and available plates to render the stack preview.
How to Read a Plate Loading Result
The math behind any barbell is simple. Take your target weight, subtract the weight of the bar, then divide what remains by two. That number is the weight you load on each side. The calculator above does this automatically and always loads the largest plates first, but it helps to understand the arithmetic so you can sanity-check the bar before you lift.
Worked example: you want 225 lb on a 45 lb Olympic bar. Subtract the bar and you have 180 lb of plates to add. Divide by two and each side needs 90 lb, which is two 45 lb plates per side. The same logic in kilograms gives 100 kg on a 20 kg bar as two 20 kg plates per side.
Common Barbell Loadouts
These charts assume a standard 45 lb or 20 kg Olympic bar. Each row shows the plates to load on each side of the bar to reach the total. If you load in kilos, start with the kilogram chart; it is the same math as a bar loading chart or kilo plate loading chart.
Pounds — 45 lb bar
| Total | Per side |
|---|---|
| 95 lb | 25 |
| 135 lb | 45 |
| 185 lb | 45, 25 |
| 225 lb | 45, 45 |
| 275 lb | 45, 45, 25 |
| 315 lb | 45, 45, 45 |
| 365 lb | 45, 45, 45, 25 |
| 405 lb | 45, 45, 45, 45 |
Kilograms — 20 kg bar
| Total | Per side |
|---|---|
| 40 kg | 10 |
| 60 kg | 20 |
| 80 kg | 20, 10 |
| 100 kg | 20, 20 |
| 140 kg | 20, 20, 20 |
| 160 kg | 25, 25, 20 |
| 180 kg | 20, 20, 20, 20 |
| 220 kg | 25, 25, 25, 25 |
Standard Bar and Collar Weights
The bar is part of the load, so pick the right bar weight above before you calculate. These are the common bars and collars you will meet in most gyms.
| Equipment | lb | kg |
|---|---|---|
| Men's Olympic barbell | 45 lb | 20 kg |
| Women's Olympic barbell | 33 lb | 15 kg |
| Training / technique bar | 22 lb | 10 kg |
| Standard 1-inch bar | ~15 to 25 lb | ~7 to 11 kg |
| Pair of spring collars | negligible | negligible |
| Pair of competition collars | 11 lb | 5 kg |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate what plates to load on a barbell?
Subtract the bar weight from your target, then divide by two to get the weight per side. Load that weight with the largest plates first. For example a 225 lb target on a 45 lb bar leaves 180 lb of plates, which is 90 lb per side, loaded as two 45 lb plates each side.
How much does a standard barbell weigh?
A men's Olympic barbell weighs 45 lb or 20 kg. A women's Olympic barbell weighs 33 lb or 15 kg. Lighter training bars are typically 22 lb or 10 kg. Always include the bar weight when you calculate your total.
What plates make 225 lb on a barbell?
Two 45 lb plates on each side of a 45 lb bar make 225 lb. The bar is 45 lb and the four plates add 180 lb for a 225 lb total. In kilograms, two 20 kg plates per side on a 20 kg bar make 100 kg.
Do I count the weight of the bar and collars?
Yes. The bar is part of the total load, so always add it in. Spring collars are light enough to ignore, but competition collars weigh 5 kg or 11 lb for the pair and should be counted when you load heavy.